In the video below, I am in Mexico City discussing how to say skyscrapers in Italian.
Nel video qui sotto, mi trovo a Città del Messico e spiego come si dice “skyscrapers” in italiano.
Italy is not a country known for skyscrapers, so you are more likely to hear the term outside Italy. In Milan, there are a couple, but in the other cities, there are none, so to speak.
L’Italia non è un paese noto per i grattacieli, quindi è più probabile sentire questo termine al di fuori dei confini italiani. A Milano ce ne sono un paio, ma nelle altre città non ce ne sono, per così dire.
The Italian word for skyscraper is actually a combination of two words, as in English.
grattacielo = skyscraper
grattacieli = skyscrapers
Skyscraper – two parts in Italian
The first part comes from the verb grattare, which primarily means to scratch. But it can also mean to scrape or to grate.
The second part comes from cielo, meaning ‘sky’. A similar word in English that may help you is ‘celestial’.
Keep in mind that the “c” in Italian before an i or an e is pronounced like the “ch” in church. Understanding this pronunciation, as well as the meaning behind the word, will help you recognize and use the term for skyscraper confidently in Italian.
What Does Grattare Mean?
The verb grattare means:
-
to scratch
-
to scrape
-
to grate (in some contexts)
It’s used when something rubs against a surface, usually with a bit of friction.
Infinitive: grattare
English: to scratch / to scrape
Verb type: regular -are verb
Conjugation of Italian Verb Grattare in Present Tense
io gratto / I scratch
tu gratti / (familiar) you scratch
lui / lei gratta / he or she or it scratches / Lei gratta / (formal) you scratch
noi grattiamo / we scratch
voi grattate / you all scratch
loro grattano / they scratch
Expressions with Italian word Cielo
cielo aperto – open sky
toccare il cielo con un dito – to be over the moon
cielo stellato – starry sky
cielo coperto – overcast sky
mandare qualcuno in cielo (rare/poetic) – to exalt someone
Online Course to learn Italian
A view of some skyscrapers in Mexico City. Una vista di alcuni grattacieli nel centro di Città del Messico.
