ieri
/ˈjɛ.ri/masculine
The Italian word for yesterday is ieri.
Ieri is used to refer to the day before today, serving as both a noun and an adverb.
Meaning: day before today (noun)
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable: /ˈjɛ.ri/.
Did you know?
- While ieri refers to the calendar day, Italians often use the phrase l'altro ieri to mean 'the day before yesterday', which literally translates to 'the other yesterday'.
- The word ieri descends directly from the Latin word heri, meaning the language has preserved this specific temporal term for nearly two millennia.
- In Italian literature, 'ieri' is frequently used metaphorically to represent the concept of 'the past' or 'lost youth', rather than just a literal 24-hour period.
Examples in context
- Era in TV ieri.He was on TV yesterday.This example shows how to use ieri to indicate when someone was on TV.Tatoeba #14002437 by Guybrush88, translation #12953297 by Conjuice
- Eri a casa ieri?Were you at home yesterday?This example uses ieri to ask if someone was at home on that day.Tatoeba #410945 by Pharamp, translation #63227 by CK
- Eri a casa ieri.You were at home yesterday.This example uses ieri to state that you were at home on that day.Tatoeba #2255061 by Guybrush88, translation #2254764 by DiePain
- Ho visitato il Colosseo ieri.I visited the Colosseum yesterday.
- Siamo andati al cinema ieri sera.We went to the cinema last night.
- Sono andato a correre ieri mattina.I went for a run yesterday morning.
- Ho fatto una passeggiata ieri.I took a walk yesterday.
- Siamo usciti con i nostri amici ieri sera.We went out with our friends last night.
- 2580 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Martina and Alessandro are talking about a missed meeting.
- MartinaAlessandro, dove eri ieri?Alessandro, where were you yesterday?
- AlessandroEro molto impegnato con il lavoro.I was very busy with work.
- MartinaMi dispiace, ti aspettavo.I'm sorry, I was waiting for you.
- AlessandroScusami, Martina, recupereremo presto.Forgive me, Martina, we will make it up soon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “yesterday” translations and entries ieri, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ieri, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
