Meaning
ground; soil
- ground, floor
- soil, earth
- land (as opposed to sea or air)
- Earth (the planet)
In a sentence
I bambini giocano per terra in salotto.
The children play on the floor in the living room.
Hai già messo la terra nei vasi?
Have you already put the soil in the pots?
Non buttare i vestiti per terra, per favore.
Don't throw the clothes on the floor, please.
Word forms (2)
| Word | Word forms |
|---|---|
| terra | feminine · singular |
| terre | feminine · plural |
Usage notes
- Use 'terra' for natural ground/soil; 'suolo' is more technical or urban (e.g., construction).
- Avoid 'terra' for 'land' as in nation—use 'paese' or 'nazione' instead.
- No plural form in most senses; 'terre' exists but means 'lands' (e.g., foreign lands).