tentazione

temptation

noun ten-tah-TSYOH-neh Less Common

Origin: From Latin tentationem, from tentare (to try, test).

Usage Note

Tentazione is feminine — la tentazione, le tentazioni. The common phrase cedere alla tentazione means 'to give in to temptation'. Do not confuse with tentativo (m), which means 'attempt' — a false-friend trap for English speakers who hear 'temptation' in both. Tentare is the related verb (to tempt; also to attempt).

Examples

"Non ho resistito alla tentazione del dolce."

Natural Translation

I could not resist the temptation of the dessert.

Literal Translation

Not I-have resisted to-the temptation of-the sweet.

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