How to Say "Bug" in Italian - How To Say Guide

insetto

/inˈsɛt.to/

The English word bug translates to Italian as insetto.

insetto is used as a colloquial name for various arthropods and other similar creeping creatures.

Meaning: a colloquial name for various arthropods and other similar creeping creatures (noun)

How does it change in a sentence?

insetto is a masculine noun. Its plural form is insetti.

The word has three syllables, with the stress on the second syllable: /inˈsɛt.to/.

Unlike the English 'bug' which can mean a sickness, saying ho un insetto in Italian would mean 'I have a bug (the animal) inside me' rather than 'I am sick'.
While English speakers use 'bug' to describe a small error in computer code, Italians would never use insetto for this. They would instead use the word bug borrowed directly from English or refer to a 'malfunzionamento'.
The word insetto comes from the Latin word īnsectus, which means 'cut into' or 'divided into sections'.

Mi morse un insetto.
A bug bit me.
This sentence is useful for describing being bitten by an insetto.
Tatoeba #4897093 by Guybrush88, translation #4655063 by Josefwintzent
Tom mangiò un insetto.
Tom ate a bug.
This sentence is useful for describing someone eating an insetto.
Tatoeba #10477401 by Guybrush88, translation #10119303 by ddnktr
L'insetto è ancora vivo.
The bug is still alive.
This sentence is useful for stating that an insetto is still alive.
Tatoeba #1272809 by Guybrush88, translation #45094 by CK
Il giardino è infestato da insetti.
The garden is infested with bugs.
13 more sentences on Tatoeba

Francesco and Chiara are in the garden.

Francesco

Guarda, c'è un insetto su questo fiore!
Look, there is a bug on this flower!
Chiara

Che tipo di insetto è?
What kind of bug is it?
Francesco

Non lo so, è molto piccolo.
I don't know, it is very small.
Chiara

Non toccarlo, potrebbe pungere.
Don't touch it, it might sting.

Sources

⭐Share⭐ to appreciate human effort 🙏