Meaning · noun
submarine
- a naval vessel capable of operating underwater
In a sentence
Il sottomarino scientifico è sceso a grande profondità nell'oceano.
The scientific submarine descended to great depth in the ocean.
I radar della nave non sono riusciti a localizzare il sottomarino.
The ship's radars failed to locate the submarine.
Hai mai visitato l'interno di un vero sottomarino militare?
Have you ever visited the inside of a real military submarine?
Word forms (2)
| Word | Word forms |
|---|
| sottomarino | masculine · singular |
| sottomarini | masculine · plural |
Usage notes
- Regular masculine noun: 'il sottomarino', plural 'i sottomarini'.
- Can also function as an adjective meaning 'underwater' (e.g. 'cavo sottomarino').
Meaning · adjective
underwater, submarine
- Located, living, or occurring beneath the surface of the sea.
In a sentence
I biologi studiano la straordinaria fauna sottomarina di questa barriera corallina.
Biologists are studying the extraordinary underwater fauna of this coral reef.
Un cavo sottomarino garantisce la connessione internet tra i due continenti.
An undersea cable ensures the internet connection between the two continents.
Durante l'escursione abbiamo ammirato grotte sottomarine illuminate dal sole.
During the excursion we admired underwater caves lit up by the sun.
Word forms (4)
| Word | Word forms |
|---|
| sottomarino | masculine · singular |
| sottomarina | feminine · singular |
| sottomarini | masculine · plural |
| sottomarine | feminine · plural |
Usage notes
- As an adjective, it agrees in gender and number: sottomarino, sottomarina, etc.
- It can also be used as a masculine noun meaning 'submarine' ('il sottomarino').
Explore vocabulary lessons →