libellula
/liˈbɛl.lu.la/feminine
The English word "dragonfly" is translated into Italian as libellula.
libellula is the most common term used to refer to the dragonfly insect in Italian.
Meaning: insect of the infraorder Anisoptera (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The word is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /liˈbɛl.lu.la/. It has 4 syllables, and the stress is on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- The name libellula is actually a diminutive of a tool used by builders, specifically a 'carpenter's level'.
- While English uses 'dragonfly' for several species, Italians may use the term damigella for smaller, slenderer species like damselflies.
- The term was popularized by the Swedish botanist Carl von Linné, meaning the name is a product of 18th-century scientific naming rather than ancient folklore.
Examples in context
- C'è una libellula sul soffitto.There is a dragonfly on the ceiling.This sentence is useful for seeing how to say a dragonfly is on the ceiling.Tatoeba #3022823 by Guybrush88, translation #278780 by CK
- La libellula stava volando veloce sull'acqua.The dragonfly was skimming across the water.This sentence is useful for describing a dragonfly flying quickly over the water.Tatoeba #12750471 by Guybrush88, translation #328745 by fcbond
- Ieri ho visto una libellula volare vicino al fiume.Yesterday, I saw a dragonfly flying near the river.
- Le libellule danzavano nell'aria, colorando il cielo di blu e dorato.The dragonflies danced in the air, coloring the sky with blue and gold.
- Mi affascina l'eleganza delle libellule.I am fascinated by the elegance of dragonflies.
- Ho visto una libellula blu nel giardino.I saw a blue dragonfly in the garden.
Example conversation
Martina and Lorenzo are walking through a park near a pond.
- MartinaGuarda quella bella libellula sopra il laghetto!Look at that beautiful dragonfly above the pond!
- LorenzoSì, è davvero colorata, Martina.Yes, it is really colorful, Martina.
- MartinaÈ volata via molto velocemente.It flew away very quickly.
- LorenzoSì, è un insetto molto agile.Yes, it is a very agile insect.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dragonfly” translations and entries libellula, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries libellula, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
