ratto nero
/ˈrat.to ˈne.ro/word by wordmasculine
The English phrase "black rat" is ratto nero in Italian.
ratto nero is a masculine noun used to refer to the specific species Rattus rattus.
Meaning: Rattus rattus (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the noun ratto (rat) and the adjective nero (black).
How does it change in a sentence?
When referring to multiple black rats, the plural form ratti neri is used. In this plural form, both the noun and the adjective must take the masculine plural ending -i.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ˈrat.to ˈne.ro/. It has 4 syllables, and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- The word ratto is a linguistic stranger to the Romance family, having entered the Italian lexicon from Proto-Germanic roots rather than through Latin. It shares an ancestry with the English word 'rat'.
- While ratto nero refers to the species, using the word ratto as a metaphor for a person in Italian often implies they are a traitor or a sneak, rather than just dirty.
- In Italian folklore and colloquialisms, the phrase essere un ratto is less common than essere un topo, as topo is the general word for mouse or rat in most daily contexts.
Examples in context
- Ho visto un ratto nero per strada ieri sera.I saw a black rat in the street last night.
- Ho visto un ratto nero nel giardino.I saw a black rat in the garden.
- Il ratto nero è scappato sotto il tavolo.The black rat escaped under the table.
- C'è un ratto nero in questa scatola.There is a black rat in this box.
Example conversation
Giulia and Matteo are discussing a pest problem in the garden.
- GiuliaMatteo, guarda quel ratto nero vicino al bidone!Matteo, look at that black rat near the bin!
- MatteoOddio, è davvero grande!Oh my god, it is really big!
- GiuliaDobbiamo chiamare subito un derattizzatore.We need to call an exterminator immediately.
- MatteoSì, non voglio quel ratto nero in casa.Yes, I don't want that black rat in the house.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “black rat” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (ratto, nero) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries nero, ratto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
