Neapolitan · Campania
Naples
The Neapolitan dialect, word by word: what it means, where it comes from and who checks it. Meanings are in English where we have them, otherwise in Italian.
The dictionary
The words of Naples
The list shows the English meaning where we have it; each word page is in Italian.
3,285 words, from A to Z
How to read it
Reading the Neapolitan
final e, o
Unstressed vowels at the end of a word are written, but you barely hear them, like a muffled half sound: pate, father.
s + p, c, f
Before p, c and f the «s» sounds like the «sh» in «ship»: scappà, to run away. Before t it stays a plain s: stà, to stay.
j
The «j» is read like the «y» in «yes»: juorno, day.
nt → nd
After «n» the t softens and sounds almost like a d: viento, wind, sounds almost like «viendo».
Source: Wikipedia · Lingua napoletana (CC BY-SA)
Words with a story
The stories of Naples
In English here; the word page, with its source, is in Italian.
The keepers
The keepers of Naples
Three people from the town who really speak the dialect. They confirm the words, correct them and add the missing ones. Their name stays on this page, only if they want.
The supporter
This bell tower is looking for a supporter
A shop, a bakery or an association from Naples: a single sign per bell tower, here, with no pop-up ads.
Coming after the site opens: if you are interested, write to us.
Nearby bell towers
The whole page in Italian
Phrasebook, quiz, «si dice così?» and the poster are on the Italian page of Napoli.