abitazione
/a.bi.taˈt͡sjo.ne/A place where someone lives; a house, apartment, or other residence.
Abbiamo acquistato una nuova abitazione in campagna.
We bought a new dwelling in the countryside.
L'abitazione principale si trova vicino alla stazione.
The main dwelling is located near the station.
Used in both legal and everyday contexts to refer to a place of residence.
The act of living in a place; habitation.
L'abitazione di questi animali è limitata a poche regioni.
The habitation of these animals is limited to a few regions.
Less common in modern usage; more typical in ecological or anthropological texts.
Collocations
Antonyms
💡Pro Tip
Formal vs. Informal
Use 'abitazione' in formal writing (e.g., contracts, official documents) or when referring to housing in a general sense. In casual conversation, prefer 'casa' (house/home) or 'appartamento' (apartment).
⚡Gold Rule
Legal Context
In legal Italian, 'abitazione' can refer to the right to reside in a property, not just the physical structure. For example: 'diritto di abitazione' (right of habitation).
📖Word Origin
From Latin *habitatio(n-)*, derived from *habitare* ('to dwell'), itself from *habere* ('to have, hold'). The term entered Italian via Latin in the 14th century, initially in legal contexts before generalizing to everyday use.
📝Usage Notes
In Italian, 'abitazione' is a formal term often used in legal, administrative, or written contexts. In speech, 'casa' is far more common for referring to one's home. The plural 'abitazioni' is frequently used in real estate listings.