Italian · Body & Health
"Chest" in Italian: petto
il petto
Chest in Italian is il petto (eel PET-toh), masculine. Mal di petto is chest pain or a heavy chest cold. Petto also appears in food talk for breast meat, but here it is the body part.
After a hard workout
Sento il petto stanco dopo la corsa.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce petto
Say it
eel PET-toh
/il ˈpet.to/
Petto is PET-toh with a double t that you hold briefly. Stress the first syllable.
"Chest" in Italian: quick reference
| Italian | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| il petto | the chest Default body noun. | Default body noun. |
| mal di petto | chest pain / chest cold Health complaint. | Health complaint. |
| petto in fuori | chest out Posture cue. | Posture cue. |
| dolore al petto | pain in the chest Clear medical phrasing. | Clear medical phrasing. |
How to use petto in real life
- 1After a hard workout
Sento il petto stanco dopo la corsa.
I feel my chest tired after the run.
Il petto as the body area.
- 2Doctor visit
Ho un dolore leggero al petto.
I have a light pain in my chest.
Al petto for location.
- 3Fitting a jacket
Questa giacca è stretta sul petto.
This jacket is tight on the chest.
Sul petto for clothing fit.
Mistakes English speakers make with petto
Incorrect: La petto fa male.
Correct: Il petto fa male.
Petto is masculine: il petto.
Incorrect: Ho male nella cassa.
Correct: Ho male al petto.
Use petto for the body; cassa is a box or till.
Good to know
Mal di petto is an old-fashioned but still heard label for a heavy cough or chesty cold. At the gym, petto also means chest day. For emotional 'my heart,' Italians more often say cuore than petto.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Checking a tight shirt fit
ChatPal
Ti stringe sul petto questa camicia?
Is this shirt tight on your chest?
You
Sì, sul petto è un po' stretta.
Yes, on the chest it's a bit tight.
ChatPal
Prova la taglia dopo: lascia spazio al petto.
Try the next size: leave room for the chest.
You
Ok. Preferisco non sentire pressione sul petto.
Ok. I prefer not to feel pressure on my chest.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Chest" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Chest" in Italian
Is petto masculine?
Yes: il petto, un petto.
What is mal di petto?
A chesty cold or chest discomfort in everyday talk.
Petto vs seno?
Petto is the chest area; seno is breast.
Chicken breast?
Petto di pollo—same word in food contexts.
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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