Meaning
subsoil; underground
- the ground below the surface
- underground layer of a city or area
- subsoil containing pipes, cables, or resources
In a sentence
Nel sottosuolo passano tubi e cavi elettrici.
Pipes and electrical cables run underground.
Sai cosa c'è nel sottosuolo di questa zona?
Do you know what is in the subsoil of this area?
Il sottosuolo non è adatto a nuovi scavi.
The subsoil is not suitable for new excavations.
Word forms (2)
| Word | Word forms |
|---|---|
| sottosuolo | masculine · singular |
| sottosuoli | masculine · plural |
Usage notes
- Often used in urban and technical contexts: il sottosuolo cittadino.
- Can refer both to natural ground and underground infrastructure.
- Do not confuse with metropolitana, which means subway system.