The Spanish language has been influenced by many other languages over the centuries. Among these, Italian stands out as a significant contributor to the Spanish lexicon. Spanish words of Italian origin are scattered throughout various fields such as art, music, cuisine, and daily life, reflecting the deep cultural connections between Spain and Italy. These words, known as loanwords or borrowings, not only enrich the Spanish vocabulary but also offer insights into the historical interactions and shared heritage of these two Mediterranean nations.
In this article, we will explore some of the most commonly used Spanish words of Italian origin, uncovering their meanings and the stories behind their adoption into the Spanish language.
Spanish Words of Italian Origin
These Spanish words of Italian origin are prevalent in various domains such as art, music, and everyday vocabulary. This article explores the most common Spanish words of Italian origin, providing insights into their meanings and the context of their adoption into the Spanish language.
A capela
Let’s start the list of Spanish words of Italian origin with
El coro de la iglesia canta a capela todos los domingos.
The church choir sings a capella every Sunday.
Acuarela
Me encanta pintar con acuarela porque me permite crear efectos que son perfectos para los paisajes.
I love painting with watercolor because it allows for effects that are perfect for landscapes.
Alarma
La alarma del despertador sonó a las seis en punto. No llegué tarde a mi primera reunión.
The alarm clock rang at six o’clock. I wasn’t be late for my first meeting.
Alerta
Durante la tormenta, la ciudad emitió una alerta meteorológica para que todos los ciudadanos tomaran precauciones.
During the storm, the city issued a weather alert for all citizens to take precautions.
Balcón
Desde el balcón de mi apartamento puedo ver el mar.
From the balcony of my apartment, I can see the sea.
Banquete
This word refers to an event where food is served, usually connected with eating, celebrations, and formal meals.
Después de la ceremonia, los invitados disfrutaron de un banquete con platos tradicionales y postres caseros.
After the ceremony, the guests enjoyed a banquet with traditional dishes and homemade desserts.
Batuta
El director de orquesta levantó la batuta y comenzó a dirigir la sinfonía.
The conductor raised the baton and began directing the symphony.
Brújula
Antes de comenzar la caminata, me aseguré de llevar mi brújula para no perderme en los bosques.
Before starting the hike, I made sure to bring my compass so I wouldn’t get lost in the forests.
Bufón
El bufón siempre tenía nuevas bromas para entretener al rey y a sus invitados durante los banquetes.
The jester always had new jokes to entertain the king and his guests during banquets.
Camerino
La actriz se preparaba en su camerino. Quería que su vestuario estuviera perfecto antes de salir al escenario.
The actress was getting ready in her dressing room. She wanted her costume to be perfect before stepping on stage.
Cantina
Después de las clases, los estudiantes suelen reunirse en la cantina de la universidad.
After classes, students often gather in the university canteen.
Capo
El capo de la mafia fue finalmente capturado por la policía.
The mafia boss was finally captured by the police.
Capricho
Decidí comprarme ese vestido como un capricho, aunque sabía que probablemente solo lo usaría una vez.
I decided to buy that dress as a whim, even though I knew I would probably only wear it once.
Caricatura
El artista dibujó una caricatura divertida del político.
The artist drew a funny caricature of the politician.
Carnaval
El carnaval de Río de Janeiro es famoso en todo el mundo por sus desfiles, música y disfraces.
The Rio de Janeiro carnival is famous worldwide for its parades, music, and costumes.
Casino
La noche en el casino fue emocionante, especialmente cuando gané en la ruleta.
The night at the casino was exciting, especially when I won at roulette.
Centinela
El centinela vigilaba la entrada del castillo, atento a cualquier señal de intrusos que pudieran acercarse.
The sentry watched over the castle entrance, alert for any signs of intruders that might approach.
Empresa
La empresa ha decidido expandirse a nuevos mercados para aumentar sus ventas.
The company has decided to expand into new markets to increase its sales.
Escalinata
Subimos la escalinata de la catedral mientras admirábamos los detalles tallados en la piedra a cada paso.
We climbed the staircase of the cathedral while admiring the details carved into the stone at every step.
Fachada
La fachada del edificio fue restaurada con cuidado para preservar su arquitectura original.
The façade of the building was carefully restored to preserve its original architecture.
Grafiti
En mi ciudad, puedes ver grafitis que reflejan el talento de los artistas urbanos.
In my city, you can see graffiti that reflect the talent of urban artists.
Grotesco
El pintor creó una obra de arte con figuras deformes y grotescas que provocaban una mezcla de asombro y repulsión.
The painter created a work of art with deformed and grotesque figures that elicited a mix of awe and repulsion.
Muralla
La antigua muralla de la ciudad todavía se mantiene en pie.
The ancient city wall still stands.
Novela
Estoy leyendo una novela sobre la vida de un detective privado de Nueva York.
I am reading a novel about the life of a private detective from New York.)
Exercises
Let’s do some exercises to practice some of these Spanish words of Italian origin. Feel like doing more vocabulary exercises? In our blog, you can also do exercises with Spanish words of Arabic, French, Nahuatl, and Persian origins.