Italian · Home, Clothes & Daily Life

"Backpack" in Italian: zaino

lo zaino

Say it: DZAH-ee-nohmasculine · lo zainonoun/ˈdzai.no/

Backpack in Italian is lo zaino (DZAH-ee-noh). Plural gli zaini. You put things nello zaino and say ho lo zaino pieno before a trip.

Before leaving

Hai messo l'acqua nello zaino?
Did you put water in the backpack?
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How to pronounce zaino

Say it

DZAH-ee-noh

/ˈdzai.no/

Zaino starts with dz: DZAH-ee-noh. Stress ZAH.

"Backpack" in Italian: quick reference

ItalianEnglish
lo zainothe backpack

Default noun.

nello zainoin the backpack

Location.

uno zaino leggeroa light backpack

Travel tip.

gli zainithe backpacks

Plural.

How to use zaino in real life

  1. 1Before leaving

    Hai messo l'acqua nello zaino?

    Did you put water in the backpack?

    Nello zaino.

  2. 2Hostel check-in

    Posso lasciare lo zaino qui un attimo?

    Can I leave the backpack here a moment?

    Lo zaino.

  3. 3Hiking day

    Il mio zaino pesa troppo oggi.

    My backpack is too heavy today.

    Zaino with possessive.

Mistakes English speakers make with zaino

Incorrect: La zaino è piena.

Correct: Lo zaino è pieno.

Zaino is masculine: lo zaino.

Incorrect: Metto tutto in il zaino.

Correct: Metto tutto nello zaino.

In + lo = nello.

Good to know

Students and weekend hikers both live out of uno zaino. On regional trains, keep it at your feet so aisles stay clear—conductors notice bulky bags.

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Packing for a day trip

  1. ChatPal

    Cosa metti nello zaino?

    What are you putting in the backpack?

  2. You

    Giacca, snack e lo zaino resta leggero.

    Jacket, snacks, and the backpack stays light.

  3. ChatPal

    Porta anche una batteria nello zaino.

    Also put a battery pack in the backpack.

  4. You

    Già fatto, grazie del promemoria.

    Already done, thanks for the reminder.

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"Backpack" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "Backpack" in Italian

How do you say backpack?

Lo zaino.

Gender?

Masculine: lo zaino, uno zaino, gli zaini.

In the backpack?

Nello zaino.

School bag too?

Yes—zaino covers school and travel packs.

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