Italian · Time, Numbers & Colors
"Red" in Italian: rosso/a
rosso/a
In Italian, red is rosso (ROHS-soh). Like most colors ending in -o, it changes to match the noun: rosso and rossi for masculine, rossa and rosse for feminine. So you say il vino rosso but la macchina rossa.
Ordering at a trattoria
Per me un bicchiere di vino rosso della casa, grazie.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce rosso/a
Say it
ROHS-soh
/ˈros.so/
Hold the double s in the middle: ROHS-soh, with the stress on the first syllable. Tap or roll the r at the start with the tip of your tongue. Keep both o sounds short and steady.
"Red" in Italian: quick reference
| Italian | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| rosso | red (m) With masculine singular nouns: il vino rosso, un vestito rosso. | With masculine singular nouns: il vino rosso, un vestito rosso. |
| rossa | red (f) With feminine singular nouns: una mela rossa. | With feminine singular nouns: una mela rossa. |
| rossi / rosse | red (plural) Masculine and feminine plural: i pomodori rossi, le rose rosse. | Masculine and feminine plural: i pomodori rossi, le rose rosse. |
| rosso scuro | dark red Two-word colors never change: una giacca rosso scuro. | Two-word colors never change: una giacca rosso scuro. |
| diventare rosso/a | to go red, to blush For embarrassment: sono diventata rossa (I blushed), said by a woman. | For embarrassment: sono diventata rossa (I blushed), said by a woman. |
How to use rosso/a in real life
- 1Ordering at a trattoria
Per me un bicchiere di vino rosso della casa, grazie.
For me, a glass of the house red wine, thanks.
Il vino della casa is the house wine, often served by the glass or in a small carafe.
- 2Crossing the street
Fermati, il semaforo è rosso!
Stop, the light is red!
Il semaforo (traffic light) is masculine, so the color stays rosso.
- 3Shopping for clothes
Avete questa giacca anche in rosso?
Do you have this jacket in red too?
After in, use the basic masculine form: in rosso, in verde, in blu.
Mistakes English speakers make with rosso/a
Incorrect: Una macchina rosso
Correct: Una macchina rossa
Rosso agrees with the noun. Macchina is feminine, so the color becomes rossa.
Incorrect: Una rossa mela
Correct: Una mela rossa
Colors go after the noun in Italian. Putting the color first sounds poetic or odd in everyday speech.
Good to know
Red shows up in some well-known Italian traditions. Many Italians wear red underwear on New Year's Eve for luck in the year ahead, and Ferrari's racing cars are nicknamed la Rossa. In history books you will also meet the camicie rosse, the Red Shirts who fought with Garibaldi for Italian unification.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Buying a scarf at a market in Florence
ChatPal
Buongiorno! Questa sciarpa rossa è l'ultima che abbiamo.
Good morning! This red scarf is the last one we have.
You
È bellissima! Quanto costa?
It's beautiful! How much is it?
ChatPal
Venti euro. C'è anche la stessa in rosso scuro, se preferisce.
Twenty euros. There's also the same one in dark red, if you prefer.
You
No, prendo quella rossa, grazie. Accettate la carta?
No, I'll take the red one, thanks. Do you take cards?
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Red" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Red" in Italian
How many forms does rosso have?
Four: rosso (masculine singular), rossa (feminine singular), rossi (masculine plural), and rosse (feminine plural). Pick the one that matches the noun: le scarpe rosse, i fiori rossi.
Is rosa the same as rossa?
No. Rosa means pink (and rose), and it never changes its ending: una maglia rosa. Rossa, with a double s, is red, so say that double s clearly.
How do I order red wine in Italian?
Ask for un vino rosso, or just un rosso in a bar or restaurant. For white wine, the short form is un bianco.
How do you say red hair in Italian?
Say i capelli rossi. In casual speech, a redhead is often called un rosso or una rossa.
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
Keep reading
- How to Learn Italian Fast and Speak with ConfidenceLearn how to learn Italian with a clear roadmap, speaking-first tactics and daily habits that turn basics into real conversation confidence.
- Translate Hello in Italian with ConfidenceLearn how to translate hello in Italian with context, pronunciation, and practice prompts. Master ciao, buongiorno, buonasera, and salve for real conversations.
