pipistrello
/pi.pisˈtrɛl.lo/masculine
The English word 'bat' is translated into Italian as pipistrello.
pipistrello is a masculine noun used to refer to the small flying mammal.
Meaning: small flying mammal (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of pipistrello is pipistrelli.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has four syllables, with the stress on the third syllable. The IPA is /pi.pisˈtrɛl.lo/.
Did you know?
- The word pipistrello is actually a diminutive, which linguistically means it is a 'little evening thing'.
- While English uses 'bat' for both the mammal and the sporting equipment, in Italian, you must use entirely different words, such as mazza for the object.
- While pipistrello is the standard term, some Italian regions historically used words related to 'mice' because bats were once thought to be 'flying mice'.
Examples in context
- Un pipistrello morse Tom.A bat bit Tom.This sentence shows how to use pipistrello when describing an animal biting someone.Tatoeba #8367740 by Guybrush88, translation #8367573 by CK
- È un uccello o un pipistrello?Is that a bird or a bat?This sentence is useful for using pipistrello when distinguishing a bat from a bird.Tatoeba #12491564 by Guybrush88, translation #12086246 by CK
- Ha mai mangiato un pipistrello?Have you ever eaten a bat?This sentence shows how to use pipistrello when asking about eating the animal.Tatoeba #13347444 by Guybrush88, translation #8711949 by AmarMecheri
- Il pipistrello ha ali nere.The bat has black wings.
- I chirotteri usano l'ecolocazione per orientarsi.Bats use echolocation to navigate.
- 13 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Martina and Matteo are looking out a window at night.
- MartinaGuarda, Matteo, c'è un pipistrello!Look, Matteo, there is a bat!
- MatteoSì, è proprio veloce.Yes, it is very fast.
- MartinaTi fa paura il pipistrello?Are you afraid of the bat?
- MatteoNo, non mi spaventa affatto.No, it doesn't scare me at all.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bat” translations and entries pipistrello, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pipistrello, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
