Language/Italian/Vocabulary/Animals
Hi Italian learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will be exploring the fascinating world of Italian animals vocabulary, with plenty of interesting cultural information and fun facts to keep you engaged!
Consider exploring these related pages after completing this lesson: Family Vocabulary in Italian, Dinner Table, Problems in Italian & English Italian False Cognates.
Domestic Animals[edit | edit source]
Let's start with some of the most common domestic animals in Italy:
| Italian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Cane | /ˈka.ne/ | Dog |
| Gatto | /ˈɡat.tɔ/ | Cat |
| Cavallo | /kaˈval.lo/ | Horse |
| Maiale | /ˈma.jale/ | Pig |
| Mucca | /ˈmut.tʃa/ | Cow |
| Pollo | /ˈpɔl.lo/ | Chicken |
Here is a dialogue between two friends:
- Person 1: Ho appena adottato un cane! (/I just adopted a dog!/)
- Person 2: Che razza è? (/What breed is it?/)
- Person 1: È un pastore tedesco. (/It's a German shepherd./)
Did you know that in Italy, cats are believed to have nine lives, just like in many other countries? And that the Italian word for "horse" is used in a common Italian saying to describe someone who is very busy and always on the go: "è sempre a cavallo" (/he is always on a horse/)!
Wild Animals[edit | edit source]
Italy boasts a diverse range of wild animals, many of which are native to specific regions of the country. Here are some examples:
| Italian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Lupo | /ˈlu.po/ | Wolf |
| Orso | /ˈor.so/ | Bear |
| Capriolo | /kaˈpri.jo.lo/ | Roe deer |
| Camoscio | /kaˈmɔʃ.tʃo/ | Chamois |
| Aquila | /aˈkwi.la/ | Eagle |
| Cinghiale | /ˈʧi.ɲa.le/ | Wild boar |
Here is another dialogue:
- Person 1: Guarda, un orso! (/Look, a bear!/)
- Person 2: Dove? Non vedo niente. (/Where? I don't see anything./)
- Person 1: È dietro le montagne, laggiù. (/It's behind the mountains, over there./)
It's interesting to note that the Italian word for "wolf" is sometimes used to describe a very sneaky person, while the word for "wild boar" is used to describe someone who is stubborn and unwilling to listen to others.
Sea Creatures[edit | edit source]
With over 7600 km of coastline, it's no surprise that Italy has a rich and varied marine life. Here are some sea creatures you might encounter:
| Italian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Squalo | /ˈskwa.lo/ | Shark |
| Delfino | /delˈfi.no/ | Dolphin |
| Granchio | /ˈɡran.kjo/ | Crab |
| Medusa | /meˈdu.za/ | Jellyfish |
| Polpo | /ˈpɔl.po/ | Octopus |
| Tartaruga | /tar.taˈru.ga/ | Turtle |
Are you a fan of seafood? Italians certainly are! Some popular seafood dishes include spaghetti alle vongole (spaghetti with clams), frittura di mare (fried seafood platter), and insalata di mare (seafood salad).
Here's a dialogue to help you practice:
- Person 1: Ho visto una medusa oggi in spiaggia. (/I saw a jellyfish on the beach today./)
- Person 2: Ah no, spero che non ti sia fatta male. (/Oh no, I hope you didn't get hurt./)
- Person 1: No no, ho avuto fortuna. (/No no, I was lucky./)
Insects[edit | edit source]
Finally, let's take a look at some Italian insects:
| Italian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Ape | /ˈa.pe/ | Bee |
| Farfalla | /farˈfal.la/ | Butterfly |
| Formica | /forˈmi.ka/ | Ant |
| Vespa | /ˈvɛs.pa/ | Wasp |
| Ragnatela | /raɲˈna.te.la/ | Spider web |
Fun fact: honeybees play a crucial role in Italy's agricultural industry, pollinating crops and producing some of the world's finest honey.
Here's another dialogue:
- Person 1: C'è una vespa nella stanza! (/There's a wasp in the room!/)
- Person 2: Non muoverti, io la prendo. (/Don't move, I'll catch it./)
- Person 1: Grazie, sei molto coraggioso! (/Thank you, you are very brave!./)
That's it for our lesson on Italian animals vocabulary! We hope you enjoyed it and learned some new words and phrases. Don't forget to practice with native speakers and explore other areas of Italian Vocabulary on our Polyglot Club website.
➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎
Videos[edit | edit source]
Italian Vocabulary: 20 Words on ANIMALS || Video in Italiano: GLI ...[edit | edit source]
Italian Vocabulary: Wild Animals - YouTube[edit | edit source]
Italian Vocabulary: Domestic Animals - YouTube[edit | edit source]
Learn Italian - Italian Safari Animals Vocabulary - YouTube[edit | edit source]
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Bar
- Asking Directions
- Days Months and Seasons
- Phrasal verbs
- Feelings and Emotions
- Seasons
- Fruits
- Camping
- Imperative Case in Italian
- Vegetables
Sources[edit | edit source]
- Common Animal Names In Italian: 31+ Fun Vocabulary - Ling App
- Italian Animals: How to Say 65 Adorable Animal Names
- Learn Animals in Italian: 25 Vocabulary Words with Some Cool ...