Language/Italian/Vocabulary/Geography
Hi Italian learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will focus on Italian vocabulary related to geography. You will learn useful words and expressions to help you navigate around Italy or discuss geography topics with native speakers. Don't forget to check out the Find native speakers and ask them any questions you have about Italian vocabulary. Also, make sure to check out our Italian Vocabulary page for more Italian vocabulary resources. Now, let's get started!
Physical Geography[edit | edit source]
When talking about physical geography, we use different terms to describe the features and characteristics of the land.
| Italian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Montagna | mohn-tahn-yah | Mountain |
| Catena montuosa | kah-teh-nah mohn-too-oh-sah | Mountain range |
| Collina | kohl-lee-nah | Hill |
| Fiume | fee-oo-meh | River |
| Lago | lah-goh | Lake |
| Mare | mah-reh | Sea |
| Oceano | oh-cheh-ah-no | Ocean |
| Isola | ee-soh-lah | Island |
Let's see these terms in context:
- Person 1: Guarda quell'isola là in mezzo al mare! (Look at that island there in the middle of the sea!)
- Person 2: Sì, è la Sardegna, la seconda isola più grande del Mediterraneo. (Yes, it's Sardinia, the second largest island in the Mediterranean.)
Regions and Cities[edit | edit source]
Italy is divided into 20 regions, each with its own capital city and unique culture. Here are some useful words and expressions to talk about Italian regions and cities.
| Italian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Regione | reh-joh-neh | Region |
| Città | cheet-tah | City |
| Capoluogo | kah-poh-loh-goh | Capital city |
| Provincia | proh-veen-chyah | Province |
| Comune | koh-moo-neh | Municipality/town |
Let's see these terms in context:
- Person 1: Qual è il capoluogo della Lombardia? (What is the capital city of Lombardy?)
- Person 2: È Milano. (It is Milan.)
- Person 1: Quanti comuni ci sono in Italia? (How many municipalities are there in Italy?)
- Person 2: Ce ne sono oltre 8.000. (There are over 8,000.)
Landmarks and Tourist Attractions[edit | edit source]
Italy is famous for its historic landmarks and tourist attractions, which draw millions of visitors every year. Here are some words and expressions to help you talk about them.
| Italian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Duomo | doo-oh-moh | Cathedral |
| Torre | tor-reh | Tower |
| Castello | kah-stehl-loh | Castle |
| Basilica | bah-zee-lee-kah | Basilica |
| Piazza | pee-ah-tsah | Square |
| Museo | moo-seh-oh | Museum |
Let's see these terms in context:
- Person 1: Vuoi visitare la Torre di Pisa? (Do you want to visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa?)
- Person 2: Sì, è uno dei monumenti più famosi d'Italia. (Yes, it is one of the most famous monuments in Italy.)
- Person 1: Dove si trova la basilica di San Pietro? (Where is St. Peter's Basilica?)
- Person 2: È nel Vaticano, a Roma. (It is in Vatican City, in Rome.)
Famous Mountains[edit | edit source]
Italy is home to some spectacular peaks and mountain ranges that attract hikers and climbers from all over the world. Here are some of the most famous mountains in Italy.
| Italian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Monte Bianco | mohn-teh byahn-ko | Mont Blanc |
| Monte Rosa | mohn-teh roh-zah | Monte Rosa |
| Gran Sasso | grahn sah-soh | Gran Sasso |
| Monte Vettore | mohn-teh veht-toh-reh | Monte Vettore |
| Dolomiti | doh-loh-mee-tee | Dolomites |
Let's see these terms in context:
- Person 1: Qual è la montagna più alta d'Italia? (What is the highest mountain in Italy?)
- Person 2: È il Monte Bianco, che sfiora i 5.000 metri di altezza. (It is Mont Blanc, which touches almost 5,000 meters in height.)
- Person 1: Hai mai fatto trekking sulle Dolomiti? (Have you ever gone trekking in the Dolomites?)
- Person 2: Sì, è uno dei posti più belli del mondo per fare trekking. (Yes, it is one of the most beautiful places in the world for trekking.)
➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Greetings
- Jobs
- Time
- Adjectives in İtalian
- Drinks
- Fruits
- Education
- Feelings and Emotions
- Seasons
- Idiomatic Expressions
Sources[edit | edit source]
- Italian Vocabulary: Geographical Terms
- Geography in Italian: How to Say 114 Beautiful Features of Earth
- Geografia / Geography – a free Italian vocabulary lesson