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Desk and office words in Italian

Last updated July 7, 2026 · 6 min read

40 desk and office words in Italian

Some of these are old Italian words, some are borrowed English tech terms that picked up an Italian article along the way (il computer, il mouse). Both count, and both keep their article below.

Phrases you can actually say

Eight sentences you'd realistically say at a desk, using the words above.

1. Ho lasciato la penna sulla scrivania. — I left the pen on the desk.
2. Il computer è acceso. — The computer is on.
3. Passami la graffetta, per favore. — Pass me the paper clip, please.
4. Il documento è nella cartella. — The document is in the folder.
5. Metto il quaderno nello zaino. — I'm putting the notebook in the backpack.
6. Il caricabatterie è sotto la scrivania. — The charger is under the desk.
7. Ho bisogno di un evidenziatore giallo. — I need a yellow highlighter.
8. La stampante non funziona. — The printer isn't working.

Catch them instead of memorizing them

A list is a fine place to start, but the words that stick are the ones tied to the actual pen on your actual desk. Open CatchFrase, photograph the objects within arm's reach — your keyboard, your charger, the notebook you're actually using — and it names each one in Italian with its article, pronunciation, and a spoken example sentence, generated from your object instead of a catalog photo.

Every catch you make joins a personal collection and enters spaced-repetition review, so "l'evidenziatore" comes back around right before you'd forget it, not on a fixed schedule that assumes you're starting from zero every time. Say the word or the phrase out loud and CatchFrase shows your words transcribed live as you speak, so you know immediately whether lo or l' came out right.

The free tier gives you 10 catches a day, a 75-card collection, and daily review, which in practice means about four days to catch a full desk setup, ten items at a time. That's slower than skimming this page once, but every word comes attached to something on your desk right now instead of a definition you'll forget by tomorrow. CatchFrase Plus removes the daily cap if you want to catch the whole office today.

Common questions

Why include so many borrowed words like il computer and il mouse?

Because that's genuinely how Italians talk about office tech — many English tech words were borrowed directly and just took on an Italian article. Knowing which article they take (usually il) is still worth learning.

Is office vocabulary useful if I'm not working in Italian?

Yes — these are also just the objects on a desk at home: a notebook, a charger, a pen. You don't need an Italian job to use this list, only a desk.

How fast can I get through this list?

At 10 catches a day on the CatchFrase free tier, 40 words takes about four days, photographing a handful of desk items each session. Plus removes the daily limit if you want it done faster.