festivo
festive, holiday
adjective feh-STEE-voh Rare
Origin: From Latin festivus, from festum (feast, festival).
Usage Note
Festivo is the official adjective for public holidays: giorno festivo (public holiday), orario festivo (holiday timetable). Its antonym is feriale (working day) — a critical pair for reading Italian timetables and signs. Do not confuse with festoso (festive in mood, merry) — festivo is administrative, festoso is emotional.
Examples
"I negozi sono chiusi nei giorni festivi."
Natural Translation
Shops are closed on public holidays.
Related Words
Explore Italian by topic
ItalianNow
5 min read
ItalianNow
5 min read