Calzolaio vs. ciabattino
The Italian words 'calzolaio' and 'ciabattino' both refer to professionals who work with shoes, but they have distinct meanings and uses.
Calzolaio
'Calzolaio' is the general term for a shoemaker or cobbler in Italian. It refers to a person who makes, repairs, or sells shoes.
Il calzolaio ha riparato le mie scarpe rotte.
(The shoemaker repaired my broken shoes.)
Mio nonno era un calzolaio molto rispettato in città.
(My grandfather was a highly respected shoemaker in town.)
Ciabattino
'Ciabattino' specifically refers to a cobbler or shoe repairer. It emphasizes the repair aspect rather than the making of new shoes.
Ho portato le mie scarpe vecchie dal ciabattino per farle risuolare.
(I took my old shoes to the cobbler to have them resoled.)
Il ciabattino del quartiere è noto per il suo lavoro di qualità.
(The neighborhood cobbler is known for his quality work.)
Summary
While 'calzolaio' is a broader term encompassing making, repairing, and selling shoes, 'ciabattino' specifically refers to a shoe repairer or cobbler. 'Calzolaio' is more commonly used and can include 'ciabattino' in its meaning, but 'ciabattino' is more specific to repair work.