This Italian–English climbing vocabulary collects some of the most commonly used terms in multi-pitch climbing, sport climbing, via ferratas and mountaineering in the Dolomites.
It comes from real experience in the mountains with foreign climbers and visitors who often do not know the Italian technical terms used in climbing, but also from the opposite need: understanding the English language commonly used in modern climbing.
This is not a complete dictionary, but rather a practical collection of words and expressions actually used on the wall and during days out with an alpine guide.
Climbing commands
| English |
Italiano |
Meaning |
| Take! |
Blocca! |
Keep the rope tight |
| Slack! |
Molla! |
Give me more rope |
| Take in! |
Recupera! |
Pull in the rope |
| Climb, on belay! |
Puoi venire! |
You are on belay, you can start climbing |
| Off belay! |
Libera! |
The rope is free, you can pull it in |
| Rope! |
Corda! |
Watch the rope |
| Rock! |
Sasso! |
Watch out, falling rocks |
| Watch out! |
Attento! |
Be careful |
Rock features and terrain
| English |
Italiano |
Meaning |
| Arête / Edge |
Spigolo |
Sharp rock feature between two faces |
| Corner / Dihedral / Open book |
Diedro |
Intersection between two rock faces |
| Chimney |
Camino |
Wide crack climbed using body opposition |
| Crack |
Fessura |
Split or fissure in the rock |
| Slab |
Placca |
Low-angle compact rock face |
| Overhang |
Strapiombo |
Rock wall leaning outward |
| Roof |
Tetto |
Large horizontal rock overhang |
| Ledge |
Cengia |
Narrow natural shelf in the rock |
| Gully / Couloir |
Canale |
Natural groove or channel between rocks |
| Scree slope |
Ghiaione |
Slope made of loose stones and debris |
| Notch / Col |
Forcella |
Pass between two peaks |
| Summit / Top |
Cima |
Highest point of a mountain |
| Loose rock |
Roccia marcia |
Unstable and fragile rock |
Climbing equipment
| English |
Italiano |
Meaning |
| Harness |
Imbrago |
Equipment used to tie into the rope |
| Helmet |
Casco |
Head protection |
| Rope |
Corda |
Climbing rope |
| Half ropes |
Mezze corde |
Pair of ropes commonly used in mountaineering |
| Twin ropes |
Corde gemelle |
Pair of ropes clipped together |
| Quickdraw |
Rinvio |
Two carabiners connected by a sling |
| Carabiner |
Moschettone |
Metal connector used in climbing and mountaineering |
| Locking carabiner |
Moschettone a ghiera |
Carabiner with a locking mechanism |
| Bolt |
Spit |
Fixed anchor placed in the rock |
| Piton |
Chiodo da roccia |
Metal protection hammered into the rock |
| Sling |
Fettuccia |
Loop of fabric used for anchors and protection |
| Cord / Accessory cord |
Cordino |
Thin cord used for knots and climbing systems |
| Cam |
Friend |
Removable protection placed in cracks |
| Nut / Stopper |
Nut |
Removable protection wedged into the rock |
| Belay anchor |
Sosta |
Anchor point used during climbing |
| Belay device |
Dispositivo di assicurazione |
Device used for belaying |
| Belay / Rappel device |
Discensore |
Device used for belaying and abseiling |
| Climbing shoes |
Scarpette d’arrampicata |
Shoes specifically designed for climbing |
Types of climbing holds
Different types of holds used in rock climbing.
| English |
Italiano |
Meaning |
| Tufas |
Concrezioni |
Limestone formations typical of sport climbing |
| Blobs |
Grandi concrezioni |
Large rounded limestone formations |
| Cracks |
Fessure |
Splits in the rock used as holds or protection placements |
| Crimps |
Tacche |
Small holds mainly used with the fingers |
| Flakes |
Scaglie |
Detached or partially detached sections of rock |
| Gaston |
Prese di spalla |
Holds used by pushing outward |
| Jugs |
Maniglie |
Large and easy-to-grip holds |
| Pockets / Huecos |
Buchi |
Holes in the rock used as holds |
| Polished |
Unto |
Rock smoothed by repeated use |
| Ribs |
Canne |
Long vertical rock features |
| Slopers |
Svasi |
Rounded holds without a defined edge |
| Large slopers |
Piattoni |
Large flat sloping holds |
| Stalactites |
Stalattiti |
Hanging rock formations |
| Three finger holds |
Appigli per tre dita |
Holds used with three fingers |
| Two finger holds |
Bidito |
Holds used with two fingers |
| Mono finger holds |
Mono dito |
Holds used with one finger |
| Underclings |
Rovesci |
Holds used with the back of the hand facing downward |
| Water grooves / Runnels |
Canalette scavate dall’acqua |
Grooves formed by water erosion |
| Water pockets |
Gocce d’acqua |
Small cavities formed by water in the rock |
Climbing techniques and movements
| English |
Italiano |
Meaning |
| Layback |
Dülfer |
Technique used by pulling along an arête or crack |
| Stemming |
Opposizione |
Technique using pressure between two opposite surfaces |
| Jam |
Incastro |
Technique using hands or feet jammed into the rock |
| Heel hook |
Tallonaggio |
Technique using the heel as a pulling point |
| Toe hook |
Aggancio di punta |
Technique using the toe or upper part of the foot |
| Stem / Stemming |
Spaccata |
Wide position used to improve balance |
| Mantle |
Ribaltamento |
Movement used to get over a ledge or edge |
| Rest |
Riposo |
Position used to recover energy |
| Fall / Whipper |
Volo |
Fall during climbing |
| Free climbing |
Arrampicata in libera |
Climbing without using equipment for upward progress |
| Free solo |
Arrampicata in free solo |
Climbing without rope or protection |
| Aid climbing |
Arrampicata artificiale |
Climbing using equipment for upward progress |
| Top rope |
Moulinette |
Climbing with the rope already anchored above |
| Lead climber |
Primo di cordata |
Climber leading the pitch and placing protection |
| Second |
Secondo di cordata |
Climber following the leader and removing gear |
