Looking up...
fondo
/ˈfon.do/
bottom
Il libro è sul fondo della scatola.
The book is at the bottom of the box.
neutral
The lowest part or surface of something, often a container or space.
Il fondo della bottiglia è sporco.
The bottom of the bottle is dirty.
Can refer to physical bottoms (e.g., 'fondo del mare' = seabed) or metaphorical ones (e.g., 'fondo di un problema' = root of a problem).
Finance
formal
Fund or capital allocated for a specific purpose.
Abbiamo istituito un fondo per la ricerca medica.
We set up a fund for medical research.
Common in financial contexts (e.g., 'fondo comune d'investimento' = mutual fund).
artistic
Background or distant part of a scene, especially in art.
Nel dipinto, il fondo è blu scuro.
In the painting, the background is dark blue.
Used in visual arts to describe the backdrop.
neutral
End or concluding part of a document, event, or period.
Il fondo del libro è interessante.
The end of the book is interesting.
Can imply finality (e.g., 'al fondo del discorso' = at the end of the speech).
Collocations
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Avoid literal translations for financial terms
For 'fondo' in finance (e.g., 'fondo comune'), avoid translating as 'bottom'—use 'fund' instead. Context is key: 'fondo' in 'fondo del mare' means 'bottom,' but in 'fondo pensione' it means 'fund.'
Gold Rule
Context determines meaning
'Fondo' can mean 'bottom' (physical), 'fund' (financial), or 'background' (artistic). Always check the surrounding words to determine the correct translation.
Word Origin
From Latin 'fundus' (bottom, base), via Vulgar Latin. Related to 'fondo' in other Romance languages (e.g., Spanish 'fondo', French 'fond').
Usage Notes
In compound terms like 'fondo pensione' (pension fund) or 'fondo comune' (mutual fund), 'fondo' retains its financial meaning. 'In fondo' is a fixed phrase meaning 'deep down' or 'after all.'
Word Breakdown
fund-
root related to base/bottom
root-o
masculine singular noun suffix
suffixDizionario Italiano-Inglese