Italian Word of the Day: Ciottolo (pebble)

A sasso (stone) that has been made smooth and round by the action of water is a ciottolo (pebble) in Italian. It is the diminutive form of ciotto, an archaic word for pebble.

/ciòt·to·lo/

Ciottolo is a masculine noun whose plural form is ciottoli. The definite and indefinite articles it takes are as follows:

  • il ciottolo = the pebble
  • i ciottoli = the pebbles
  • un ciottolo = a pebble
  • dei ciottoli = (some) pebbles

Prese un ciottolo e lo gettò nell’acqua.

He picked up a pebble and threw it in the water.


Background shot of pastel coloured stones.

Here are three of the most common types of pebbles:

  • ciottolo della spiaggia = beach pebble
  • ciottolo del torrente = stream pebble
  • ciottolo del fiume = river pebble

Note: Ciottolo should not be confused with the similar sounding ciotola which means bowl or dish!

The adjective ciottoloso means pebbly, but when used to refer to the surface of a path or road, it translates as cobblestone. For example, a cobblestone road would be una strada a ciottoli.

In Tuscany, ciottolo is also the word for a terracotta dish.


Sign up for a free trial of LingQ (affiliate link), the app I use to improve my Italian vocabulary, and receive an additional 100 LingQs which can be used before needing to upgrade!

Read our full review of LingQ and find out why we love it so much!


Leave a Comment