A1 Collocation خنثی

in saldo

On sale

Phrase in 30 Seconds

Use 'in saldo' to describe items sold at a reduced price during official Italian sale seasons.

  • Means: Available at a discounted price during seasonal sales.
  • Used in: Clothing stores, department stores, and online shopping contexts.
  • Don't confuse: 'In saldo' is for seasonal events; 'in offerta' is for general promotions.
🛍️ + 📉 = 🇮🇹 in saldo

Explanation at your level:

In Italian, 'in saldo' means 'on sale'. You use it when you go shopping. For example, if a shirt was 20 euros and now it is 10 euros, it is 'in saldo'. You will see the word 'SALDI' in big red letters on shop windows in January and July. It is a very useful phrase for buying clothes and saving money while traveling in Italy.
The phrase 'in saldo' is used to describe items that are discounted during the official sale seasons in Italy. It is an invariable phrase, meaning it doesn't change if you are talking about one item or many. You can use it with verbs like 'essere' (to be) or 'comprare' (to buy). Remember that 'in saldo' is different from 'in offerta', which is used for grocery store discounts or temporary promotions.
At this level, you should distinguish between 'in saldo' and its synonyms. 'In saldo' specifically refers to the end-of-season clearances (winter and summer). It originates from the accounting term for settling a balance. When using this phrase, you are participating in a significant Italian cultural ritual. You might hear people say 'Ho fatto affari d'oro ai saldi' (I got great deals at the sales). Note that the preposition 'in' is mandatory; using 'a' or 'su' is a common mistake for English speakers.
The locution 'in saldo' functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a state of price reduction due to seasonal inventory clearance. In Italy, these periods are strictly regulated by regional authorities to prevent unfair competition. From a grammatical perspective, 'in saldo' acts as an adverbial modifier. While 'scontato' is a general adjective for any price reduction, 'in saldo' carries a specific connotation of 'clearing out' old collections to make way for new arrivals, reflecting the cyclical nature of the Italian fashion industry.
Linguistically, 'in saldo' represents a semantic extension of the mercantile terminology of the Renaissance. The transition from the 'saldo' of a financial ledger to the 'saldo' of retail inventory illustrates the deep-rooted commercial history of the Italian language. Learners should master the nuance between 'in saldo' and 'in liquidazione'—the latter implying a permanent cessation of business. Furthermore, understanding the socio-economic impact of the 'Saldi' on small retailers versus large chains provides a deeper cultural layer to this seemingly simple shopping phrase.
The phrase 'in saldo' serves as a microcosm of the intersection between Italian legislative frameworks and consumer psychology. The rigid periodization of the 'Saldi' creates a unique market pressure that is reflected in the lexicon. A near-native mastery involves recognizing the subtle shift in register when 'saldo' is used in contemporary financial discourse (e.g., 'saldo primario' in government budgets) versus its colloquial retail application. One must also navigate the idiomatic landscape where 'saldare' can mean to weld, to pay off, or to settle, depending on the technical or metaphorical domain being invoked.

معنی

Discounted price.

🌍

زمینه فرهنگی

The 'Saldi' are strictly regulated by regional laws. Shops cannot choose their own dates; they must follow the official calendar set by the government. Sales are essential for the 'Made in Italy' cycle, allowing boutiques to clear space for the 'Nuova Collezione' (New Collection). By law, shops must display both the original price and the discounted price, as well as the percentage of the discount. Shopping during the first day of the 'Saldi' is a social event, often involving long queues and shared excitement among friends.

💡

Look for the percentage

In Italy, the 'Saldi' signs always show the percentage. Look for '%'. 50% is 'cinquanta per cento'.

⚠️

Check the return policy

Many Italian stores have stricter return rules for items 'in saldo'. Always ask: 'Si può cambiare?' (Can it be exchanged?).

معنی

Discounted price.

💡

Look for the percentage

In Italy, the 'Saldi' signs always show the percentage. Look for '%'. 50% is 'cinquanta per cento'.

⚠️

Check the return policy

Many Italian stores have stricter return rules for items 'in saldo'. Always ask: 'Si può cambiare?' (Can it be exchanged?).

🎯

The second wave

Wait a few weeks into the sale period for 'ulteriori ribassi' (further reductions), where prices drop even lower, often to 70%.

💬

The 'Pre-Saldi'

If you are a loyal customer, some shops might give you the 'saldo' price a few days early. This is called 'saldi privati'.

خودت رو بسنج

Complete the sentence with the correct preposition.

Ho comprato questa maglietta ___ saldo.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: in

The fixed expression is 'in saldo'.

Which sentence is correct for a supermarket discount?

How do you say the pasta is discounted at the grocery store?

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: La pasta è in offerta.

'In offerta' is used for general promotions, especially food.

Complete the dialogue.

A: Che belle scarpe! Sono nuove? B: Sì, le ho prese ieri. Erano ___.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: in saldo

The phrase 'in saldo' describes the state of the shoes when they were bought.

Match the phrase to the correct time of year.

When are you most likely to see 'SALDI' in Italian windows?

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: January and July

These are the two official, legally regulated sale seasons in Italy.

🎉 امتیاز: /4

ابزارهای بصری یادگیری

When to use 'In Saldo' vs 'In Offerta'

👗

In Saldo

  • • Clothing
  • • Shoes
  • • Seasonal Decor
  • • Luxury Goods
🛒

In Offerta

  • • Pasta
  • • Milk
  • • Shampoo
  • • Weekly Promos

The Price Journey

Prezzo Pieno
€100 Full Price
In Saldo
€50 On Sale

سوالات متداول

12 سوال

Generally no. Use 'in offerta' for food discounts. 'In saldo' is for durable goods like fashion and home decor.

The phrase is 'in saldo' (singular). The event is 'i saldi' (plural). Example: 'Compro scarpe in saldo durante i saldi.'

Usually on the first working day before Epiphany (January 5th or 6th), depending on the region.

Not exactly. It means 'discounted'. A luxury item can be 'in saldo' but still be expensive.

No, that is a literal translation error. Always use 'in saldo'.

'Scontato' is a general adjective for any discount. 'In saldo' specifically refers to the seasonal clearance events.

Yes, it is a very common and polite question in shops.

Yes, but often they don't put signs in the window. You have to go inside and ask.

It means 'further sales' or extra discounts on top of the already reduced price.

No, for cars or houses, we usually use 'in promozione' or 'prezzo trattabile'.

It is neutral. You can use it with a shop assistant or a CEO.

It comes from the idea of 'settling' (saldare) the store's inventory balance.

عبارات مرتبط

🔗

in offerta

similar

on offer / on promotion

🔄

scontato

synonym

discounted

🔗

a metà prezzo

specialized form

at half price

🔗

fuori tutto

specialized form

everything must go

🔗

prezzo pieno

contrast

full price

🔗

fare affari

builds on

to get good deals

کجا استفاده کنیم

👗

At a clothing store in Rome

Customer: Scusi, questa gonna è in saldo?

Shop Assistant: Sì, è scontata del trenta per cento.

neutral
👜

Talking to a friend about a new bag

Friend: Che bella borsa! È nuova?

You: Sì, l'ho presa in saldo ieri. Un vero affare!

informal
📅

Checking the dates of the sales

Tourist: Quando vanno in saldo i vestiti estivi?

Local: Di solito i saldi iniziano la prima settimana di luglio.

neutral
💎

In a luxury boutique

Client: Avete degli articoli in saldo in questo reparto?

Staff: Certamente, segua pure questa direzione verso l'area outlet.

formal
🍎

Browsing a market

Vendor: Tutto in saldo a fine giornata!

Shopper: Ottimo, prendo due chili di arance.

informal
💻

Online shopping support

User: Il codice sconto non funziona sugli articoli in saldo.

Support: Esatto, le promozioni non sono cumulabili con i saldi.

neutral

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'In Saldo' as 'In the Solid-o'—the price is now 'solid' and won't go any lower!

Visual Association

Imagine a giant block of ice (solid) melting away to reveal a pair of designer shoes inside. The melting ice represents the price dropping until it hits the 'solid' bottom.

Rhyme

Se vuoi risparmiare, in saldo devi comprare!

Story

Marco wanted a Ferrari jacket but it cost 500 euros. He waited until July. He walked into the shop, saw the 'SALDI' sign, and found the jacket 'in saldo' for 250 euros. He paid his 'saldo' (balance) and left happy.

Word Web

scontoprezzonegoziocompraresoldiaffaremodavetrina

چالش

Go to an Italian online store (like Yoox or OVS) and find three items 'in saldo'. Write down their original price and their sale price in Italian.

In Other Languages

Spanish high

en rebajas

Italian uses 'in' + singular, Spanish uses 'en' + plural.

French high

en solde

Virtually no difference in usage or concept.

German moderate

im Ausverkauf

German focuses on the 'selling out' aspect, Italian on the 'settled price' aspect.

Japanese moderate

セール中 (Sēru-chū)

Japanese uses a loanword from English, whereas Italian uses a native Latin-derived term.

Arabic partial

في التنزيلات (fi al-tanzilat)

The imagery is about the movement of the price (downward) rather than the balance of an account.

Chinese low

打折 (dǎzhé)

The mathematical logic is reversed; Chinese states the percentage you pay, Italian states the state of the item.

Korean moderate

세일 중 (se-il jung)

Relies on English terminology for the modern retail concept.

Portuguese high

em saldos

Portuguese typically uses the plural 'saldos' in the phrase, unlike Italian's singular 'saldo'.

Easily Confused

in saldo در مقابل in offerta

Learners use 'in saldo' for every discount.

Use 'in saldo' for clothes in Jan/July; use 'in offerta' for food or small promos.

in saldo در مقابل saldare

The verb can mean 'to weld' or 'to pay a debt'.

Context is everything. If you are at a mechanic, it's welding. If you are at a bank, it's paying.

سوالات متداول (12)

Generally no. Use 'in offerta' for food discounts. 'In saldo' is for durable goods like fashion and home decor.

The phrase is 'in saldo' (singular). The event is 'i saldi' (plural). Example: 'Compro scarpe in saldo durante i saldi.'

Usually on the first working day before Epiphany (January 5th or 6th), depending on the region.

Not exactly. It means 'discounted'. A luxury item can be 'in saldo' but still be expensive.

No, that is a literal translation error. Always use 'in saldo'.

'Scontato' is a general adjective for any discount. 'In saldo' specifically refers to the seasonal clearance events.

Yes, it is a very common and polite question in shops.

Yes, but often they don't put signs in the window. You have to go inside and ask.

It means 'further sales' or extra discounts on top of the already reduced price.

No, for cars or houses, we usually use 'in promozione' or 'prezzo trattabile'.

It is neutral. You can use it with a shop assistant or a CEO.

It comes from the idea of 'settling' (saldare) the store's inventory balance.

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