I need a spirit level and a tape measure.
li-VEL-la — stress the second syllable; double 'l' gives a crisp hold before the vowel. ME-tro — stress the first syllable.
Use this when starting any installation, shelf-hanging, or tiling project. These two tools are essential and widely available. A livella (spirit level) comes in different lengths — ask for a length appropriate to your job.
Livella (spirit level) is used to check and set horizontal and vertical alignment. Metro (tape measure) is the retractable metal measuring tape. For most household work, a 60cm or 120cm spirit level and a 5m tape measure are adequate. Longer levels (2m) are used for floors and walls.
Un metro da 5 metri.
A 5-metre tape measure.
5m is standard for household use; 8m or 10m for larger projects.
Una livella da muratore a bolle.
A builder's spirit level.
A bolle (with bubbles) refers to the traditional bubble vials in a spirit level.
Avete una livella laser?
Do you have a laser level?
Laser levels project a horizontal or vertical laser line; increasingly affordable and useful.
Italian construction has traditionally used the livella a bolle (bubble spirit level) as the gold standard for alignment. Italy is home to several world-class precision tool manufacturers, including Stabila (German-founded but with major Italian production) and several specialist Italian brands. The laser level has become standard in Italian professional tiling and carpentry in the last decade.