asciugamano

towel

noun ah-shoo-gah-MAH-noh Rare

Origin: From asciugare (to dry) + mano (hand) — literally 'hand-dryer'

Usage Note

Asciugamano is one of Italian's famously long compound words; learners often forget it is masculine (il asciugamano becomes l'asciugamano before a vowel). Its plural is gli asciugamani. A beach towel is specifically un telo da mare, while asciugamano refers to the household hand or bath towel.

Examples

"Prendi un asciugamano pulito dall'armadio."

Natural Translation

Take a clean towel from the wardrobe.

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