Italian word of the day
| Pronunciation | |
| English translation | To nail, to hammer in |
| Origin | From the noun chiodo, “nail”. Note that “nail” as a fingernail is called unghia, so it’s a completely different word in Italian! |
Example
| Sto inchiodando delle assi per costruire un tavolo. | I am nailing planks to build a table. |
Related words
Inchiodare can also mean “to pin down” or “to be stuck”, either physically or metaphorically.
| Federico inchioda il ladro al muro prima che possa scappare. | Federico pins the thief to the wall before he can escape. |
| Sono le diciannove e sono inchiodato in ufficio dalle otto di stamattina. | It is nineteen o’clock and I have been stuck in the office since eight o’clock this morning. |
You can use inchiodare to translate “to nail” in the sense of catching or proving someone’s guilt.
| Il sangue sul muro è la prova che inchioda il colpevole. | The blood on the wall is the evidence that nails the culprit. |
Finally, inchiodare in Italian also refers to the action of slamming on the brakes, bringing a car to a sudden and forceful stop.
| Il gatto attraversa la strada e Gabriele inchioda per non investirlo. | The cat crosses the road and Gabriele slamps on the brakes so as not to run it over. |
More free Italian resources
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