formica
/forˈmi.ka/feminine
The English word "ant" is translated into Italian as formica.
The word formica refers to the insect. In informal or casual contexts, you may also encounter the diminutive form formichina, which means "little ant".
Meaning: insect (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /forˈmi.ka/. It has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- The Italian word formichio describes the specific tingling sensation of 'pins and needles' in a limb, literally evoking the feeling of ants crawling on the skin.
- The brand name 'Formica', famous for laminate surfaces, is actually the Italian word for 'ant'.
- In some Italian idioms, the formica is contrasted with the cicala (cicada) to represent the conflict between foresight and procrastination.
Examples in context
- La formica era rossa.The ant was red.This sentence is useful for describing the color of a formica.Tatoeba #6162779 by Guybrush88, translation #6162778 by sundown
- Lavora come la formica.Work as the ant.This sentence demonstrates the use of formica in a comparison regarding work.Tatoeba #6935086 by Guybrush88, translation #760108 by shanghainese
- Sysko lavora come una formica.Sysko works like an ant.This sentence shows how to use formica when describing someone working like an ant.Tatoeba #3988217 by Guybrush88, translation #67331 by Scott
- Guarda la piccola formichina nel giardino!Look at the little ant in the garden!
- Hai visto la formichina sul tuo libro?Did you see the little ant on your book?
- Ho notato diverse formichine tra le piante del giardino.I noticed several ants among the plants in the garden.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alessandro and Sofia are having breakfast in the kitchen.
- AlessandroSofia, guarda quella formica vicino al pane.Sofia, look at that ant near the bread.
- SofiaOh, è davvero piccola!Oh, it is really small!
- AlessandroSì, la formica è molto veloce.Yes, the ant is very fast.
- SofiaPrendiamo lo straccio per pulire.Let's get a cloth to clean up.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ant” translations and entries formica, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries formica, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
