Italian Education Vocabulary: Education Words in Italian

Italian Education Vocabulary

Start with the most common words, then expand your knowledge with intermediate and advanced vocabulary.

Beginner (A1)

desk il banco
classmate il compagno/la compagna di classe
homework il compito
book il libro
teacher il professore/la professoressa
notebook il quaderno
pupil l'alunno/l'alunna
art l'arte
classroom l'aula
exam l'esame
eraser la gomma
blackboard la lavagna
lesson la lezione
language la lingua
pencil la matita
music la musica
pen la penna
recess la ricreazione
ruler la riga
school la scuola
primary school la scuola elementare
middle school la scuola media
chair la sedia
student lo studente/la studentessa
backpack lo zaino

Elementary (A2)

course il corso
dictionary il dizionario
dormitory il dormitorio
high school la scuola superiore
globe il mappamondo
project il progetto
essay il tema
grade il voto
physical education l'educazione fisica
education l'istruzione
schedule l'orario
university l'università
library la biblioteca
calculator la calcolatrice
geography la geografia
field trip la gita scolastica
mathematics la matematica
subject la materia
canteen la mensa
report card la pagella
science la scienza
kindergarten la scuola materna
history la storia

Intermediate & Advanced (B1-C1)

college il college
diploma il diploma
lecturer il docente/la docente
laboratory il laboratorio
principal il preside/la preside
semester il semestre
graduation cap il tocco
tutor il tutor/la tutor
academic year l'anno accademico
yearbook l'annuario
assistant l'assistente
extracurricular activity l'attività extracurricolare
enrollment l'iscrizione
vocational school l'istituto professionale
biology la biologia
scholarship la borsa di studio
chemistry la chimica
knowledge la conoscenza
faculty la facoltà
physics la fisica
attendance la frequenza
degree la laurea
literature la letteratura
presentation la presentazione
detention la punizione
research la ricerca
internship lo stage
alumni gli ex studenti
academic adviser il relatore / la relatrice
curriculum il programma di studi
debate il dibattito
department il dipartimento
plagiarism il plagio
syllabus il sillabo
seminar il seminario
philosophy la filosofia
tuition la retta
tuition fee la tassa d'iscrizione
thesis la tesi
gown la toga
scholar lo studioso/la studiosa
fraternity la confraternita universitaria
sorority la sorellanza studentesca

Example Sentences

In proper context. With highlighted verbs and adjectives.

Beginner & Elementary (A1-A2)

Essential sentences for daily school routines and basic educational contexts.

Marco insegna matematica nella scuola del paese. Marco teaches mathematics in the village school.
Lo studente studia ogni pomeriggio per l'esame. The student studies every afternoon for the exam.
L'alunno scrive il compito nel quaderno verde. The pupil writes the homework in the green notebook.
La professoressa legge una storia durante la lezione. The teacher reads a story during the lesson.
La classe ascolta la spiegazione con molta attenzione. The class listens to the explanation very attentively.
L'esame di storia è davvero difficile per me. The history exam is really difficult for me.
Ho comprato uno zaino nuovo per il nuovo anno. I bought a new backpack for the new year.
L'aula di scienze è sempre molto ordinata. The science classroom is always very orderly.
La lezione di geografia è stata molto interessante. The geography lesson was very interesting.
La studentessa è pronta per la presentazione. The student is ready for the presentation.

Intermediate & Advanced (B1-C1)

More complex structures discussing university, academic research, and formal education.

Gli studenti devono frequentare il laboratorio di chimica. Students must attend the chemistry laboratory.
Il candidato presenta la sua tesi davanti alla commissione. The candidate presents his thesis before the committee.
Spera di conseguire una borsa di studio prestigiosa. She hopes to obtain a prestigious scholarship.
Il dipartimento organizza un seminario di filosofia la prossima settimana. The department is organizing a philosophy seminar next week.
Insieme al relatore discutono i dettagli della ricerca. Together with the advisor they discuss the research details.
Il calendario accademico include due sessioni principali d'esame. The academic calendar includes two main exam sessions.
La ricerca per il dottorato si è rivelata molto impegnativa. The doctoral research turned out to be very demanding.
La frequenza al corso di fisica è obbligatoria per tutti. Attendance at the physics course is mandatory for everyone.
Il professore richiede un'analisi approfondita del testo. The professor requires a thorough analysis of the text.
Ha festeggiato una laurea prestigiosa con amici e colleghi. She celebrated a prestigious degree with friends and colleagues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Clear explanations about the Italian education system, university life, and essential academic vocabulary.

Italy uses two distinct grading scales depending on whether you are in primary/secondary school or university:

Primary & Secondary School (1 to 10): Grades range from 1 to 10, with 6 being a passing grade (la sufficienza). A grade of 8 or above is considered very good, while below 6 is failing.
University System (18 to 30): Italian university exams are graded out of 30. The minimum passing mark is 18/30. The highest grade is 30/30, often awarded with praise (30 e lode).
Degree Final Grade (out of 110): Final graduation marks are out of 110 points, with 110 e lode being the highest possible distinction.

The school trajectory in Italy is divided into clear mandatory and higher education levels:

Scuola dell'infanzia / materna: Kindergarten for children aged 3 to 6.
Scuola primaria / elementare: Primary school lasting 5 years (ages 6 to 11).
Scuola secondaria di primo grado / media: Middle school lasting 3 years (ages 11 to 14).
Scuola secondaria di secondo grado / superiore: High school lasting 5 years (ages 14 to 19), split into liceo (academic focus), istituto tecnico (technical focus), or istituto professionale (vocational training).
Università: Higher education including bachelor's degrees (laurea triennale) and master's degrees (laurea magistrale).

When speaking about school activities in Italian, rely on these foundational verbs:

Studiare: To study (e.g., Studio per l'esame).
Frequentare: To attend classes or a school (e.g., Frequentare il liceo).
Fare i compiti: To do homework (e.g., Faccio i compiti nel pomeriggio).
Prendere appunti: To take notes during a lecture.
Sostenere / Dare un esame: To take an exam.
Superare / Passare un esame: To pass an exam.

Titles differ based on the level of education and require appropriate levels of formality:

Primary School: Teachers are called maestro (male) or maestra (female), often followed by their first name.
Middle & High School: Teachers are addressed as professore or professoressa (often shortened informally to prof in conversation between students).
University: Lecturers and professors are always addressed formally with Professore or Professoressa, using the formal pronoun Lei.

Italian higher education uses several specialized terms that are helpful to learn:

Laurea: University degree or graduation ceremony.
Tesi: Graduation thesis project.
Relatore / Relatrice: The academic advisor guiding your thesis.
Appello d'esame: An official exam date/session.
Libretto universitario: The official record transcript of passed exams.

Italian Education Vocabulary