acqua
/ˈak.kwa/
Definition
Water; the clear liquid that falls as rain, fills rivers and seas, and that people and animals need to drink.
Example
Bevo un bicchiere d'acqua ogni mattina.
Show translation
I drink a glass of water every morning.
Etymology
From Latin *aqua* ("water"), a foundational Proto-Indo-European root (*h₂ekʷeh₂-) shared with English words like "aquatic," "aqueduct," and "aquarium." The Latin form passed virtually unchanged into Italian, reflecting how central this word was to everyday Roman life.
Cultural note
Italy has a rich culture around water: Italians distinguish sharply between *acqua naturale* (still water) and *acqua frizzante* (sparkling water), and ordering at a restaurant always begins with this choice. The country is also famous for its public drinking fountains (*fontanelle* or *nasoni* in Rome), where free, clean water flows constantly — a civic institution Italians take pride in.