Common Italian Terms
Soccer – Essential Italian Vocabulary
Italians take their sports very seriously, and are fond of a wide variety including hockey, rugby, and volleyball. But the defining sport of Italian culture, and the one which invokes passion, or some would say, obsession, is soccer.
Every Italian grew up surrounded by soccer, and its verbiage has made its way into the Italian lexicon. For example, when something is said to be “del pallone” (or “of the ball”) it is pertaining to soccer. “La passion del pallone” is the passion for soccer, and “Un mago del Pallone” is a “wizard at soccer” (an exceptional soccer player).
Many soccer terms are used for everyday life as well, so being familiar with them can help, no matter what your interest in the sport is. In this guide, we’ll introduce you to some of the most common words and phrases revolving around soccer.
|
| Phrase in Italian |
Phrase in English |
Pronunciation |
|
Calcio. |
Soccer. |
Cahl-cho. |
|
Pallone da calcio. |
Soccer ball. |
Pahl-loh-neh dah cahl-cho. |
|
Porta. / Gol. |
Goal. |
Pohr-tah / Goal. |
|
Portiere. |
Goalie. |
Pohr-tee-eh-reh. |
|
Campo da calcio. |
Soccer field. |
Cahm-poh dah cahl-cho. |
|
Tirare un calcio. |
To kick. |
Tee-rah-reh oon cahl-cho. |
|
Calcio d'angolo. |
Corner kick. |
Cahl-cho d'ahn-goh-loh. |
|
Calcio di rigore. |
Penalty kick. |
Cahl-cho dee ree-goh-reh. |
|
Arbitro. |
Referee. |
Ahr-bee-troh. |
|
Cartellino giallo. |
Yellow card. |
Cahr-tehl-lee-noh jahl-loh. |
|
Cartellino rosso. |
Red card. |
Cahr-tehl-lee-noh rohs-soh. |
|
Fallo. |
Foul. |
Fahl-loh. |
|
Palo. |
Pole. |
Pah-loh. |
|
Allenatore. |
Coach. |
Ahl-leh-nah-toh-reh. |
|
Segnare (un gol). |
Score (a goal). |
She-nyah-reh (oon goal). |
|
Squadra. |
Team. |
Skoo-ah-drah. |
|
Espulsione. |
To send off the field. |
Ehs-puhl-see-oh-neh. |
|
Rimessa laterale. |
Throw-in. |
Ree-mehs-sah lah-the-rah-leh. |
|
Stadio. |
Stadium. |
Stah-dee-oh. |
|
Tifosi. |
Fans. |
Tee-foh-see. |
|
Ultra. |
Hooligans (fanatic fans). |
Ool-trah. |
|
Partita. |
Match / Game. |
Pahr-tee-tah. |
|
Scarpe da calcio. |
Soccer shoes (cleats.) |
Scahr-peh dah cahl-cho. |
|
Difesa. |
Defense. |
Dee-feh-sah. |
|
Attacco. |
Offense. |
Aht-tahc-coh. |
|
Attaccante. |
Striker. |
Aht-tah-kahn-teh. |
|
Maglia di squadra. |
Team jersey. |
Mah-lee-ah dee squah-drah. |
|
Spogliatoio. |
Locker room. |
Spoh-lee-ah-toh-yoh. |
|
Riserva. |
Substitute. |
Ree-sehr-vah. |
|
Panchina. |
Bench. |
Pahn-kee-nah. |
Slang/Commonly Used Expressions
|
Expression in Italian |
Expression in English |
Pronunciation |
|
Forza …! |
Go … ! (Chant for team) |
Fohr-tsah! |
|
Chi non salta è un … (opposing team name)! |
Who doesn't jump is a …(opposing team fan)! - Typical stadium chant |
Kee nohn sahl-tah eh oon … |
|
La squadra del cuore. |
The team of your heart. |
Lah squah-drah dehl koo-oh-reh. |
|
Campioni del mondo. |
World champions. |
Cahm-pee-oh-nee dehl mohn-doh. |
|
Gli Azzurri. |
Literally: Light blues (Italian team color). |
Lee Ah-tsoor-ree. |
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