cartella

folder

noun kar-TEL-lah Rare

Origin: From Latin charta (paper), via carta + diminutive -ella.

Also means

briefcase

Usage Note

Cartella covers a school satchel or briefcase, a computer folder/directory, and in medicine la cartella clinica is the patient file. In Italian schools, la cartella is the bag every child carries, making it a very familiar word. Do not confuse with cartello (sign, placard, cartel) — different word, different gender.

Examples

"Il bambino porta la cartella sulle spalle ogni giorno."

Natural Translation

The child carries the schoolbag on his back every day.

Free starter pack

Building your Italian vocabulary?

Get the 100 most common Italian words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.

Related Words

Explore Italian by topic

ItalianNow

Ti Amo vs Ti Voglio Bene: I Love You in Italian

Ti amo is romantic love; ti voglio bene is tender affection for family and close friends. Here's exactly who to say each phrase to in Italian.

June 5, 2026 5 min read

ItalianNow

Italian Prepositions: A, In, Di, Da, Su Made Simple

Cities take a, countries take in, origin is di, agents are da. Master the five Italian prepositions a, in, di, da, su and their contractions fast.

June 5, 2026 6 min read

ItalianNow

C'è vs Ci Sono: There Is/Are in Italian

C'è for one thing, ci sono for many — that's the rule. Master Italian's there is/there are with c'era, ci sarà, è vs c'è, and non c'è nessuno.

June 9, 2026 5 min read

ItalianNow

Italian Question Words: Chi, Cosa, Dove, Quando & More

Master Italian question words: chi, cosa, dove, quando, perché, come, quanto and quale. A usage-first guide that finally sorts che vs cosa vs quale.

June 5, 2026 6 min read