Italian · Body & Health

"Healthy" in Italian: sano/a

sano/a

Say it: SAH-nohadjective/ˈsa.no/

Healthy in Italian is sano (SAH-noh) masculine and sana feminine. Un pasto sano is a healthy meal. Salutare can mean healthy or to greet—context matters.

Choosing lunch

Prendo un'insalata: è più sano.
I'll take a salad: it's healthier.
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How to pronounce sano/a

Say it

SAH-noh

/ˈsa.no/

Sano stresses SAH: SAH-noh. Soft s. Sana is SAH-nah.

"Healthy" in Italian: quick reference

ItalianEnglish
sano / sanahealthy

Food, lifestyle, people.

mangiare sanoto eat healthy

Habits.

uno stile di vita sanoa healthy lifestyle

Broader talk.

cibo sanohealthy food

Menus and shops.

How to use sano/a in real life

  1. 1Choosing lunch

    Prendo un'insalata: è più sano.

    I'll take a salad: it's healthier.

    Più sano.

  2. 2Talking habits

    Cerco una routine sana.

    I'm looking for a healthy routine.

    Sana feminine.

  3. 3About a friend

    Dopo la corsa si sente più sano.

    After the run he feels healthier.

    Più sano.

Mistakes English speakers make with sano/a

Incorrect: Questo cibo è healthy.

Correct: Questo cibo è sano.

Use sano, not English healthy.

Incorrect: Una dieta sano.

Correct: Una dieta sana.

Agree: sana with dieta.

Good to know

Sano shows up on juice bars and nonna advice alike. Italians may call a big Sunday lunch sano if it feels balanced—not only salads count.

Try it in a ChatPal conversation

Picking groceries together

  1. ChatPal

    Vuoi qualcosa di sano per cena?

    Want something healthy for dinner?

  2. You

    Sì, un piatto sano ma gustoso.

    Yes, a healthy but tasty dish.

  3. ChatPal

    Allora prendiamo verdure: è sano e semplice.

    Then let's get vegetables: it's healthy and simple.

  4. You

    Perfetto.

    Perfect.

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"Healthy" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "Healthy" in Italian

Sano or salutare?

Both can mean healthy; sano is the everyday food/lifestyle word.

Feminine?

Sana.

Eat healthy?

Mangiare sano.

Healthy person?

Una persona sana / un ragazzo sano.

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