Italian · Body & Health
"Back" in Italian: schiena
la schiena
Back as a body part in Italian is la schiena (lah SKYEH-nah), feminine. Mal di schiena is backache. Do not confuse it with indietro or di nuovo for going back.
After lifting boxes
Mi fa male la schiena.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce schiena
Say it
lah SKYEH-nah
/la ˈskjɛ.na/
Schiena is SKYEH-nah: soft skyeh, then nah. Stress SKYEH.
"Back" in Italian: quick reference
| Italian | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| la schiena | the back Body part. | Body part. |
| mal di schiena | backache Common complaint. | Common complaint. |
| schiena dritta | straight back Posture. | Posture. |
| mi fa male la schiena | my back hurts Pain phrase. | Pain phrase. |
How to use schiena in real life
- 1After lifting boxes
Mi fa male la schiena.
My back hurts.
Classic complaint.
- 2Yoga tip
Tieni la schiena dritta.
Keep your back straight.
Schiena dritta.
- 3Pharmacy ask
Avete qualcosa per la schiena?
Do you have something for the back?
La schiena as the problem area.
Mistakes English speakers make with schiena
Incorrect: Torno schiena a casa.
Correct: Torno indietro a casa. / Torno a casa.
Schiena is the body part; indietro means back/return.
Incorrect: Il schiena è stanca.
Correct: La schiena è stanca.
Schiena is feminine.
Good to know
Mal di schiena is a national small talk topic after travel, gardening, or long train rides. Pharmacies stock endless gels; friends will ask Hai fatto qualcosa alla schiena? before giving advice.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
After a long train ride
ChatPal
Come sta la schiena dopo il viaggio?
How's your back after the trip?
You
La schiena è un po' bloccata.
My back is a bit locked up.
ChatPal
Facciamo due passi: aiuta la schiena.
Let's walk a bit: it helps the back.
You
Sì, e poi metto il calore sulla schiena.
Yes, and then I'll put heat on my back.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Back" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Back" in Italian
Schiena vs indietro?
Schiena is the body; indietro / tornare is going back.
How do you say backache?
Mal di schiena.
Lower back?
La zona lombare, or still la schiena in casual talk.
Is schiena masculine?
No: la schiena.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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