mucca
/ˈmuk.ka/feminine
In Italian, the English word "cow" is translated as mucca. Wiktionary also lists vacca.
Meaning: adult female of species Bos taurus (noun)
Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| mucca | /ˈmuk.ka/ | feminine |
| vacca | /ˈvak.ka/ | feminine |
Both mucca and vacca refer to the adult female of the species Bos taurus. If you are looking for a broader term that encompasses all bovine animals, including cows, you might use bovino.
Which one should you use?
The word vacca is the technical or agricultural term used by farmers and in biology, but it can sound blunt or even vulgar in casual social contexts.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Both mucca and vacca are feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈmuk.ka/. It has two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers should avoid using vacca in polite conversation, as it is often used as a slang insult for a woman, similar to calling someone a 'cow' in English but with a harsher connotation.
Did you know?
- The common word mucca might actually be a linguistic visitor from Germanic roots, possibly linked to the German word Mugg, rather than coming from the native Latin roots used for other bovine terms.
- The word mucca is often used in Italian nursery rhymes and children's stories to make the animal sound friendly and cute.
- Calling a woman a vacca in Italy is considered significantly more offensive and vulgar than calling a woman a 'cow' in English.
Examples in context
- Tom ha una mucca.Tom has a cow.This sentence shows how to express possession with mucca.Tatoeba #3114861 by Guybrush88, translation #2915483 by sabretou
- Non ho una mucca.I don't have a cow.Tatoeba #6680745 by Guybrush88, translation #6780543 by CK
- C'è una mucca lì.There is a cow there.This sentence shows how to indicate the presence of a mucca.Tatoeba #11230491 by Guybrush88, translation #9958685 by Amastan
- Sai, mia nonna ha una fattoria in campagna e ha una vacca enorme!You know, my grandma has a farm in the countryside and she has a huge cow!
- Ho visto una mucca nel campo.I saw a cow in the field.
- Le mucche sono brune.The cows are brown.
- 203 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Francesco and Chiara are walking through a countryside field.
- FrancescoGuarda quella mucca, Chiara!Look at that cow, Chiara!
- ChiaraÈ davvero carina quella mucca.That cow is really cute.
- FrancescoSì, la mucca sembra tranquilla.Yes, the cow looks peaceful.
- ChiaraFrancesco, ha un bel colore.Francesco, she has a beautiful color.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cow” translations and entries mucca, vacca, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mucca, vacca, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
