heypolyglot
Italian

travaglio

/traˈvaʎ.ʎo/noun · masculineC1
Extended vocabulary · Vocabulary rank 5,049

Meaning

labour; ordeal

  • the physical process of childbirth; labour
  • intense physical or mental suffering, agony, or struggle

In a sentence

La donna è entrata in travaglio durante la notte.

The woman went into labour during the night.

Il travaglio è durato più di dodici ore ma è andato tutto bene.

The labour lasted more than twelve hours, but everything went well.

Dopo anni di travaglio interiore ha ritrovato la serenità.

After years of inner turmoil, he regained his peace of mind.

Word forms (2)
WordWord forms
travagliomasculine · singular
travaglimasculine · plural

Usage notes

  • False friend: unlike French 'travail' or Spanish 'trabajo', it does not mean everyday work.
  • Medical sense: 'entrare in travaglio' means 'to go into labour'.

Related words

Opposites

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