Meaning
joke, line, beat
- joke, witty remark
- line, cue (in theater or film)
- beat (in music)
- serve, hit (in sports)
In a sentence
Che bella battuta, mi hai fatto ridere.
What a great joke, you made me laugh.
L'attore ha dimenticato la sua prima battuta.
The actor forgot his first line.
Non fare quella battuta davanti a Luca.
Don't make that joke in front of Luca.
Word forms (2)
| Word | Word forms |
|---|---|
| battuta | feminine · singular |
| battute | feminine · plural |
Usage notes
- For a joke line, battuta is more natural than scherzo. Scherzo is a prank or playful act; battuta is usually something said.
- Fare una battuta means to crack a joke or make a quip. Dire una battuta is possible, but fare is very common.
- In sports or physical contexts, battuta can mean a hit or strike, but colpo is broader and more common in everyday speech.