sposato

Sposato is an Italian term that functions as an adjective meaning married. It is used to indicate a person’s marital status and agrees with gender and number: masculine singular is sposato, feminine singular is sposata, masculine plural is sposati, and feminine plural is sposate. As a past participle of the verb sposare, it also appears in compound tenses with avere, as in ho sposato Maria, meaning “I married Maria,” or in the sense of being married, as in è sposato, “he is married.”

Etymology and related forms: Sposato derives from the same root as sposo (husband) and sposa (wife). These terms come from the Latin root associated with betrothal and marriage, and the verb sposare (to marry) shares its origin with the noun forms used for spouses.

Other uses: Sposato is also found as a surname in Italy and among Italian communities abroad. In genealogical and demographic contexts, it may appear in records and family trees, reflecting a family name rather than a status descriptor.

Notes on usage: In everyday Italian, the adjective sposato is most commonly used to describe someone’s status, e.g., Sono sposato; Mia sorella è sposata. It should not be confused with lo sposo or la sposa, which refer to the bride and groom. The word remains neutral and widely understood in civil and formal contexts.