indietro

back

adverb een-DYEH-troh Less Common

Origin: Latin in retro (in the back)

Also means

backwards

Usage Note

Indietro is used with verbs of motion and position to indicate going or being backward: 'tornare indietro' (to go back), 'guardare indietro' (to look back). The phrase 'dare indietro' or 'restituire' means to give back. It also pairs with essere in fixed expressions: 'essere indietro con il lavoro' (to be behind on work). Contrast with avanti (forward) and dietro (behind, used as a preposition or adjective).

Examples

"Dobbiamo tornare indietro, abbiamo sbagliato strada."

Natural Translation

We have to go back, we took the wrong road.

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