Expand your Italian vocabulary!

Hi, everybody! I'm Luca and this video is for those wonderful people who are learning the Italian language.

If you are studying or learning Italian as a foreign language, this video is for you!

More specifically, this lesson is geared towards those learners who understand Italian, but can't speak it as fluently as they wished.

I have in mind those learners who, when speaking Italian, realize that they don't know specific words.

These people obviously know equivalent words in their native language, but don't know what we call certain things in Italian.

This is due to the fact that, more often than not, Italian courses focus for the most part on grammar. As a consequence, foreigners learning Italian end up knowing grammar very well, while having a hard time with words used to refer to most common objects. This is due to the fact that, unfortunately, in Italian courses many words are not taught at all.

In this lesson I wanted to talk about a series of words related to bicycles.

By watching this video, you will learn 27 Italian words and phrases related to bicycles.

This video is my response to a request made some time ago by a girl who has subscribed to my channel. This girl loves riding bikes, she loves bicycles, and she asked me to explain some words that can be used when we talk about bicycles.

If your goal is to speak good Italian, please consider subscribing to my channel, because on this channel I regularly upload Italian lessons about different topics related to the Italian language and grammar.

As I said, in this video I will talk about Italian vocabulary related to bicycles.

Well, then, let's start from the noun "bicicletta"!

"Bicicletta" is a feminine noun, the singular form is "bicicletta", the plural form is "biciclette". That is: "la bicicletta", "le biciclette".

To start off, let me say that, actually, nobody uses the word "bicicletta" and almost everybody uses its shortened form, that is: "la bici", "le bici". If you want, you can say "bicicletta". However, the shortened form "bici" is much, much more common.

Please pay attention to the noun "bici", which is a bit unusual, because it's a feminine noun ending with I both in its singular and plural form. That is: "la bici", "le bici".

Ok, then. The first thing that I wanted to say is this: In italian we say "Andare in bicicletta" or "Andare in bici".

You should use the preposition IN. We don't say "andare sulla bici", and we don't say "andare con la bici", we say "andare in bici".

For instance, I can say: "Mi piace andare in bici". Or: "Vado in bici tutti i giorni". Or, if somebody asks me "Ma come sei andato a casa di Laura?", I can answer as follows: "Ci sono andato in bici".

So please always keep this in mind. You should use the preposition IN and the verb "andare".

With bikes, we don't use the verb "guidare", and we don't use the verb "cavalcare". "Cavalcare" is a verb that is used only when talking about horses.

Also keep in mind that the point I just made holds true for nouns such as "moto", "motorino" e "scooter". In italian we say: "andare in moto", "andare in motorino" and "andare in scooter".

Ok, then. You already know what "moto" means. "Moto" is the shortened form of "motocicletta". Quite frankly, almost nobody ever uses the word "motocicletta", everybody says "moto", (la moto).

Please pay attention to the noun "moto", which is feminine but ends with O. This is one of those few Italian nouns ending with O that are feminine. Other examples include the noun "auto", (l'auto), and the noun "radio", (la radio). Please pay attention to these nouns because their plural form is identical to their singular form. So, for instance, we say "la moto, le moto", "la radio, le radio".

Also the noun "metro" ends with O and is feminine. Hence "la metro". "La metro" is the shortened form of "la metropolitana". In other words, "la metro" means "la metropolitana".

Therefore, if we refer to going somewhere, we generally use the verb "andare".

We could also say "farsi un giro in bici". "Farsi un giro in bici" means riding a bike without a precise destination. It's similar to going for a walk, except that, instead of walking, you are riding a bike.

So if we say that somebody "fa un giro in bici", we mean that they are not going anywhere, to a specific place, but are doing this to relax, to have a good time, or just as a pastime. So the destination here is not important, it's similar to going for a walk, as I said.

Well, then. Now let's talk a bit about bike parts.

The most important part of the bike are undoubtedly its wheels. Bikes have 2 wheels: "la ruota anteriore", that is the front wheel, and "la ruota posteriore", that is the back wheel.

You can also find a particular type of bikes designed for kids. These have two additional smaller wheels, that in Italian are called "rotelle".

These are called "rotelle" because they are smaller. In Italian we have the nouns "ruota" and "rotella". A "rotella" is smaller than a "ruota" (wheel). "Rotella" is diminutive of the noun "ruota".

Please pay attention because in the word "ruota" we have U and O, that is a dyphthong: "ruota". By contrast, in the diminutive we only have O: "rotella".

You can call a small wheel either "rotella" or "rotellina". For instance, consider this part of the mouse. I hope you can see it. Ok, then, this part between the 2 buttons is called "rotellina". This is called "la rotellina del mouse".

What's this small wheel for? It is used to scroll down. In italian, to indicate this, we use the verb "scrollare". This is clear, right? You roll this small wheel downward and the grey scrollbar displayed, for instance, on most webpages, will move downward. To indicate this, in Italian we use the verb "scrollare". This word is clearly taken from English.

By the way, given that we talked about bikes with small wheels, that is bikes for kids, I take this chance to talk about a word that you may not know - "triciclo".

What is a "triciclo"? It's a kind of bike with 3 wheels that kids use before using bikes with small wheels. Normally, kids first use a "triciclo", then they use a bike with small wheels, and then they start using a real bike. That is, a bike with only 2 wheels and no additional small wheel.

Now let's talk about the parts of the wheel.

Well, then. The outer part of the bike wheel is called "copertone". To refer to this part of the wheel, we use the masculine noun "copertone". "Copertone" is the singular form, "copertoni" is the plural form.

The metal part of the wheel, shaped like a circle, is called "cerchione". So "cerchione" refers to the metal rim.

Then we have the word "raggi", i.e. spokes originating from the center of the rim. "Raggi" is the plural form, "raggio" is the singular form. The word "raggio" is also used when referring to the sun. We say "i raggi del sole".

Inside the tyre, there is an object called "camera d'aria". Basically, this is a rubber object that can be inflated and filled with air.

If you don't use your bike for a while, what happens? Its tyres deflate. Basically, air leaves the inner tube (In italian: "camera d'aria") and the tyres deflate.

This could also happen if, for instance, you hit a sharp object, for instance a glass shard, your tyre could be punctured, and then, if the inner tube is punctured as well, the tyre will deflate.

What should you do, then? You should inflate the tyre. To inflate the tyre you should use an object that (in Italian) we call "pompa". More specifically, "pompa per bici".

Just to be clear, this is also called "pompa", but is't not a "pompa per bici". In fa... In fact, if I press here, air comes out. This is not a "pompa per bici", let's say that is a "pompa da spiaggia, per la spiaggia", that is used to inflate inflatable boats, airbeds, rubber dinghies and other inflatable objects.

Please don't ask me why I have here with me an airbed pump - Trust me, it's better.

Another essential part of the bike are pedals. There are 2 pedals. So "pedali" is the plural form, the singular form of "pedali" is "pedale". So: "il pedale", "i pedali".

We call "pedali" those objects where you place your feet, they are called "pedali" for this very reason. So "pedali" is the noun for those things on which you place your feet to push. Ok, you understood what the word "pedali" means.

The word "pedali" is also used to refer to pedals in a car. Manual transmission cars typically have 3 pedals. The clutch pedal, the brake pedal, and the accelerator pedal.

the verb "pedalare", which refers to the very movement made while riding a bike. When you push with your feet, pedals keep moving, ecc.

Another essential part of the bike is what we call "catena". Basically, "La catena" is the device transferring power. In other words, it transfers powers from your legs, that is from the pedals, to the back wheel.

By the way, other than indicating this object, the word "catena" can be used to refer to a slightly different object.

And also that object that you can use to lock your bike to avoid it getting stolen. Because you know better than me, that, if you leave your bike unattended, and don't lock it, chances are that it will get stolen in 5 minutes.

In Italian we also have the noun "catenina", diminutive of "catena", that usually refers to a smaller object you can wear, for instance, on your neck. For instance, this is called "catenina" or "collanina".

These parts, instead, each of these parts here composing the chain is called "anello". "Anello": just like the object you put on your finger. These things composing the chain are called "anelli" as well.

Oh, yes, we didn't talk about the noun "telaio". What does "telaio" mean? "Telaio" refers to the main structure of the bike, the main frame of the bike. That is, the frame to which all bike parts are connected.

Bikes also have what we call "manubrio". "Manubrio" is singular, plural is "manubri". Anyway, bikes only have one "manubrio".

"Manubrio" is the part that makes it possible to steer, to turn. Turning left, turning right, and so on.

On the handlebar you can find what we call "freni". "Freno di sinistra" and "freno di destra". Or "freno anteriore" and "freno posteriore".

The word "freni" tends to be used in general and refers both to brake handles located on the handlebar, and to the brakes on the wheel that actually block the bike.

Another important part of the bike is what we call "sellino". "Sellino" refers to the part where you sit.

This part should be called "sellino". You can't call it "sedia", you can't call it "sedile".

"Sellino", in fact, is diminutive of "sella". The word "Sella" refers to that thing you put on a horse's back. "Sellino" is the equivalent part in bikes or scooters.

The part keeping the bike straight and preventing it from falling is called "cavalletto". When you need to stop and leave your bike in a given position, anywhere, what do you do? You bring down "cavalletto" and in this way your bike, when you leave it, won't fall.

Some bikes (not all bikes) have a special container in the front, used to carry objects, that in Italian we call "cestino".

Some bikes (not all bikes) have a part in the back that quite frankly I don't know what is called. That part on which, for instance, you can let someone sit.

Some bikes also have a shifter, which is a special system allowing you to shift gear.

In a sense, this system is similar to a car shifter. You know that cars with manual transmission have different gears: first gear, second gear, third gear, fourth gear and fifth gear. Some bikes have a shifter, which is a similar system, so to speak. That is, depending on the gear (higher or lower), power transmission rate changes. So, for instance, if you need to climb uphill, you'd better shift gear.

Lastly, before wrapping it up, I wanted to talk about bike types.

First of all, let me say that I'm not an expert, therefore I will only talk about the most common types of bikes.

A very common type is called "mountain bike" and these bikes usually have a shifter, typically a Shimano shifter. These bikes are ideal for roads that are not covered with asphalt. That is off-road trails. Needless to say, you can ride these bikes in town as well, but these bikes are designed for off road trails. That is for cross-country biking, so to speak.

Then you have "le BMX", that nowadays aren't very popular. When I was a kid, I can assure you that these bikes were very, very popular. BMX are those bikes smaller in size that are used to perform bike tricks.

By the way, as you saw, with these words I use the feminine article, because the reference is to "la bici". Hence I say "la bmx", "le bmx".

Lastly, you have standard bikes, you could call them "bici da città" (city bikes). The traditional bike.

And then you have racing bikes. These bikes are used by professional cyclists.

That's it! In the comments please let me know if you found this video useful. Or if you already knew all these Italian words.

Here you can find a card to a playlist that I created some time ago and in which I have gathered all videos similar to this one that I have uploaded. Meaning all lessons where I talk about the words we can use to refer to specific objects. Here I'll add a card to this playlist. Please check it out!