Adjectives of possibility (-bile)

When brainstorming eccentric new product designs, you need to evaluate what is possible, doable, or imaginable. In Italian, you can turn an action into an adjective of possibility by attaching the suffix -bile. This works exactly like the English suffixes "-able" and "-ible".

Forming adjectives with -abile and -ibile

To create these adjectives, drop the infinitive ending and add the suffix. Verbs ending in -are take -abile, while verbs ending in -ere or -ire usually take -ibile. Some common verbs have slightly irregular forms, like fare (to do), which becomes fattibile (feasible/doable).

Because they end in -e, these adjectives use the same singular ending for both masculine and feminine nouns.

It is a strange invention, but it is a feasible project.
È un'invenzione strana, ma è un progetto fattibile.
Such a small computer is an achievable option.
Un computer così piccolo è un'opzione realizzabile.

Describing product features

This suffix is incredibly useful for pitching the practical features of a new prototype. Whether a gadget can be worn (indossare), washed (lavare), or replaced (sostituire), you can turn the verb directly into a selling point.

We have created a very comfortable wearable technology.
Abbiamo creato una tecnologia indossabile molto comoda.
They invented a keyboard washable with soap and water.
Hanno inventato una tastiera lavabile con acqua e sapone.
This broken part is easily replaceable.
Questo pezzo rotto è facilmente sostituibile.

Evaluating the eccentric and the impossible

When ideas get too extravagant—like an edible box (mangiabile)—you might need to express skepticism. Just as in English, you can negate these adjectives with prefixes like in- or im- to describe something that simply cannot be done, imagined, or believed.

An edible box is an extravagant idea.
Una scatola mangiabile è un'idea stravagante.
The rechargeable umbrella is an unimaginable product.
L'ombrello ricaricabile è un prodotto inimmaginabile.