Italian · Travel & Places
chiesa
church
Beginnernoun · f
Definition
A building used for Christian worship.
Example
Quella chiesa risale al Medioevo.
That church dates back to the Middle Ages.
Etymology
The word 'chiesa' originates from the Greek 'ekklēsía', meaning 'assembly' or 'church', which passed into Latin as 'ecclesia' before becoming 'chiesa' in Italian.
How & Where It’s Used
Used in both formal and informal contexts, 'chiesa' refers specifically to Christian places of worship and is common in spoken and written Italian, reflecting its importance in Italian culture.
Literary Heritage
Notable references include Dante Alighieri's 'Divine Comedy', where churches symbolize redemption.