False Friends — Technology
100 Italian words that look like English — but aren't
A1
Not a true false friend in terms of spelling, but Italian learners confuse 'tastiera' (keyboard) with English 'taste'/'taster'. 'Tastiera' comes from 'tasto' (key/button), not from 'taste'. Do not say *'taste'* when you mean keyboard.
'Stampante' comes from 'stampare' (to print/stamp), so it looks related to English 'stamp'. But the device is called a 'printer' in English, not a 'stamp machine'. In Italian, 'francobollo' = postage stamp.
A loanword from English, widely used in Italian tech. However, 'file' in older or formal Italian also means a row/queue (as in 'in fila'). Context is key. Do not use 'file' when you mean to wait in line — say 'fila'.
A perfect loanword in tech. However, 'tablet' in Italian pharmacies also means a pill/tablet (medicine). In a tech shop it means the device; in a pharmacy it means a pill. Context is everything.
A safe cognate, but in Italian 'monitor' is also a person who supervises activities (e.g., 'monitor estivo' = summer camp supervisor). Do not confuse the two meanings.
A direct English loanword used in Italian. The plural is invariable in Italian: 'i link' (not 'i links'). Learners often add an 's' following English rules, which sounds unnatural in Italian.
A direct English loanword, used only in the tech sense in Italian. Italians would not call a window shopper a 'browser' — they say 'curioso' or 'una persona che guarda'. The plural is 'i browser' (invariable).
A perfect loanword, but 'password' in Italian is feminine: 'la password'. Learners sometimes make it masculine. Also, the plural is invariable: 'le password' (not 'le passwords').
'Account' in Italian is used only in the digital/online sense. For a bank account, Italians use 'conto bancario' or just 'conto', not 'account'. English speakers may use 'account' for banking when speaking Italian — this sounds unnatural.
'Chat' in Italian refers specifically to digital messaging. For a casual face-to-face conversation, Italians say 'chiacchierata' or 'parlata'. Saying *'facciamo una chat'* about meeting for coffee sounds unnatural — say 'facciamo due chiacchiere'.
A perfect loanword, but in Italian 'app' is feminine: 'un'app', 'l'app', 'le app'. Learners sometimes make it masculine. The plural is invariable: 'le app' (not 'le apps').
In Italian, 'mouse' refers only to the computer peripheral. The animal mouse is 'topo' in Italian. Saying *'ho visto un mouse in cucina'* means you saw a computer mouse in the kitchen, not a rodent. Use 'topo' for the animal.
A perfect loanword. 'Desktop' in Italian refers to both the computer screen workspace and a desktop/tower PC (as opposed to a laptop). The plural is invariable: 'i desktop'.
'Email' is feminine in Italian: 'l'email', 'un'email'. The formal alternative 'posta elettronica' is used in official documents. Some Italians also use 'la mail' informally. Do not use *'l'email'* with a masculine article.
'Web' in Italian is used only for the internet/digital context. For a spider's web, Italians say 'ragnatela'. Saying *'il ragno ha fatto un web'* is incorrect — say 'il ragno ha fatto una ragnatela'.
A perfect loanword. In Italian, 'software' is an invariable noun (masculine): 'il software', 'i software' (not 'i softwares'). Also, Italians use it for both an individual program and software in general — just like English.
A reliable cognate. 'Errore' = error/mistake in both tech and everyday Italian. The only trap: in Italian, 'fare un errore' = to make a mistake (using 'fare', not 'commettere' which is more formal). In tech contexts, 'errore' is the standard term.
'Like' in Italian is used only as a noun for social media engagement ('dare un like' = to give a like, to press like). The verb 'to like' = 'piacere' in Italian (e.g., 'mi piace' = I like it). Never say *'io laiko'* — say 'metto mi piace' or 'metto un like'.
A perfect loanword. The plural in Italian is invariable: 'i selfie' (not 'i selfies'). Also note: Italians say 'fare un selfie' (to make/take a selfie) rather than 'scattare un selfie' — though both are used.
A major false friend: English 'camera' = Italian 'fotocamera' or 'macchina fotografica'. Italian 'camera' means a room (bedroom = 'camera da letto'). Saying *'ho una bella camera sul telefono'* means 'I have a nice room on my phone', which is nonsense.
A2
Looks like a perfect cognate, but in Italian 'applicazione' is mostly used for software apps and diligence/effort. For a 'job application' you say 'candidatura' or 'domanda di lavoro', not 'applicazione'.
Looks identical, but 'supporto' in Italian is more formal/written. In casual speech Italians also use 'assistenza'. 'Supporto emotivo' = emotional support is valid, but 'supportare' a sports team sounds unnatural — use 'tifare per'.
A reliable cognate in tech, but 'memoria' in Italian can specifically mean RAM ('memoria RAM'), storage ('memoria di massa'), or human recollection. English speakers may incorrectly use 'storage' contexts — in Italian, 'archiviazione' or 'spazio di archiviazione' is preferred for file storage.
'Cavo' looks and sounds like 'cave', but it means cable. The word for a cave in Italian is 'grotta' or 'caverna'. A classic visual false friend.
Not a direct visual match but often confused because 'schermo' also historically meant a protective shield. In modern Italian it is the primary word for any display/screen. 'Schermatura' = shielding (electrical), not 'screening'.
'Cartella' = folder in computing, but also a school satchel. 'Cartel' in English is entirely different (criminal/business collusion). Do not confuse when discussing digital organization.
A reliable cognate in tech, but 'connessione' is rarely used for personal relationships in Italian — use 'legame' or 'rapporto'. English speakers overuse 'connessione' in social contexts where Italians would choose a different word.
A safe cognate for tech usage. However, 'segnale' also covers traffic signals ('segnale stradale'). The app 'Signal' is called 'Signal' in Italian too — but do not confuse the brand name with the common noun.
Not a spelling false friend, but learners confuse 'caricatore' (charger) with the English word 'character' due to sound similarity when spoken quickly. Additionally, 'caricatore' in a military context means a gun magazine, not a charger.
A perfect cognate in both tech and biology. However, in Italian 'virus' is invariable — the plural is still 'virus' (not 'viruses'). Learners sometimes add an Italian plural: *'i virii'* which is incorrect.
'Navigare' is the standard Italian verb for browsing the internet ('navigare in rete'). However, it also literally means to sail a ship. Italians do not say 'fare browsing' — 'navigare' is the native term.
'Programma' works for software but also for TV schedules ('programma televisivo') and daily plans ('programma della giornata'). English speakers often use only 'program' for software — in Italian the same word covers all these meanings.
'Disco rigido' = hard disk drive. But 'disco' alone in Italian also means a music record and the disco music/nightclub genre. English speakers may confuse 'disco' (Italian for disk/record) with the English word for the dance music genre.
'Accesso' works perfectly for tech access. However, it also means an 'outburst' or 'fit' in Italian (e.g., 'accesso di rabbia' = fit of rage) — a meaning with no equivalent in English 'access'.
A perfect cognate for data measurement. However, in informal Italian 'un po'' (a little) is sometimes colloquially called 'un bit' in tech circles. The real trap: 'byte' ≠ 'bite' — 'byte' is pronounced the same as English, but 'bite' in Italian (morso) sounds nothing like it.
'Chip' in Italian means microchip in tech but also means a fried potato chip (American English: chip; British English: crisp). English speakers sometimes use 'chip' thinking it only means the snack, while Italians use it for both — context determines which.
'Cloud' is used in Italian exclusively in the tech sense. For a weather cloud, Italians say 'nuvola'. Mixing them up is a classic error: *'Guarda le cloud nel cielo!'* — incorrect. Say 'nuvole'.
'Server' in Italian is only used in the tech sense. A restaurant waiter is 'cameriere', never 'server'. English speakers from the US who call restaurant staff 'servers' should note this does not translate.
'Backup' is used in Italian exclusively in the tech/data sense. Unlike in English, you would not call a substitute football player a 'backup' in Italian — use 'riserva'. Plural: 'i backup' (invariable).
'Spam' is used in Italian only in the digital/email sense. The canned meat product is rarely available in Italy and the connection to the internet term is not commonly known. Plural: invariable.
'Bug' in Italian is used only in the tech sense (software error). Italians do not call insects 'bug' — they use 'insetto'. Also, 'mi stai scocciando' or 'mi stai dando fastidio' = you are bugging me (not 'mi stai buggando').
A perfect loanword, but Italian learners sometimes confuse 'byte' (unit of data) with 'bite' (morso = bite of food). The words sound similar in some accents. 'Ho mangiato un byte' would be a geek joke in Italian, not a translation of 'I took a bite'.
'Streaming' in Italian is used only in the digital media sense. The English metaphorical meanings (streaming tears, people streaming out) do not transfer. Also, the Italian phrase is 'guardare in streaming' not 'guardare streaming' alone.
'Upload' is used in Italian as a loanword, but the native Italian term 'caricare' (to load/upload) is also correct and preferred in formal writing. 'Fare l'upload' and 'caricare un file' mean the same thing.
'Download' is widely used in Italian, but the native equivalent 'scaricare' (to download/unload) is equally common. 'Scaricare un file' = to download a file. Note: 'scaricare' also means to discharge a battery or unload cargo — context is key.
In Italian, 'social' is used as an informal noun/abbreviation for 'social media' ('i social'). The full adjective is 'sociale'. 'Le politiche sociali' = social policies (not 'le politiche social'). Learners mix the loanword with the adjective.
'Notifica' is used for both digital notifications and formal legal notices (e.g., 'notifica di sfratto' = eviction notice). In tech, it maps perfectly to English 'notification'. No major trap — but the legal usage might surprise learners.
A perfect tech loanword. In English, 'hardware store' sells tools and fittings — in Italian this is a 'ferramenta'. Italians never call a tool shop 'hardware'; the word is used only in computing.
A reliable cognate. 'Profilo' in Italian also means the physical side view of a face (like a profile portrait in art). 'Di profilo' = from the side/in profile. In tech, it maps perfectly to English 'profile'.
'Codice' = code in all senses: source code, zip code ('codice postale'), QR code ('codice QR'), tax code ('codice fiscale'), and legal code ('codice civile'). English speakers may say 'zip code' in Italian — the correct term is 'codice di avviamento postale' or simply 'codice postale'.
'Indirizzo' covers both physical and digital addresses perfectly. The trap is the verb 'to address' a problem — in Italian you use 'affrontare' or 'trattare', not *'indirizzare'* (which means to direct/send to an address).
A reliable cognate. 'Sistema operativo' = operating system (OS). The only confusion: 'dare del filo da torcere al sistema' = to challenge the system. In Italian, 'sistema' also informally means 'a way/method' (e.g., 'trovare un sistema' = to find a way).
'Feed' in Italian is used only in the digital sense (social media feed, RSS feed). The English meaning 'to give food to' = 'dare da mangiare' in Italian. Animal fodder = 'mangime'. Do not use 'feed' in Italian when talking about food.
A perfect loanword. In Italian, 'hashtag' is invariable and its gender is debated — some say 'l'hashtag' (masculine), others 'lo hashtag'. The '#' symbol alone in Italian is called 'cancelletto' (sharp/hash) in non-tech contexts.
'Follower' in Italian is used only for social media. A religious or political follower would be 'seguace' or 'sostenitore'. The plural in Italian is invariable: 'i follower' (not 'i followers').
'Post' in Italian (as a loanword) = a social media post. Mail = 'posta'. A job position = 'posto' or 'posizione'. The word 'post' is invariable in Italian: 'i post' (not 'i posts'). Do not confuse with 'posta' (mail) which is a different word.
A direct loanword. Interesting note: 'influencer' in Italian is sometimes feminine: 'un'influencer' or 'una influencer'. Do not confuse with 'influenza' (the flu/illness or influence as a noun) — these are different words with different meanings.
A direct loanword used only in the internet context. Plural is invariable: 'i meme' (not 'i memes'). Pronunciation in Italian often follows English: /miːm/. The Dawkins biological/cultural meaning is rarely discussed in Italian.
A perfect loanword. Plural: 'i podcast' (invariable). Italians say 'ascoltare un podcast' (to listen to a podcast). The word is masculine in Italian: 'il podcast'.
A direct loanword, but the native Italian equivalent 'nome utente' is also used, especially in official interfaces. Some Italians say 'user' informally. The plural is invariable: 'gli username'.
'Cookie' in Italian is used for both browser cookies and the food item (imported from American English). However, the traditional Italian word for a biscuit-type cookie is 'biscotto'. The plural is 'i cookie' (invariable in the tech sense).
A perfect cognate. 'Antenna' in Italian covers both the tech antenna and insect antennae. In British English, 'aerial' is commonly used for TV/radio antennas — Italians only say 'antenna'. No major trap here, but learners may use 'aeriale' which does not exist in Italian.
'Batteria' = battery in tech, but also = drum kit in music. A musician who plays drums is a 'batterista'. In Italian, 'batteria' can never mean assault (legal sense) — that would be 'aggressione'. Do not confuse the tech and music meanings.
A reliable cognate in tech. However, 'documento' in Italian also specifically refers to an identity document (ID, passport). 'Hai i documenti?' ('Do you have your documents?') almost always means 'Do you have your ID?' — not 'Do you have the files?'.
A perfect cognate. However, in Italian 'robot da cucina' = food processor (kitchen robot). English speakers should not translate 'food processor' as *'processore di cibo'* — the Italian term is 'robot da cucina'. Plural: invariable ('i robot').
'Stampare' = to print (documents), not to stamp (a passport or envelope). To stamp a passport = 'timbrare il passaporto'. To put a stamp on an envelope = 'mettere il francobollo'. Learners who know 'stamp' may guess *'stampare'* for all three — only the printing meaning is correct.
A reliable cognate. 'Attivare' = to activate in tech and in general. However, 'attivare' is also used for more general actions: 'attivare una procedura' = to start a procedure. Do not say *'iniziare la licenza'* when you mean to activate it.
A perfect cognate. 'Installare' = to install. The noun is 'installazione' (installation). 'Disinstallare' = to uninstall (note: not *'de-installare'*). These map neatly onto English tech vocabulary.
B1
In tech contexts, 'rete' = network. 'Navigare in rete' = to browse the internet. But 'rete' also means a physical net (fishing net, goal net in football). Context determines the meaning.
A near-perfect cognate for CPU, but 'processore' never means a food processor in Italian — that is 'robot da cucina'. Also, a 'processo' in Italian is a legal trial or a process, not a running program.
'Digitale' looks like a perfect cognate, but it also has the anatomical meaning related to fingers (from Latin 'digitus'). 'Impronta digitale' = fingerprint, not 'digital print'. Do not confuse these contexts.
'Registro' = registry/record (noun), but 'to register' = 'registrarsi'. Learners often say *'fare un registro'* when they mean 'registrarsi' (to sign up / create an account).
A near-perfect cognate, but 'archivio' in Italian also refers to a physical filing room or records office in a government building. Learners may over-generalise it to mean any old file storage.
A reliable tech cognate. However, Italians often shorten it to 'config' in informal tech speech, just like English. The false trap is for Italian learners who avoid the word thinking it sounds too English.
'Aggiornamento' = update in tech, but also 'adjournment' or 'bringing up to date' in formal/legal Italian. English speakers might say *'update'* in Italian — while Italians understand it, the native word is 'aggiornamento'.
A reliable tech cognate. The only confusion is that in Italian 'interfaccia' is feminine ('la interfaccia'), so learners may forget to use the correct article. Also, 'interfacciarsi con' = to interface with (a person or system).
'Portale' is used for large web portals and institutional websites. However, it also means a grand architectural doorway or gate (e.g., the portal of a cathedral). English speakers may picture a sci-fi portal — in Italian it is more often a formal/institutional website.
'Reboot' is used in Italian tech contexts but the native Italian equivalent 'riavvio' (or 'riavviare' the verb) is also common and often preferred in formal writing. 'Riavviare il sistema' is more Italian than 'fare il reboot'.
'Driver' in Italian means both a device driver (software) and a person who drives. However, in formal Italian a person who drives is 'conducente' (public transport) or 'autista' (personal driver). The tech meaning is always 'driver'. Do not confuse the two.
A reliable cognate. The only confusion is that in Italian 'algoritmo' is masculine ('l'algoritmo'), which learners may forget. Also, Italians increasingly use 'algoritmo' in everyday speech to mean any automated system that makes decisions.
A perfect loanword. The plural in Italian is invariable: 'i pixel' (not 'i pixels'). This rule applies to most English loanwords in Italian — no 's' is added for plurals.
'Banda larga' = broadband. 'Banda' alone = band (music) or gang. 'Banda larga' is NOT 'large band' — it means broadband. Learners sometimes translate 'broadband' as *'banda ampia'* which is incorrect; the fixed term is 'banda larga'.
A reliable cognate. 'Piattaforma' = digital platform in tech, but also a physical raised floor, a railway platform (though Italians more often say 'binario' for a train platform), and a work platform. Do not confuse the tech and physical meanings.
'Dominio' in tech = internet domain. But it also means dominion (territory), a field of expertise ('nel dominio della fisica'), and mastery/control. Do not use 'dominio' when you mean a house address — that is 'indirizzo'.
'Contenuto' = content (noun, material/substance), but also means 'contained' or 'satisfied' as a past participle (e.g., 'era contenuto' = he was restrained/contained). The English adjective 'content' (satisfied) = 'soddisfatto' in Italian, not 'contenuto'.
'Velocità' = both speed and velocity in Italian — it covers both the everyday and the physics sense. In English, 'speed' and 'velocity' are distinct (velocity has direction). Learners sometimes use 'velocity' in English when they simply mean 'speed', under Italian influence.
'Scheda' looks nothing like 'card', but it is the correct Italian word for computer cards (graphics card = 'scheda grafica', network card = 'scheda di rete', SIM card = 'scheda SIM'). It also means an index card or a form to fill in. English speakers may say *'carta grafica'* which is incorrect.
'Porta' primarily means a door in Italian, but in tech it also means a port (USB, HDMI, network port). English speakers learning Italian may not associate 'porta' (door) with a computer port. Also, 'porto' (harbour) is different from 'porta' (door/port in tech).
A reliable cognate in tech. 'Frequenza' = frequency (physics) and also 'attendance' in Italian ('frequenza scolastica' = school attendance rate). English speakers may not expect the 'attendance' meaning.
'Captcha' is used as a loanword in Italian with no native equivalent. In Italian it is always lowercase ('captcha', not all caps). An amusing near-false-friend: 'capire' (to understand) — but 'captcha' has nothing to do with understanding.
'Trending' is used informally in Italian, but the native expression is 'di tendenza' (trending/fashionable) or 'in tendenza'. The English loanword is common in youth/social media language but sounds informal. 'Tendenza' = trend.
A direct loanword used only in the tech security sense in Italian. The physical building term (fire-resistant wall) = 'parete tagliafuoco' in Italian. Plural: invariable ('i firewall').
A reliable cognate. 'Sensore' = sensor. Note: 'digitale' in 'impronta digitale' (fingerprint) does not mean 'digital' in the tech sense — it means 'of the finger' (from Latin 'digitus'). Context is key.
'Scansione' = a scan (the noun). 'Scansionare' = to scan (the verb). 'Scansione antivirus' = virus scan. In everyday speech, Italians also use the English loanword 'scan'. The word 'scansione' in literary Italian also means scanning a verse for meter — a completely different meaning.
'Cartuccia' = printer ink cartridge or a bullet cartridge. In Italian, 'essere l'ultima cartuccia' (to be the last cartridge) = to be the last resort. Video game cartridges are also called 'cartucce'. A useful word, but the bullet meaning can surprise learners.
'Larghezza' = width (not 'largeness'). 'Largo' = wide/broad, not 'large' in English. 'Largo' ≠ large. 'Large' in English = grande in Italian. 'Larghezza di banda' = bandwidth (literally 'band width'). A classic Italian-English false friend at the adjective level that carries over into tech vocabulary.
A perfect cognate. 'Sincronizzare' = to sync/synchronise. The informal English 'to sync' = 'sincronizzare' (there is no direct Italian equivalent of the shortened form 'sync'; Italians say 'sincronizzare' in full).
'Banda larga' = broadband. 'Larga' means wide/broad, not large. Learners may translate this as 'large band' (incorrect) or confuse 'larga' with English 'large'. The correct translation is 'broadband'. 'Banda stretta' = narrowband.
A perfect phrase-level cognate. The abbreviation in Italian is 'IA' (intelligenza artificiale), not 'AI'. However, the English abbreviation 'AI' is also widely understood and used informally in Italy. Learners may say *'AI'* in Italian contexts where 'IA' is the correct local acronym.