Meaning
breath, puff (of air)
- breath (of air etc.)
- murmur (of the heart etc.)
- hiss
In a sentence
C'è un soffio d'aria dalla finestra aperta.
There's a breath of air from the open window.
Hai sentito quel soffio nel motore?
Did you hear that hiss in the engine?
Il medico ha sentito un soffio al cuore.
The doctor heard a heart murmur.
Word forms (2)
| Word | Word forms |
|---|---|
| soffio | masculine · singular |
| soffi | masculine · plural |
Usage notes
- Use soffio for a light puff or faint current; vento is general wind, and alito is a person's breath.
- In medicine, soffio often means a heart murmur. Don't confuse it with rumore, which is a general noise.
- For snake or steam sounds, soffio works; sibilo is a sharper, more whistling hiss.