ciuccio
/ˈt͡ʃut.t͡ʃo/
The Italian word for pacifier is ciuccio.
The word ciuccio refers to the rubber or plastic nipple given to a baby to suck on for comfort.
Which one should you use?
While ciuccio refers to the entire pacifier, the word tettarella is used to specifically refer to the nipple part of the device.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable. It is pronounced /ˈtʃut.tʃo/.
Did you know?
- The word ciuccio is actually a linguistic relative of the word for 'donkey', which is ciuco.
- If you call someone a ciuccio in a metaphorical sense, you might be calling them a 'fool' or a 'simpleton', much like the characteristics of a donkey.
Examples in context
- Mia sorella tiene sempre il suo ciuccio con sé.My sister always keeps her pacifier with her.
- Niccolò ha lasciato il suo ciuccio nel ristorante.Niccolò left his pacifier at the restaurant.
- Permitto a mio figlio di avere il suo ciuccio solo quando si addormenta.I allow my son to have his pacifier only when he falls asleep.
- Riccardo ha una collezione di ciucci colorati.Riccardo has a collection of colorful pacifiers.
- Il bambino piange perché ha perso il ciuccio.The baby is crying because he lost his pacifier.
- Devo comprare un nuovo ciuccio in farmacia.I need to buy a new pacifier at the pharmacy.
- Hai visto dove ho messo il ciuccio?Have you seen where I put the pacifier?
Example conversation
Giulia and Francesco are at home looking after their baby.
- GiuliaFrancesco, il bambino ha bisogno del suo ciuccio.Francesco, the baby needs his pacifier.
- FrancescoLo cerco subito nel cassetto.I'll look for it in the drawer immediately.
- GiuliaSpero che sia pulito.I hope it is clean.
- FrancescoSì, l'ho appena lavato.Yes, I just washed it.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ciuccio, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ciuccio, CC BY-SA 4.0.
