manuale

Manuale is an Italian term with two main uses: as an adjective and as a noun. As an adjective, manuale describes something related to the hand or performed by hand, as in lavoro manuale (manual labor) or strumenti manuali (hand tools). As a noun, manuale refers to a handbook or guide that provides instructions or information about a device, process, or subject. In this sense, common expressions include manuale d'uso (user manual), manuale di istruzioni (instruction manual), and manuale di manutenzione. The plural form is manuali, used for both masculine and feminine nouns (un manuale, due manuali).

Etymology and scope: manuale derives from the Latin manualis, meaning “of the hand,” from manus “hand.” The term entered Italian in the medieval and early modern periods and has since been widely used in technical, educational, and everyday contexts. In publishing and academia, many textbooks and reference works are described as manuali, emphasizing practical guidance or procedures rather than theoretical exposition. Related terms include guida or vademecum, which refer to guides but with slightly different connotations.

Usage in modern Italian: manuale is common in technology, engineering, medicine, and consumer electronics, where it designates official instructions provided with a product. It is also used in broader contexts to denote any handbook that compiles procedures, safety rules, or operating guidelines. In everyday language, it can contrast with more narrative or explanatory works, while in technical writing it signals a concise, step-by-step format.