sentenza

verdict

noun sehn-TEHN-tsah Less Common

Origin: from Latin sententia 'opinion'

Also means

maxim

Usage Note

Sentenza is a court's ruling or sentence; the phrase emettere una sentenza means 'to hand down a verdict'. Colloquially someone who parla per sentenze speaks in pompous, oracular pronouncements, so the word carries a faint whiff of finality.

Examples

"La sentenza è stata letta in aula."

Natural Translation

The verdict was read in the courtroom.

Literal Translation

The verdict is been read in courtroom.

Free starter pack

Building your Italian vocabulary?

Get the 100 most common Italian words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.

Related Words

Explore Italian by topic

ItalianNow

Ti Amo vs Ti Voglio Bene: I Love You in Italian

Ti amo is romantic love; ti voglio bene is tender affection for family and close friends. Here's exactly who to say each phrase to in Italian.

June 5, 2026 5 min read

ItalianNow

Italian Question Words: Chi, Cosa, Dove, Quando & More

Master Italian question words: chi, cosa, dove, quando, perché, come, quanto and quale. A usage-first guide that finally sorts che vs cosa vs quale.

June 5, 2026 6 min read

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

You're Welcome in Italian: 8 Ways Beyond Prego

You're welcome in Italian is more than prego: say figurati to friends, si figuri to strangers, di niente, non c'è di che, or grazie a te. Pick the right one.

June 9, 2026 6 min read