preservativo

condom

noun preh-zer-vah-TEE-voh Rare

Origin: From Latin preservare (to preserve, protect).

Also means

preservative (food additive)

Usage Note

Preservativo is a classic false friend for English speakers: its primary meaning in modern Italian is condom, not a food preservative. For the food additive, Italians say conservante. Confusing the two can cause significant embarrassment; always use conservante when discussing food labels.

Examples

"È importante usare il preservativo per proteggersi."

Natural Translation

It is important to use a condom to protect yourself.

Related Words

Explore Italian by topic

ItalianNow

Italian False Friends: 20 Words That Trick You

Italian false friends like preservativo, parenti, and caldo mean the opposite of what English speakers expect. Here are 20 ranked by how badly they bite.

June 5, 2026 6 min read

ItalianNow

Tu vs Lei: Formal & Informal "You" in Italian

When in doubt, use Lei. Here's exactly when to use tu vs Lei in Italian — the who-to-use-with map, the verb and possessive shifts, and how to switch politely.

June 5, 2026 6 min read

ItalianNow

Italian Articles: Il, Lo, La, I, Gli, Le Explained

Italian has seven words for 'the' — il, lo, la, i, gli, le — but it's two questions, not seven cases. Master gender, sound, and the lo/gli rule fast.

June 5, 2026 7 min read

ItalianNow

Most Common Italian Verbs: The 10 That Unlock Speech

Drill these 10 most common Italian verbs first and you unlock past tense, modals, and the progressive — a 7-day plan with every present-tense form to memorize.

June 9, 2026 5 min read