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paese
/paˈɛ.ze/
country; village
Il mio paese natale è piccolo e tranquillo.
My hometown is small and quiet.
formal
A nation or state considered as a political or geographical entity.
L'Italia è un paese europeo.
Italy is a European country.
Often used in political or geographical contexts.
informal
A small town or village, especially one's hometown.
Torno al mio paese ogni estate.
I go back to my hometown every summer.
Emphasizes familiarity and personal connection.
informal
A rural or provincial area, as opposed to a city.
Vivo in un paese, non in una grande città.
I live in a village, not in a big city.
Implies a simpler, less urbanized lifestyle.
Collocations
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Distinguishing 'paese' from 'nazione'
'Paese' often implies a smaller, more personal or rural context, while 'nazione' refers to a country as a political entity. For example, 'Il mio paese è l'Italia' (My country is Italy) uses 'paese' to mean nation, but 'Vivo in un piccolo paese' (I live in a small village) uses it to mean village.
Gold Rule
Context is key
Always check the context to determine whether 'paese' refers to a country, village, or rural area. For formal or political contexts, 'nazione' or 'stato' may be more appropriate.
Word Origin
From Latin 'pagus' (village, rural district), via Old Italian 'paese'. Originally referred to rural areas before expanding to mean 'country' in the modern sense.
Usage Notes
In Italian, 'paese' can refer to a nation or a small town, depending on context. The plural 'paesi' is used for multiple countries or towns. Avoid confusion with 'paese' as a synonym for 'village' in formal contexts where 'nazione' or 'stato' is more appropriate.
Word Breakdown
paese
country; village
rootDizionario Italiano-Inglese