Italian · Body & Health

"Arm" in Italian: braccio

il braccio

Say it: eel BRAHT-chohmasculine · il braccionoun/il ˈbrat.tʃo/

Note: plural: le braccia

Arm in Italian is il braccio (eel BRAHT-choh). The irregular plural is le braccia (feminine plural). Mi fa male il braccio means my arm hurts.

At a clinic

Mi fa male il braccio destro da ieri.
My right arm has hurt since yesterday.
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How to pronounce braccio

Say it

eel BRAHT-choh

/il ˈbrat.tʃo/

Braccio stresses BRAHT: BRAHT-choh. Braccia is BRAHT-chah. Double c before i softens to ch.

"Arm" in Italian: quick reference

ItalianEnglish
il braccioarm

One arm.

le bracciaarms

Irregular plural.

a braccia apertewith open arms

Figurative welcome.

braccio destro / sinistroright / left arm

Specifying the side.

How to use braccio in real life

  1. 1At a clinic

    Mi fa male il braccio destro da ieri.

    My right arm has hurt since yesterday.

    Il braccio + side adjective.

  2. 2Carrying shopping

    Ho le braccia piene di borse.

    My arms are full of bags.

    Plural le braccia.

  3. 3Yoga class cue

    Alza il braccio sinistro lentamente.

    Raise your left arm slowly.

    Imperative with il braccio.

Mistakes English speakers make with braccio

Incorrect: I bracci mi fanno male.

Correct: Le braccia mi fanno male.

The plural is le braccia, not i bracci, in body language.

Incorrect: La braccio è rotto.

Correct: Il braccio è rotto.

Singular braccio is masculine: il braccio.

Good to know

Italian body plurals surprise learners: un braccio, but le braccia. Football commentary talks about un braccio di ferro for an arm-wrestle, and friends greet with open arms—a braccia aperte—after long absences.

Try it in a ChatPal conversation

After a long suitcase haul

  1. ChatPal

    Ti fa male il braccio?

    Does your arm hurt?

  2. You

    Sì, il braccio destro: troppa valigia.

    Yes, the right arm: too much suitcase.

  3. ChatPal

    Riposiamo le braccia un minuto.

    Let's rest our arms a minute.

  4. You

    Va bene: niente borse su quel braccio.

    Fine: no bags on that arm.

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"Arm" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "Arm" in Italian

What is the plural of braccio?

Le braccia for arms. (Technical i bracci exists in other senses.)

How do I say my arm hurts?

Mi fa male il braccio.

Why does gender change in the plural?

It is an irregular body-part plural: masculine singular, feminine plural.

How do I say fold your arms?

Incrocia le braccia.

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