Guida

Guida is an Italian noun with several related meanings. It most commonly denotes a person who leads or directs others, such as a tour guide or a guide in a navigation or instructional context. It can also refer to a reference work that provides information, directions, or instructions, such as a handbook or guidebook. The term is feminine in gender, with the plural form guide.

Etymology and form: Guida is derived from the Italian verb guidare, meaning to guide or lead. This connection explains the primary senses of the word: the agent who guides and the material that guides. The word appears in compound expressions that describe specific kinds of guides, such as guida turistica (tour guide), guida pratica (practical guide), and guida spirituale (spiritual guide).

Usage and examples: In everyday language, una guida turistica can accompany travelers in cities or regions. Un manuale o una guida pratica serves as a manual or reference book for procedures, equipment, or tasks. The term also appears in institutional or commercial titles, for example in publication series like Guida Michelin, which designates a published guide to restaurants and hotels. Beyond travel and manuals, guida can describe guidance offered in mentoring, education, or technology when referring to directional information or instructions.

Surname and broader presence: Guida is also a surname of Italian origin. As a family name, it appears in Italy and among Italian communities abroad. While primarily a common noun, it can thus be encountered in both personal names and established proper nouns, depending on context.