formale
formal
adjective for-MAH-leh Less Common
Origin: Latin formalis
Also means
official
Usage Note
Formale is used both for tone (a formal letter, una lettera formale) and for official/contractual matters (un accordo formale). In Italian workplace and social culture the distinction between formal register (using Lei) and informal (using tu) — called darsi del Lei vs darsi del tu — is marked precisely by words like formale. The plural is formali.
Examples
"Il colloquio richiede un abbigliamento formale."
Natural Translation
The interview requires formal attire.

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