stalla

stable

noun STAHL-lah Rare

Origin: Latin stabulum, from stare 'to stand'

Also means

barn

Usage Note

Stalla specifically refers to a stable or byre for housing large animals (horses, cows, donkeys) — not a barn for grain storage (granaio) or a general farm building. The idiom chiudere la stalla quando i buoi sono scappati (to close the stable after the oxen have bolted) is the Italian equivalent of 'locking the stable door after the horse has bolted'.

Examples

"I cavalli dormono nella stalla."

Natural Translation

The horses sleep in the stable.

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

Italian Diminutives: -ino, -etto, -one Explained

Italian diminutives like -ino, -etto, and -one signal size, affection, or contempt. Learn to read the feeling, dodge gender flips, and spot false diminutives.

June 9, 2026 6 min read

ItalianNow

How to Order Coffee in Italy Like a Local

Order coffee in Italy like a local: say un caffè (not espresso), pay at the cassa first, drink al banco, and skip the latte trap. Phrases inside.

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 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