noun

la roba

stuff

The Italian word "roba" primarily means "stuff", "things", or "items" in English. It is a common, informal noun used to refer to objects or belongings without specifying exactly what they are.

Meaning:

  1. Things / Stuff / Items
    Used generally to mean various objects or belongings in a non-specific way.

    • Ho tanta roba da fare.
      (I have a lot of stuff to do.)
  2. Occasionally, "roba" can refer colloquially to goods or possessions.

Parts:

  • The word "roba" is a feminine noun.
  • It is a standalone noun and does not derive from smaller parts in present usage; it comes from Latin res meaning "thing" or "matter."

Synonyms:

  • cose (things)
  • oggetti (objects)
  • materiale (material)
  • affari (affairs, also means belongings in some contexts)

Antonyms:

  • Being a general term for things, it doesn't have a strict antonym, but in some contexts, one could say:
    • nulla (nothing) as an opposite conceptually.

Usage notes:

  • "Roba" is often used in colloquial or informal speech.
  • It carries a general sense and is context-dependent; it can mean anything from clothing, personal belongings, to abstract things when speaking loosely.

In summary, "roba" is a versatile, informal term useful for referring to various "things" or "stuff," useful when specifics aren't important or known.

Make “roba” part of your vocabulary.

Build your Italian vocabulary with flashcards, audio and spaced repetition.

Examples

Devo mettere via tutta questa roba.noun

I have to put away all this stuff.

Dove hai messo la roba pulita?noun

Where did you put the clean stuff?

Quanta roba c’è sul tavolo?noun

How much stuff is on the table?

Keep exploring Italian

Learn words from the content you love.

Add words from websites, books and videos, then remember them with spaced repetition (SRS).