storia

Storia is the Italian noun that can denote both history—the discipline and record of past events—and a story or tale told about someone or something. In everyday language the intended sense is usually clear from context: la storia dell’Italia refers to Italy’s history, while è una storia refers to a tale.

Etymology: The word derives from Latin historia, via Greek historeia. It is etymologically related to the English words history and story, reflecting their common origins in the same ancient roots.

Usage and nuances: When used for past events, storia implies a chronological account or field of study (storia). When used for a narrative, it can be fictional or non-fiction; distinctions are often clarified with modifiers (storia vera) or by using terms such as racconto or narrazione for a shorter or more crafted tale. Cronaca emphasizes a factual report, often in journalism.

Cultural and educational context: In Italian schools, storia is a core subject taught from primary through secondary education. The word appears in titles of films, books, and media to indicate either historical content or the plot of a narrative.

Related terms: storie is the plural form; storico can mean historical or a historian, depending on context. Storiografia is the study of the writing of history and how historical narratives are constructed.