strada
/หstraหda/
Definition
A road or street that people walk or drive on; also used figuratively to mean a path or way forward in life.
Example
La strada per il centro รจ molto lunga.
Show translation
The road to the city centre is very long.
Etymology
From Latin *strata (via)*, meaning "paved (road)", the feminine past participle of *sternere* ("to lay flat, to pave"). The same Latin root gives English "stratum" and the suffix in place names like "Stratford".
Cultural note
In Italian culture, *la strada* carries strong metaphorical weight โ from Fellini's iconic 1954 film *La Strada* to everyday expressions like *fare strada* ("to go far in life" or "to lead the way"). Phrases such as *essere sulla buona strada* ("to be on the right track") are extremely common in both conversation and writing.