Imagine you’re touring Italy with a bunch of friends. You’re visiting one of its thousand beautiful beaches, you want to have a great time and to meet new people.
By chance, you and your buddies see some girls playing volleyball – you immediately want to join them, to play with them, but you don’t speak a word of Italian and you get lost in the panic.
The solution? You can learn to gesticulate like real Italians do! Or you can just learn how to talk about sports in Italian.
The second option is a more practical way to communicate without language barriers. So we’ll teach you how to say “volleyball” in Italian - as well as many other sports. At the end of this comprehensive guide, you’ll be confident talking about exercise, sports, games, and recreation in Italian - as well as have far more opportunities to make new friends!
How do you say sports in Italian?
It's easier than you may think. In fact, you don’t even have to translate it! In Italy, we say “sport”, too - just without the final “-s”.
There is indeed no difference between the singular and the plural form - like for all the other foreign words we imported into our language. How original, right?
Well, the first step is done.
How to talk about sports in Italian
Talking about sports is an easy way to start a conversation with pretty much anyone. Here are some key expressions that will help you chat about sports in Italian in a fluent and simple way:
Fai qualche sport?
Tranlsation: “Do you do any sport?”
This will help you get in touch with people and learn about their hobbies and interests!
Ti piace il calcio?
Translation: “Do you like football?”.
You can actually change “calcio” with whichever sport you prefer. Use this expression to find out if you and your new Italian friend share a passion for the same sport!
Facciamo una partita?
Translation: “Do you want to play a match?”
Be honest – is there any better way to socialize than by sharing a moment of play together?
Sport-related verbs
The great thing about these verbs is that they can apply to pretty much all of the sports you can think of.
Wait! Who said Italians are lazy?
| English | Italian | IPA | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| To play | Giocare | d͡ʒokˈare | Joh-cah-re |
| To do sports | Fare sport | fˈare spˈɔrt | Fah-reh Sport |
| To practice | Allenarsi | allenˈarsɪ | Ahl-leh-nahr-see |
| To win | Vincere | vˈint͡ʃere | Veen-cheh-reh |
| To tie | Pareggiare | pared͡ʒːˈare | Pah-reh-jah-re |
| To lose | Perdere | pˈɛrdere | Pehr-deh-reh |
| To pass | Passare | pas͡sˈare | Pah-sah-reh |
| To shoot | Tirare | tirˈare | Tee-rah-reh |
| To beat | Battere | bˈatːere | Bat-teh-reh |
| To dribble | Dribblare | dribːlˈare | Dree-bla-reh |
| To dunk | Schiacciare | skjat͡ʃːˈare | Ski-ah-cha-reh |
List of sports and games in Italian
At this point, you will definitely want to know how to say soccer in Italian. Or “basketball”. Or any other sport. So here’s a little help.
Outdoor sports in Italian
These are outdoor sports - or “sport all’aperto” in Italian. Yet, nobody forbids you to play them indoors! Clearly, it will be difficult in some cases - unless you live right into San Siro stadium!
| English | Italian | IPA | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soccer | Calcio | kˈalt͡ʃo | Kahl-choh |
| American football | Football Americano | fˈʊtbɔːl amerikˈano | (Football) Ah-meh-ree-kah-noh |
| Outdoor basketball | Pallacanestro all’aperto | pallakanˈɛstro ˈal’apˈɛrto | Pahl-lah-kah-neh-stroh |
| Baseball | Baseball | bˈe͡ɪzboːl | (Baseball) |
| Golf | Golf | ɡˈɔlf | (Golf) |
| Road cycling | Ciclismo su strada | t͡ʃiklˈizmo sˈu strˈada | Chee-clee-smoh |
| Tennis | Tennis | tˈɛnnis | (Tennis) |
| Hiking | Escursionismo | eskʊrsjonˈizmo | Ehz-coor-see-oh-nee-smoh |
| Mountain biking | Ciclismo di montagna | t͡ʃiklˈizmo dˈi montˈaɲɲa | Chee-clee-smoh dee mohn-tah-nee-ah |
| Badminton | Badminton | bˈædmɪntən | (Badminton) |
| Archery | Tiro con l’arco | tˈiro kˈon ˈɛlle’ˈarko | Tee-roh con lahr-coh |
| Snowboarding | Snowboard | znowboˈard | (Snowboard) |
| Frisbee | Frisbee | fɹˈɪsbiː | (Frisbee) |
| Horse riding | Equitazione | ekwitat͡siˈone | Eh-quee-tah-see-oh-neh |
| Rugby | Rugby | ɹˈʌɡbi | (Rugby) |
| Cricket | Cricket | krˈikːet | (Cricket) |
| Mountain climbing | Alpinismo | alpinˈizmo | Ahl-pee-nee-smoh |
| Skiing | Sci | ʃˈi | Shee |
| Beach volley | Beach volley | bˈiːt͡ʃ vˈɑːli | (Beach volley) |
| Volleyball | Pallavolo | pallavˈolo | Pahl-lah-voh-loh |
| Australian football | Football australiano | fˈʊtbɔːl aʊstraliˈano | (Football) ah-oo-strah-lee-ah-noh |
| Disc golf | Disc golf | dˈisk ɡˈɔlf | (Disc golf) |
| Paragliding | Parapendio | paɾapendˈio | Pah-rah-pehn-dee-oh |
| Beach tennis | Tennis da spiaggia | tˈɛnnis dˈa spjˈad͡ʒːa | (Tennis) dah spee-ahj-jah |
| Paddle tennis | Paddle tennis | pˈædə͡l tˈɛnnis | (Paddle tennis) |
| Padel | Padel | pˈadel | Pah-dehl |
| Platform tennis | Platform tennis | plˈætfɔː͡ɹm tˈɛnnis | (Platform tennis) |
| Football tennis | Calcio-tennis | kˈalt͡ʃo tˈɛnnis | Kahl-choh (tennis) |
| Footvolley | Footvolley | fˈʊtvɑːli | (Footvolley) |
| Pickleball | Pickleball | pˈɪklɪbˌɔːl | (Pickleball) |
| Netball | Netball | nˈɛtbɔːl | (Netball) |
| Softball | Softball | sˈɔftbɔːl | (Softball) |
| Streetball | Streetball | stɹˈiːtbɔːl | (Streetball) |
| Car races | Corse d’auto | kˈorse d̪ˈiː’ˈaʊto | Kohr-seh dah-oo-toh |
| Quidditch | Quidditch | kwˈɪdɪt͡ʃ | (Quidditch) |
| Ice climbing | Arrampicata sul ghiaccio | arɾampikˈata sˈul ɡjˈat͡ʃːo | Ahr-rahm-pee-kah-tah sool ghee-ah-choh |
| Mixed climbing | Arrampicata mista | arɾampikˈata mˈista | Ahr-rahm-pee-kah-tah mee-stah |
| Speed climbing | Arrampicata di velocità | arɾampikˈata dˈi velot͡ʃitˈa | Ahr-rahm-pee-kah-tah dee veh-loh-chee-tah |
| Canyoning | Torrentismo | torɾentˈizmo | Tohr-rehn-tee-smoh |
| Coasteering | Coasteering | ko͡ʊstˈɪɹɪŋ | (Coasteering) |
| Rope climbing | Arrampicata su corda | arɾampikˈata sˈu kˈɔrda | Ahr-rahm-pee-kah-tah soo kohr-dah |
| Pole climbing | Arrampicata su palo | arɾampikˈata sˈu pˈalo | Ahr-rahm-pee-kah-tah soo pah-loh |
| Calisthenics | Calistenia | kalistˈenia | Kah-lee-steh-nee-ah |
| BMX | BMX | bˌiˌɛmmeˈiks | Bee-ehm-meh-eecs |
| Miniature golf | Minigolf | miniɡˈɔlf | (Mini golf) |
| Rodeo | Rodeo | rodˈɛo | Roh-deh-oh |
| Horse racing | Ippica | ˈipːika | E-ppee-kah |
| Polo | Polo | pˈɔlo | Poh-loh |
| Fishing | Pesca | pˈɛska | Peh-scah |
| Gaelic football | Calcio gaelico | kˈalt͡ʃo ɡaˈɛliko | Kahl-choh gah-eh-lee-koh |
| Parkour | Parkour | parkˈur | (Parkour) |
Water sports in Italian
Are you a real lupo di mare (“sea wolf” in Italian) or just a water sports lover? If the answer is yes, then these words will definitely help you share your passions with Italian people!
| English | Italian | IPA | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swimming | Nuoto | nʊˈɔto | Noo-oh-toh |
| Freestyle | Stile libero | stˈile lˈibero | Stee-leh lee-beh-roh |
| Backstroke | Dorso | dˈɔrso | Dohr-soh |
| Butterfly | Farfalla | farfˈalla | Fahr-fahl-lah |
| Breaststroke | Rana | rˈana | Rah-nah |
| Diving | Immersione | immersjˈone | E-mmehr-see-oh-neh |
| Water polo | Pallanuoto | pallanʊˈɔto | Pahl-lah-noo-oh-toh |
| Synchronised swimming | Nuoto sincronizzato | nʊˈɔto sinkronid͡zːˈato | Noo-oh-toh seen-kroh-neez-zah-toh |
| Surfing | Surf | sˈɜːf | (Surf) |
| Wakeboarding | Wakeboard | wˈe͡ɪkboː͡ɹd | (Wakeboard) |
| Waterskiing | Sci d’acqua | ʃˈi dˈakːwa | Shee dah-quah |
| Kayaking | Kayak | kˈa͡ɪæk | (Kayak) |
| Boating | Canottaggio | kanotːˈad͡ʒːo | Kah-noht-tahj-joh |
| Windsurfing | Windsurf | wˈɪndsɜːf | (Windsurf) |
Indoor sports in Italian
Indoor sports are the best in wintertime. In Italy, we call them “sport al chiuso”. The most widespread is definitely “calcetto” (futsal), which we also play outdoors in summer. It shows how much we generally love soccer!
| English | Italian | IPA | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indoor soccer | Indoor soccer | ˈɪndoː͡ɹ sˈɑːkɚ | (Indoor soccer) |
| Ice-skating | Pattinaggio sul ghiaccio | patːinˈad͡ʒːo sˈul ɡjˈat͡ʃːo | Paht-tee-nahj-joh sool ghee-ah-choh |
| Squash | Squash | skwˈɑːʃ | (Squash) |
| Pilates | Pilates | pilˈates | Pee-lah-tehs |
| Yoga | Yoga | jˈɔɡa | Yoh-gah |
| Table tennis | Tennis da tavolo | tˈɛnnis dˈa tˈavolo | (Tennis) dah tah-voh-loh |
| Indoor cycling | Ciclismo al chiuso | t͡ʃiklˈizmo ˈal kjˈuzo | Chee-clee-smoh ahl kee-oo-soh |
| Wrestling | Wrestling | ɹˈɛsə͡lɪŋ | (Wrestling) |
| Gymnastics | Ginnastica | d͡ʒinnˈastika | Jeen-nah-stee-kah |
| Darts | Freccette | fret͡ʃːˈetːe | Freh-cheht-teh |
| Karate | Karate | kaɾatˈe | Kah-rah-teh |
| Fencing | Scherma | skˈerma | Skehr-mah |
| Futsal | Calcetto | kalt͡ʃˈɛtːo | Kahl-cheht-toh |
| Hockey | Hockey | ˈokːe͡ɪ | (Hockey) |
| Judo | Judo | d͡ʒˈudo | Joo-doh |
| Taekwondo | Taekwondo | taekwˈondo | Tah-eh-kwohn-doh |
| Handball | Pallamano | pallamˈano | Pahl-lah-mah-noh |
| Boxing | Pugilato | pʊd͡ʒilˈato | Poo-geeh-lah-toh |
| Kickboxing | Kickboxing | kˈɪkbɑːksɪŋ | (Kickboxing) |
| Mixed martial arts | Arti marziali miste | ˈartɪ mart͡sjˈalɪ mˈiste | Ahr-tee mahr-zee-ah-lee mee-steh |
| Teqball | Teqball | tˈɛkbɔːl | (Teqball) |
| Pool | Biliardo | biliˈardo | Bee-lee-ahr-doh |
| Basketball | Pallacanestro | pallakanˈɛstro | Pahl-lah-kah-neh-stroh |
| Wheelchair basketball | Pallacanestro in carrozzina | pallakanˈɛstro ˈiːn karɾot͡sːˈina | Pahl-lah-kah-neh-stroh ee-nkahr-rohz-zeenah |
| Dodgeball | Dodgeball | dˈɑːd͡ʒbɔːl | (Dodgeball) |
| Prison ball | Palla prigioniera | pˈalla prid͡ʒoniˈɛra | Pahl-lah pree-joh-nee-eh-rah |
| Mongolian wrestling | Wrestling mongolo | ɹˈɛsə͡lɪŋ mˈoŋɡolo | (Wrestling) mohn-goh-loh |
| Sumo | Sumo | sˈumo | Soo-moh |
| Capoeira | Capoeira | kapoeˈira | Kah-poh-eh-ee-rah |
| Kung Fu | Kung Fu | kˈuŋɡ fˈu | Koong foo |
| Muay Thai | Muay Thai | mʊˈai tˈaj | Moo-ah-ee tah-ee |
| Krav Maga | Krav Maga | krˈav mˈaɡa | Krahv Mah-gah |
| Jujutsu | Jujitsu | d͡ʒʊjˈitsʊ | Joo-jeet-soo |
| 8-ball pool | Palla 8 | pˈalla 8 | Pahl-lah oht-toh |
| Acrobatic gymnastics | Ginnastica acrobatica | d͡ʒinnˈastika akrobˈatika | Jeen-nah-stee-kah ah-kroh-bah-tee-kah |
| Rhythmic gymnastics | Ginnastica ritmica | d͡ʒinnˈastika rˈitmika | Jeen-nah-stee-kah reet-mee-kah |
| Parallel bars | Parallele simmetriche | paɾallˈɛle simmˈɛtrike | Pah-rahl-leh-leh seem-meh-tree-keh |
| Juggling | Giocoleria | d͡ʒokolerˈia | Joh-koh-leh-ree-ah |
Other games in Italian
It’s not just about sports. You can find joy in so many other areas related to games and strategy. Here are some words that will help you talk about your hobbies, activities, and passions in Italian!
| English | Italian | IPA | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chess | Scacchi | skˈakːɪ | Skahk-keeh |
| Poker | Poker | pˈo͡ʊkɚ | (Poker) |
| Dominos | Domino | dˈɑːmɪnˌo͡ʊ | (Domino) |
| Board games | Giochi da tavolo | d͡ʒˈɔkɪ dˈa tˈavolo | Joh-kee dah tah-voh-loh |
| Videogames | Videogiochi | videod͡ʒˈɔkɪ | Vee-deh-oh-joh-kee |
| Checkers | Dama | dˈama | Dah-mah |
| Tic-tac-toe | Tris | trˈis | Trees |
| Hide and seek | Nascondino | naskondˈino | Nah-skohn-dee-noh |
| Kite | Aquilone | akwilˈone | Ah-quee-loh-neh |
| Puzzle | Puzzle | pˈat͡sol | (Puzzle) |
| Playing an instrument | Suonare uno strumento | sʊonˈare ˈuno strʊmˈento | Soo-oh-nah-reh oo-noh stroo-mehn-toh |
| Jump rope | Saltare la corda | saltˈare lˈa kˈɔrda | Sahl-tah-reh lah kohr-dah |
| Hopscotch | Campana | kampˈana | Kahm-pah-nah |
Sports-related vocab in Italian
Last but not least - some words that will help you master your sports and exercise terminology in Italian!
| English | Italian | IPA | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athlete | Atleta | atlˈɛta | Ah-tleh-tah |
| Team | Squadra | skwˈadra | Squah-drah |
| Coach | Allenatore | allenatˈore | Ahl-leh-nah-toh-reh |
| Field | Campo | kˈampo | Kahm-poh |
| Rink | Pista | pˈista | Pee-stah |
| Pool | Piscina | piʃˈina | Pee-shee-nah |
| Court | Campo da tennis | kˈampo dˈa tˈɛnnis | Kahm-poh dah (tennis) |
| Doubles | Doppio | dˈopːio | Dohp-pee-oh |
| Sports venue | Impianto sportivo | impjˈanto sportˈivo | E-mpee-ahn-toh spohr-tee-voh |
| Sports equipment | Attrezzatura sportiva | atːret͡sːatˈura sportˈiva | Aht-trehz-zah-too-rah spohr-tee-vah |
| Arena | Arena | arˈena | Ah-reh-nah |
| Track | Percorso | perkˈorso | Pehr-cohr-soh |
| Goalkeeper | Portiere | portiˈɛre | Pohr-tee-eh-reh |
| Player | Giocatore | d͡ʒokatˈore | Joh-kah-toh-reh |
| Defender | Difensore | difensˈore | Dee-fehn-soh-reh |
| Midfielder | Centrocampista | t͡ʃentrokampˈista | Chehn-troh-kahm-pee-stah |
| Striker | Attaccante | atːakːˈante | Aht-tahk-kahn-teh |
| Opponent | Avversario | avversˈario | Ahv-vehr-sah-ree-oh |
| Gym | Palestra | palˈɛstra | Pah-leh-strah |
| Weights | Pesi | pˈezɪ | Peh-zee |
| Derby | Derby | dˈɛrbɪ | Dehr-bee |
| Olympics | Olimpiadi | olimpˈiadɪ | Oh-leem-pee-ah-dee |
Example conversations in Italian
Want to make small talk about sports, but still don’t know where to start? Here are three simple conversations in Italian to get inspired!
Example 1:
| Italian | English | |
|---|---|---|
| Beatrice: | Lucia, ti va di giocare a tennis domani? | Lucia, would you like to play tennis tomorrow? |
| Lucia: | Certo! Ho solo bisogno di comprare l’attrezzatura. | Of course! I just have to buy the equipment. |
| Beatrice: | Non preoccuparti, te la presto io! | Don’t worry, I’ll lend it to you! |
| Lucia: | Perfetto, grazie mille! | Perfect, thank you very much! |
Example 2:
| Italian | English | |
|---|---|---|
| Marco: | Qual è il tuo sport preferito, Federica? | What’s your favorite sport, Federica? |
| Federica: | Amo la pallavolo… ci gioco da quando ero bambina! Ed il tuo? | I love volleyball… I’ve been playing it since I was a child! What’s yours? |
| Marco: | Non ne ho uno preferito, ma mi piace molto la pallacanestro! | I don’t have a favorite one, but I really like basketball! |
Example 3:
| Italian | English | |
|---|---|---|
| Claudio: | Hai visto la partita ieri, Eleonora? | Have you seen the match yesterday, Eleonora? |
| Eleonora: | No, mi sono dimenticata! Chi giocava? | No, I forgot! Who was playing? |
| Claudio: | Milan e Inter. Ti sei dimenticata del derby! | Milan and Inter. You forgot about the derby! |
Example conversations whilst playing sports
Well, once you start to play a match of basketball with your new Italian friends, you’ll want to look like you know what you’re doing. And not knowing how to communicate with your teammates may not be your greatest shot. So trying practising examples of conversations in Italian whilst playing sports. We’ve provided a couple of scenarios below.
Example 1:
| Italian | English | |
|---|---|---|
| Matteo: | Passamela! | Pass it to me! |
| Emanuele: | Non posso, sei marcato! | I can’t, you’re being marked! |
Example 2:
| Italian | English | |
|---|---|---|
| Martina: | Ragazze, posso tirare io il rigore? | Girls, can I take the penalty? |
| Giulia: | Sei sicura? Questa è la nostra ultima occasione per arrivare in finale. | Are you sure? This is our last occasion to qualify for the final. |
| Martina: | Si! Fidatevi di me. | Yes! Trust me. |
Example 3:
| Italian | English | |
|---|---|---|
| Filippo: | Ragazzi, non possiamo perdere ancora! Dobbiamo impegnarci di più! | Guys, we can’t lose again! We have to try harder! |
| Mario: | Stiamo facendo del nostro meglio, ma sono troppo forti per noi. | We’re doing our best, but they’re too strong for us. |
| Filippo: | Niente scuse. Andiamo a prenderci quei tre punti! | No excuses. Let’s go take those three points! |
Most popular sports in different Italian-speaking countries
When it comes to picking a favorite sport, Italians won’t seem very imaginative. Ask them about their favorite sport and half of them will answer soccer. You just can’t separate us from calcio - it’s the most beloved and widespread sport in our country! We usually say it’s our “first love”.
In Italy, you pick a favorite club when you’re a child, and you never leave it for your whole life! This will be no different in other Italian-speaking countries like San Marino or Switzerland, or countries with large groups of people of Italian descent, like Brazil and Argentina: everyone loves soccer!
Some tips for great sports experiences in Italy
When visiting a new country, getting in touch with the local culture is a fundamental part of the experience - every traveler knows it! Whether you’re a sports enthusiast or not, there are some great experiences you won’t want to miss for a great stay in the Bel Paese.
Here are some tips for amazing sport activities in Italy:
1. Join the youngsters for a soccer match at Italy’s thousand old oratorios
An “oratorio” is a very typical place in Italian culture. It usually consists of some small futsal or soccer fields made of concrete or grass, owned by the local church. Pretty much every town or city has at least one!
Here you can join youngsters for an old-school, fun, and authentic soccer experience. Just remember one rule of thumb: who owns the ball, makes the rules!
2. Enjoy Calcio Fiorentino, Italy’s most crazy and violent sport
Every year, in the third week of June, the city of Florence gets ready for one of its most ancient and beloved traditions: Calcio Fiorentino. Calcio Fiorentino literally translates to “Florentine soccer”, but if you expect to see a common soccer match, you’re definitely out of the way!
In this old and crazy sport, players from four teams - one for each of Florence’s historic boroughs - will try by any means necessary to get the ball into the opponent’s goal, including being violent against each other. Don’t worry though, a referee will be there to calm down the players when fights occur!
In the past, the winning team used to receive a Chianina, a pure-bred cow. Nowadays, the price has been reduced to a free dinner for the 27 winning players.
3. Discover Italy’s “Path of the Gods”
Italy is run through by two major mountain ranges: the Alps in the north, and the Apennines in the center-south. They both include fantastic places to go hiking!
One of the best picks is Via degli Dei (Path of the Gods), a 130 km (80 miles) path that runs from old and lovely Bologna to the city of Florence. You can walk between the two historic towns on amazing roads in nature, and stop at the numerous old inns along the way!
One last, important thing…
Italians are warm-hearted and welcoming people. Don’t be shy to approach us with a hello in Italian, even if you don’t feel comfortable with the language – we’ll appreciate your effort and surely find a way to understand each other!
Are you ready for fun and authentic sport experiences in the ‘boot’-country? If you’re excited to kick more language learning goals, continue the fun for free, on our Italian blog vocabulary lessons.
