Italian · Nature, Animals & Weather

"Sea" in Italian: mare

il mare

Say it: MAH-rehmasculine · il marenoun/ˈma.re/

Sea in Italian is il mare (MAH-reh), a masculine noun. Going to the seaside is andare al mare. Swimming talk uses fare il bagno nel mare or simply al mare in summer plans.

August plans

Domenica andiamo al mare.
Sunday we're going to the sea.
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How to pronounce mare

Say it

MAH-reh

/ˈma.re/

Mare stresses MAH: MAH-reh. Both syllables are open and clear. Keep the r light.

"Sea" in Italian: quick reference

ItalianEnglish
il marethe sea

Default masculine noun.

al mareto/at the seaside

Holiday and weekend plans.

mare calmo / mossocalm / rough sea

Beach and ferry conditions.

bagnarsi in mareto swim in the sea

Going in the water.

How to use mare in real life

  1. 1August plans

    Domenica andiamo al mare.

    Sunday we're going to the sea.

    Al mare is the seaside set phrase.

  2. 2Looking at the water

    Oggi il mare è calmo.

    Today the sea is calm.

    Il mare as weather subject.

  3. 3Ferry warning

    Il mare è troppo mosso per salpare.

    The sea is too rough to sail.

    Mosso means rough.

Mistakes English speakers make with mare

Incorrect: La mare è blu.

Correct: Il mare è blu.

Mare is masculine: il mare.

Incorrect: Andiamo in il mare.

Correct: Andiamo al mare. / Entriamo in mare.

Seaside trips use al mare; entering the water can be in mare.

Good to know

Al mare is a cultural season as much as a place: Ferragosto traffic, beach clubs with ombrelloni, and early swims before the wind rises. Inland speakers still say al mare for any coastal escape.

Try it in a ChatPal conversation

Choosing a day trip from Rome

  1. ChatPal

    Domani si va al mare?

    Shall we go to the sea tomorrow?

  2. You

    Sì, se il mare non è mosso.

    Yes, if the sea isn't rough.

  3. ChatPal

    Le previsioni dicono mare calmo.

    The forecast says calm sea.

  4. You

    Perfetto. Porto la crema per il mare.

    Perfect. I'll bring cream for the sea.

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"Sea" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "Sea" in Italian

Is mare masculine?

Yes: il mare, un mare, i mari.

What does al mare mean?

To the seaside or at the seaside for a beach trip.

How do I say rough sea?

Mare mosso. Calm is mare calmo.

How do I pronounce mare?

MAH-reh, stress on the first syllable.

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