Italian · Home, Clothes & Daily Life
"Stairs" in Italian: scale
le scale
Stairs in Italian is le scale (leh SKAH-leh), a feminine plural. One step is un gradino; a staircase can also be una scala.
No elevator
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How to pronounce scale
Say it
SKAH-leh
/ˈska.le/
Scale is SKAH-leh. Stress SKAH. Singular scala is SKAH-lah.
"Stairs" in Italian: quick reference
| Italian | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| le scale | the stairs Steps you climb in a building. | Steps you climb in a building. |
| salire le scale | to go up the stairs Movement up. | Movement up. |
| scendere le scale | to go down the stairs Movement down. | Movement down. |
| le scale di servizio | service stairs Back staircase. | Back staircase. |
How to use scale in real life
- 1No elevator
Prendiamo le scale: l'ascensore è rotto.
Let's take the stairs: the elevator is broken.
Le scale object.
- 2Fitness
Ogni giorno salgo le scale a piedi.
Every day I climb the stairs on foot.
Salire le scale.
- 3Directions in a building
L'ufficio è in fondo alle scale.
The office is at the top of the stairs.
Alle scale.
Mistakes English speakers make with scale
Incorrect: La scale.
Correct: Le scale.
Scale is plural feminine.
Incorrect: Le stairs.
Correct: Le scale.
Use Italian scale.
Good to know
Older Italian buildings often have many scale and no elevator, so salire le scale is daily life. Friends joke about which floor before they accept a dinner invite.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Arriving at a fourth-floor flat
ChatPal
Facciamo le scale o aspettiamo l'ascensore?
Do we take the stairs or wait for the elevator?
You
Le scale: è più veloce adesso.
The stairs: it's faster now.
ChatPal
Ok. Attento all'ultimo gradino delle scale.
Ok. Watch the last step of the stairs.
You
Grazie. Dopo le scale mi serve acqua.
Thanks. After the stairs I need water.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Stairs" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Stairs" in Italian
Scale or scala?
Le scale for stairs; una scala can mean a ladder or one staircase.
How do I say go upstairs?
Salire le scale or andare di sopra.
Is it always plural?
The set word for stairs is plural le scale.
What is a step?
Un gradino.
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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