Italian · Time, Numbers & Colors

"Black" in Italian: nero/a

nero/a

Say it: NEH-rohadjective/ˈnɛ.ro/

Black in Italian is nero (NEH-roh) masculine and nera feminine. Plural neri / nere. Caffè nero means black coffee.

Choosing shoes

Prendo le scarpe nere, sono più pratiche.
I'll take the black shoes — they're more practical.
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How to pronounce nero/a

Say it

NEH-roh

/ˈnɛ.ro/

Nero stresses NEH: NEH-roh. Soft n. Nera is NEH-rah.

"Black" in Italian: quick reference

ItalianEnglish
nero / nerablack

Clothes, hair, objects.

neri / nereblack (plural)

Agree with plural nouns.

vestito di nerodressed in black

Events.

caffè neroblack coffee

Bar orders.

How to use nero/a in real life

  1. 1Choosing shoes

    Prendo le scarpe nere, sono più pratiche.

    I'll take the black shoes — they're more practical.

    Nere.

  2. 2Bar order

    Un caffè nero, senza zucchero.

    A black coffee, no sugar.

    Nero.

  3. 3Outfit check

    Quella maglia nera ti sta bene.

    That black shirt suits you.

    Nera.

Mistakes English speakers make with nero/a

Incorrect: La maglia è nero.

Correct: La maglia è nera.

Agree: nera feminine.

Incorrect: Il vestito è black.

Correct: Il vestito è nero.

Use nero, not English black.

Good to know

Vestirsi di nero is classic for funerals and also for smart evenings. At the bar, nero just means no milk.

Try it in a ChatPal conversation

Picking a concert outfit

  1. ChatPal

    Vai di nero stasera?

    Are you going with black tonight?

  2. You

    Sì, tutto nero e semplice.

    Yes, all black and simple.

  3. ChatPal

    Io metto la giacca nera.

    I'll wear the black jacket.

  4. You

    Perfetto.

    Perfect.

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"Black" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "Black" in Italian

Feminine?

Nera.

Plural?

Neri / nere.

Black coffee?

Caffè nero.

Dressed in black?

Vestito / vestita di nero.

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