Italian · Body & Health
"Nail (fingernail)" in Italian: unghia
l'unghia
Fingernail in Italian is l'unghia (LOON-gyah), feminine: un'unghia, due unghie. Nail polish is smalto per unghie.
After cooking
Mi sono rotta un'unghia aprendo la scatola.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce unghia
Say it
LOON-gyah
/ˈun.ɡja/
Unghia stresses OON: OON-gyah. Plural unghie is OON-gyeh.
"Nail (fingernail)" in Italian: quick reference
| Italian | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| l'unghia | the fingernail / toenail Default noun. | Default noun. |
| le unghie | the nails Plural. | Plural. |
| tagliare le unghie | to cut one's nails Grooming. | Grooming. |
| smalto per unghie | nail polish Beauty. | Beauty. |
How to use unghia in real life
- 1After cooking
Mi sono rotta un'unghia aprendo la scatola.
I broke a nail opening the box.
Un'unghia for one.
- 2Salon
Vorrei le unghie corte e pulite, grazie.
I'd like short, clean nails, thanks.
Le unghie plural.
- 3Kids
Taglia le unghie prima di suonare la chitarra.
Cut your nails before playing guitar.
Le unghie in a reminder.
Mistakes English speakers make with unghia
Incorrect: Il unghia è spezzata.
Correct: L'unghia è spezzata.
Unghia is feminine and takes l'/un'.
Incorrect: Mi fa male il nail.
Correct: Mi fa male l'unghia.
Use unghia (not chiodo, which is a metal nail).
Good to know
Chiodo is the metal nail; unghia is the body nail. Mixing them is a classic beginner trap in hardware stores versus salons.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Someone chips a nail before a photo
ChatPal
Tutto ok? Guardi l'unghia.
Everything ok? You're looking at your nail.
You
Ho spezzato un'unghia sullo zaino.
I broke a nail on the backpack.
ChatPal
Ho una limetta. Sistemiamo le unghie in un minuto.
I have a file. We'll fix the nails in a minute.
You
Grazie — così non si vede più.
Thanks — then it won't show.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Nail (fingernail)" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Nail (fingernail)" in Italian
Is unghia a fingernail or toenail?
Both; context or unghia del piede clarifies toes.
What is the plural?
Le unghie.
How do I say nail polish?
Smalto (per unghie).
What is a metal nail called?
Un chiodo.
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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