semaforo

traffic light

noun seh-MAH-foh-roh Rare

Origin: From Greek sêma (signal) + phorós (bearing).

Also means

semaphore

Usage Note

Semaforo is the standard word for a traffic light in Italian — passare con il semaforo rosso means to run a red light. In a technical or historical context it also means a semaphore signalling system. The plural semafori is regular. Learners sometimes mistake it for a false cognate with English 'semaphore', which is less common in everyday Italian.

Examples

"Devi aspettare che il semaforo diventi verde."

Natural Translation

You have to wait for the traffic light to turn green.

Related Words

Explore Italian by topic

ItalianNow

Italian Dialects vs Standard Italian: A Guide

Standard Italian works everywhere, so relax: this three-layer guide to Italian dialects vs standard Italian shows what to ignore and what to notice.

June 9, 2026 6 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

Essere vs Avere: Italian Past Tense Made Simple

In the passato prossimo, use avere for most verbs and essere for movement, change, and reflexives — plus the agreement trap English speakers always miss.

June 5, 2026 5 min read

ItalianNow

Italian Adjective Agreement & Placement Made Simple

Italian adjectives agree in gender and number and usually sit after the noun. Master the -o/-a/-i/-e endings, the BAGS rule, and meaning-shifting pairs.

June 5, 2026 5 min read