Italy: Glossary – Italian Property Terms

Italian Terms

Abbonamento: Standing charge (e.g. for electricity, gas, telephone or water services). Subscription, e.g. to a magazine. Season ticket for public transport.

Abitabile: Habitable.

Abitazione (tipo di): The housing category that determines the level of property and other taxes.

Abusivo: Abusive (the term used to denote illegal building or alteration to a building).

Acqua: Water.

Acqua di sorgente: Spring water.

Acquedotto comunale: Municipal water supply.

Acquistare su carta: Buying off plan (i.e. before a property has been built).

Affittacamere: Rooms for rent (usually cheaper than a pensione and not part of the official classification system).

Affitasi: To let/for rent.

Affresco: Fresco.

Agenzia immobiliare: Estate agency.

Agriturismo: Working farm with rooms for guests, a structure for rural tourism.

Albo degli artigiani: Official list of artisans/tradesmen.

Albergo: Hotel with up to five stars.

Alimentari: General food shop/grocer’s.

Alloggio: Lodging (usually cheaper than a pensione and not part of the official classification system).

Amministratore di condominio: Administrator of a community property (e.g. an apartment block).

Ammobiliato: Furnished.

Ammortizzare: Amortisation – the process of systematically reducing debt in equal payments (as in a mortgage) comprising both principal and interest, until the debt is paid in full.

Ampia metratura: Ample.

Anagrafe/Ufficio di Stato Civile: Bureau of vital statistics or census office.

Anagrafe canina: Census office for dogs (where dogs are registered).

Angolo cottura: Cooking corner or small corner kitchen.

Annessi: Attached (usually small) outbuildings.

Annesso: Extension.

Antico: Antique.

Anticipo di pagamento: Deposit sometimes paid before signing a preliminary contract.

Apparecchio: Appliance or machine.

Appartamento: Apartment/flat.

Appartamento ammobiliato: Furnished apartment.

Appartamento in affitto: Rented apartment.

Appartamento (di lusso) nell’attico: Penthouse.

Appartamento su due piani: Duplex (apartment on two floors).

Appartamento vacanze: Holiday apartment.

Arcate: Row of free-standing arches, carried on columns or piers forming a covered walk.

Architetto: Architect.

Arco: Arch.

Arredamento: Furnishings.

Arredato: Furnished.

Ascensore: Lift (elevator).

Assicurazione: Insurance.

Assicurazione contro i terzi: Third party liability insurance.

Astenersi agenzie: Without an agent (i.e. for rent/sale by owner).

Attaccate: Joined.

Attico: Top floor apartment or penthouse in a city or town. Attic in the country.

Atto di compravendita: Property conveyance document. (also called atto notarile).

Attrezzata: Equipped.

Autorimessa: Garage.

Autostrada: Motorway (freeway) – usually a toll road..

Avvocato: Lawyer/solicitor.

Azienda agricola: Farm.

Bagno: Bathroom/toilet (restroom).

Balcone: Balcony/terrace.

Barocco: Baroque.

Bellissima: Very beautiful.

Ben conservata: Well preserved.

Ben tenuto: Well maintained.

Bifamiliare: Semi-detached (two-family building).

Bilocale: Consisting of two rooms.

Bolletta: Bill.

Bollo: State tax stamp.Bombola:[/b] Gas bottle.

Bombolone: Gas tank (used to store liquid gas).

Borgo/Borghi: Ancient town or village, often walled.

Borgo: A suburb (or city neighbourhood) or a street leading into a suburb from the centre of town. Also a village.

Bosco: Wood.

Bovindo: Bay (or bow) window.

Breve periodo: Short period or term.

Buona posizione: Good position.

Buono stato: Good condition.

Cabina: Cabin.

Calce: Lime.

Caldaia: Boiler or water heater.

Camera: Room.

Camera di commercio: Chamber of commerce.

Camera doppia: Twin room.

Camera matrimoniale: Double room.

Camera singola: Single room.

Camera sul davanti/sul dietro: Front room/back room.

Cameretta: Small bedroom.

Camino: Chimney/fireplace.

Cantina: (Wine) cellar.

Capannone: Barn.

Caparra: Deposit.

Caratteristico: Typical/characteristic.

Carpentiere: Carpenter.

Carta bollata: An official paper with a tax stamp.

Carta d’Identitià: Identity card.

Carta da parati: Wallpaper.

Casa: House.

Casa colonica: Farmhouse.

Casa canonica: Old church house.

Casa d’epoca: Period house.

Casa gemella: Semi-detached house.

Casa padronale: Country house.

Casa popolare: Public, low-rent accommodation for low-income families.

Casa di ringhiera: A traditional Milanese apartment block with apartment entrances off a long balcony above an internal courtyard.

Casa rurale: Rural property.

Casa signorile: Luxury home.

Casa urbana: Urban property. (Note that many rural country properties are classified as urban.)

Casale: Farmhouse.

Cascina: Farmstead.

Casetta: Small house.

Casette a schiera: Terrace of small workers’ houses.

Cassone: Water storage tank.

Castello: Castle.

Catasto: Land registry.

Cemento (bianco): (White) cement.

Centralissimo: Central.

Centro: Centre.

Centro storico: Historic centre/ old town.

Ceramica: Ceramic tiles.

Certificato di matrimonio: Marriage certificate.

Certificato di morte: Death certificate.

Certificato di nascita: Birth certificate.

Certificato di residenza: Residence permit.

Chiave: Key.

Cipollino: Onion marble with veins of green or white.

Circoscrizione: A subdivision of a comune, e.g. Rome is one comune but has 20 circoscrizioni.

Clausola (condizionale): (Cond-itional) clause in a contract.

Codice fiscale: Fiscal or tax number.

Colombaia: Pigeon house/dovecote.

Colonna: Column.

Colonnato: Row of columns placed at regular intervals, possibly carrying arches.

Coltivatore diretto: Farmer.

Commercialista: Accountant who completes tax returns.

Comodissimo per i mezzi e negozi: Convenient for public transport and shops.

Complesso residenziale: Resid-ential complex.

Compromesso (di vendita): Preliminary contract.

Comune: An administrative area, e.g. a self-governing town or city. Also a municipality or county, town or city council.

Concessione edilizia: Planning permission.

Concio d’angolo: The dressed stones at the corners of buildings.

Condotta d’acqua: Water pipes.

Con gusto: Tastefully, e.g. fur-nished or decorated.

Condizionamento d’aria: Air-conditioning.

Condizione: Condition.

Condominio: Condominium or apartment. Also an apartment block.

Convivere: Sharing, e.g. an apart-ment or house.

Congelatore: Freezer.

Conguaglio: Adjustment. The term utility companies use to refer to a bill (issued twice a year) based on actual rather than estimated consumption.

Consegna: Exchange of contracts.

Conservatorio: Conservatory.

Costruttore: Builder/developer.

Costruzione: Building.

Contatore: Meter (e.g. electricity).

Contenuto dell’ abitazione: House contents/inventory.

Conto: Bill/account.

Conto estero: Foreign currency bank account.

Contrada: District.

Contraente: Contracting party.

Contratto: Contract.

Contratto di affitto: Rental lease.

Contratto preliminaire di vendita: Preliminary contract of sale.

Coppi (vecchi): (Old) roof tiles.

Corridoio: Hall/corridor.

Corso: Main street/avenue/ boulevard.

(in) Corso di costruzione: Being built, in the process of being constructed.

Cortile: Galleried courtyard/cloisters.

Cotto: Terracotta.

Cucina: Kitchen. Cooker.

Cucina abitabile: Eat-in kitchen.

Cucina a gas: Gas cooker.

Cucinotto: Small kitchen.

Cupola: Dome.

Decoratore: Decorator.

Denuncia: Legal or police statement.

Deposito: Deposit.

Deruralizzato: The process whereby a rural agricultural building (such as a barn) is legally converted into a dwelling.

Diritto di passaggio: Right of way.

Disdire: Cancel (a contract).

Disponibile: Available.

Doccia: Shower.

Dogana: Customs.

Domiciliazione: Direct debit payment (from a bank).

Domicilio: Address.

Doppi servizi: Two bathrooms.

Doppi vetri: Double-glazing.

Doppio garage: Double garage.

Due piani: On two floors (e.g. a duplex or maisonnette).

Edificio: Building/structure.

Edilizia: Builder’s yard.

Elettricista: Electrician.

Emergenza: Emergency.

Ente Nazionale per l’Energia Electtrica (ENEL): The national electricity company.

Elettrodomestici: Appliances (e.g. cooker, washing machine).

Ente Nazionale Italiano del Turismo (ENIT): The Italian state tourist office.

Entrata: Entrance.

Entroterra: Hinterland.

Equo canone: Fair rent or rent control.

Ettaro (ha): Hectare (2.47 acres).

Fabbricato: Building.

Fabbricato rurale: A rural or agricultural building which cannot be used as a dwelling until it has been ‘de-ruralised’.

Facciata: Façade.

Fai da te: Do-it-yourself (DIY).

Falegname: Carpenter.

Farmacia: Chemist’s (pharmacy).

Fattoria: Farm. Farmhouse.

Ferramenta: Hardware shop.

Ferrovia: Railway.

Ferrovie dello Stato (FS or FSSS): The Italian state railway company.

Finiture di lusso: Luxury finish.

Finestra: Window.

Fisco: Italian tax authorities.

Fiume: River.

Fondamenta: Foundation of a house or, in Venice, a street beside a canal.

Fontana: Fountain.

Fornello: Cooker.

Forno: Oven.

Forno a legna: Wood-burning oven.

Fossa settica: Septic tank.

Francobollo: Postage stamp.

Frigorifero: Refrigerator.

Fronte mare: On the seafront.

Frontone: Gable.

Frutteto: Orchard.

Fusibli: Fuses.

Gabinetto: Toilet/WC.

Geometra: Surveyor.

Gesso: Plaster.

Gettone: Telephone token.

Ghiaia: Gravel.

Giardiniere: Gardener.

Giardino: Garden.

Gotico: Gothic.

Granaio: Barn.

Grande: Large.

Grattacielo: Skyscraper/tower block.

Grezzo: Uncut stone.

Grisaille: A style of painting on walls or ceilings in greyish tints in imitation of bas-relief.

Idraulico: Plumber.

Idromassaggio: Jacuzzi/hot tub.

Imbianchino: House painter (also pittore).

Impianto: Fixtures.

Imposta: Tax. Shutter (on windows).

Imposta Comunale sugli Immobili (ICI): Property tax fixed by town.

Imposta Comunale sull’Incremento di Valore degli Immobili (INVIM): Capital gains tax.

Imposta Regionale sulle Attività Produttive (IRAP): Regional tax.

Imposta sul Reddito delle Persone Fisiche (IRPEF): Personal income tax.

Imposta sul Reddito delle Persone Guiridiche (IRPEG): Corporation tax that applies to companies and partnerships.

Imposta di registro: Stamp duty.

Imposta Servizio Comunale (ISCOM): Tax on communal services.

Imposta sulle Successioni e Donazioni (ISD): Inheritance and gift tax.

Imposta sul Valore Aggiunto (IVA): Value added tax.

Indipendente: Detached.

Indirizzo: Address.

Ingegnere: Engineer.

Ingresso: Entrance hall.

Inquilino: Tenant.

Installatore: Installer. Electrician.

Intarsio: Inlaid wood, marble or metal.

Interrato: Basement.

Intonacatore: Plasterer.

Intonaco: Plaster.

Inventario: Inventory.

Ipoteca: Mortgage.

Lago: Lake.

Lampadina: Light bulb.

Largo: Square.

Lavabo: Wash basin.

Lavanderia: Laundry.

Lavastoviglie: Dishwasher.

Lavatoio: Public washhouse.

Lavatrice: Washing machine.

Lavoro di idraulico: Plumbing.

Legname: Timber.

Legno: Wood.

Libero: Unoccupied. Free.

Libretto di lavoro: Work booklet or permit.

Locanda: Inn/small hotel (usually cheaper than a pensione).

Loggia: Covered area on the side of a building. Gallery or balcony open on one or more sides, sometimes arcaded. Small garden house.

Luce: Electricity, lights.

Lungomare: Sea-front road/ promenade.

Lusso: Luxury.

Maniero: Manor.

Mansarda: Attic.

Manutenzione: Maintenance.

Marca da bollo: Tax stamp.

Mare: Sea.

Marmi: Marble.

Mattone: Brick.

Mensile: Monthly.

Merceria: Haberdashery shop.

Mercato: Market.

Metrature: Size.

Metri quadri (mq): Square metres.

Mezza pensione: Half board.

Mezzogiorno: Colloquial name for the southern part of Italy. Noon.

Millesimi: Term used to express the portion (in thousandths) of a community property owned by each owner.

Misura: Size. Measure.

Mobilio: Furniture.

Modernizzare: Modernisation.

Monolocale (con servizi): Studio apartment.

Monte: Mountain.

Moquette: Carpet.

Multiproprietà: Timeshare.

Municipio: Town hall.

Muratore: Mason. Bricklayer.

Muratura: Stonework.

Muro: Wall.

Mutuo compreso: Mortgage included.

Notaio: Notary.

Nuova: New.

Occasione: Bargain. Offer.

Officina: Workshop.

Oliveto: Olive grove.

(in) Ordine: (In) order (i.e. good condition).

Originali: Original.

Ostello: Hostel.

Ottima posizione: Excellent position.

Ottime condizioni/ottimo stato: Excellent condition.

Padrone/Padrona: Landlord/ landlady.

Paese: Town. Village. Area.

Paesino: Small village.

Pagamento: Payment.

(di) Paglia: Thatched.

Palazzo: Palace/mansion. Large building of any type, including an apartment block.

Parco: Park.

Parquet: Parquet flooring.

(in) Parte ristrutturato: Partly restored.

Partita IVA: VAT registration number.

Parzialmente arredato: Partially furnished.

Pavimenti in cotto: Terracotta floors.

Pavimento: Floor.

Pazienza: Patience (something you will need in abundance when dealing with Italian bureaucracy!)

Pensione: Small hotel, often with board.

Perfette condizioni: Perfect condition.

Periferie: Suburbs.

Perito agronomo: Land surveyor.

Permessi comunali: Planning permission (granted by commune or town).

Permesso di soggiorno: Permit to stay.

Piano: Floor (of a multi-storey building), e.g. primo (first), secondo (second), terzo (third).

Piano nobile: Main floor of a palace (usually the first floor/US:[/b] second floor).

Piano regolatore: Zoning plan.

Piano terra: Ground floor (US:[/b] first floor).

Piastrelle: Tiles.

Piastrellista: Tiler.

Piazza: Square (in town or city).

Piazzale: Large open square.

Piccolo: Small.

Pietra/legno originale: Original stone/ wood.

Pietra serena: Soft, grey sandstone that’s easily carved (common in Sienna).

Piscina: Swimming pool.

Pitture: Paint.

Più spese: Plus expenses (e.g. utilities).

Poggiolo: Balcony.

Polizia: Police.

Ponte: Bridge.

Pontile: Wharf for boats.

Portico: Porch. Covered walkway (usually attached to the outside of a building). Roofed space, open or partly enclosed, forming the entrance and centrepiece to a façade.

Portiere: Porter/doorman/janitor in an apartment block.

Portinaio: Caretaker/concierge of an apartment block.

Portineria: Porter’s house.

Porta: Door

Porta blindata: Armoured door.

Porto: Port.

Portone: Main entrance/door.

(a) Posto: Everything in order/in good condition.

Posto auto/macchina: Parking space.

Pozzo: Well (for water).

Pozzo nero: Cesspit.

Pratica: File. Conveyancing.

Prato: Lawn.

Premio: Premium (e.g. insurance).

Prestito: Loan.

Preventivo: Estimate or quotation, e.g. for building work.

Prezzo: Price.

Prima casa: Principal home (as opposed to a second or holiday home) where you’re resident.

Primo piano: First floor (US:[/b] second floor) – called the Piano nobile in a palazzo.

Procura: Power of attorney.

Progetto approvato: Approved plans.

Pronta consegna: Ready to move in.

Proprietà: Property.

Questura: Police station.

Quotazione: Quotation.

Rabdomante: Water diviner.

Radiatori: Radiators.

Ragioniere(a): Accountant.

Referenziati: References required.

Regolamento di condominio: Regulations for a community property.

Rendita catastale: Cadastral value.

(da) Restaurare/Ristrutturare: In need of restoration.

Restaurato: Restored.

(da) Ricostruire: In need of reconstruction.

Rilevamento: Land survey.

Rinascimento: Renaissance.

Rinnovamento: Renovation.

Riparazione: Repair.

Ripostiglio: Store/junk room.

Riscaldamento: Heating.

Riscaldamento autonomo: Ind ependent heating (which can be regulated or switched off by the tenant or the owners of the apartment).

Riscaldamento centrale: Central heating. (In an apartment block, this is provided centrally for all apartments, with the cost divided equally between them.)

Rivo: Stream.

Rocca: Fortress.

Rococò: Rococo.

Rogito: Act or contract signed in front of notary.

Romanico: Romanesque.

Rovina/Rudere: Ruin (usually in a historical sense).

Rustico: Rustic building. Old home requiring restoration or finishing.

Sala: Room. Hall.

Sala da pranzo: Dining room.

Salone: Sitting room/lounge. Hall

Salotto: Sitting room/lounge.

Salvavita: Electricity circuit breaker or trip switch.

Sassi: Stones. Also houses in grottos in the town of Matera.

Scala/Scalinata: Stairway/staircase.

Scaldabagno: Hot water heater or system (gas or electric).

Scrittura privata: Privately produced conveyance document.

Scuderia: Stable.

Semi arredato: Semi-furnished.

Semicentro: The area just outside the centre of a city.

Seminterrato: Basement apartment.

Senza: Without.

Serrande: Metal curtains or shutters (on windows).

(i) Servizi: Kitchen and bathroom (excluded from the number of rooms quoted in an advertisement).

Servizi allacciati: Services connected.

Servizi zonali: Neighbourhood services.

Servizio riscossione ruoli: Community fees for a property (e.g. an apartment) that shares building elements or services with other properties.

Sfratto: Eviction.

Sindaco: Mayor.

(da) Sistemare: To be put in order (i.e. requiring work).

Società: Building society.

Soffitta: Attic.

Soffitto (a volta): (Vaulted) ceiling.

Soggiorno: Sitting room/lounge.

Soggiorno pranzo: Living and dining room.

Sorgente: Spring.

Spese: Expenses.

Spese agenzia: Agent’s fees.

Spese del condominio: Community fees for a property (e.g. an apartment) that shares building elements or services with other properties.

Spese condominiali comprese: Community fees included.

Spiaggia: Beach.

Spiaggia libera/pubblica: Public beach.

Spiaggia privata: Private beach.

Stanza: Room.

Stanza da letto: Bedroom.

Stato: Condition.

Stato di famiglia: Family status documents.

Stazione: Station (e.g. railway).

Stima: Estimate. Valuation.

Strada: Street/road.

Struttura: Structure.

Strutturalmente: Structurally.

Stucco: Plaster made from water, lime, sand and powdered marble, used for decorative work.

Studio: Study (den).

Suolo: Ground.

Supermercato: Supermarket.

Tapparelle: Metal or wooden shutters.

Tappeto: Carpet.

Tassa communale dei rifiuti: Refuse (garbage) tax.

Telefono: Telephone.

Termoautonomo: Independent automatic heating system.

Terra: Ground floor.

Terrazza: Terrace.

Terreno: Land.

Terreno alberato: Land with trees.

Terreno boschivo: Wooded land.

Terreno coltivato: Cultivated land/farmland.

Testamento: Will.

Tetto: Roof.

Tinello: Small dining room/ family room.

Titolo di proprietà: Title deed.

Toiletta: Toilet/WC.

Torre: Tower.

Torrente: Stream.

Traghetto: Ferry.

Trattabile: Negotiable.

Travertino: Travertine (light-coloured limestone widely used as a building material in both ancient and modern Rome).

Travi a vista: Exposed beams.

Travi di legno: Wooden beams.

Ufficio Anagrafe: General registry office (e.g. in a comune), where records of residence, birth, death, etc. are kept.

Ufficio delle Imposte Dirette: Provincial tax office (also known as Fisco).

Ufficio postale: Post office.

Ultimo piano: Top floor.

Umidità dal basso: Rising damp.

Valore: Value.

Valore catastale: Cadastral (or fiscal) value – assessment of a property’s value for tax purposes.

Vano: Room.

Vasca: Artificial water basin or bath.

Vecchio: Old.

Vendesi: For sale.

Veranda: Porch.

Vetro: Glass.

Via: Street/road (followed by the name in addresses).

Viale privato: Private road.

Vigili urbani: Local town police.

Vigneto: Vineyard.

Villa: Villa. Detached town or country house (usually with a large estate).

Villa fattoria: Villa-farmhouse of a landowner.

Villaggio: Village.

Villino: Cottage. Small detached house with a garden.

Vista: View.

Vista sul mare: Sea view.

Vista sul monte: Mountain view.

Vuoti: Empty, unfurnished.

Zona censuaria: Zone into which large towns and cities are divided for registration tax purposes (small towns usually have only one zone).

Zona tranquilla: Quiet area.

© Survival Books Limited 2003

“Buying a Home in Italy” 3rd Edition, David Hampshire.

Reproduced with the permission of Survival Books Limited.

Further information on this topic can be found in “Buying a Home in Italy” 3rd edition, by David Hampshire.

For extensive, annually updated information about buying a property in Italy, you can purchase this book at www.survivalbooks.net