aquila
/ˈa.kwi.la/feminine
The Italian word for eagle is aquila.
aquila refers to any of several large carnivorous birds in the family Accipitridae.
Meaning: any of several large carnivorous birds in the family Accipitridae (noun)
Which one should you use?
While aquila is the standard term for the bird, the word Aquilone can mean kite and is occasionally used to refer to certain types of eagles in certain contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
aquila is a feminine noun. When using the indefinite article for 'an eagle', the form becomes un'aquila because the 'a' in the feminine article una is dropped before the vowel. The plural form of aquila is aquile.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the first syllable: /ˈa.kwi.la/.
Did you know?
- The word aquila is the root of the English word 'aquiline', used to describe a curved or hooked nose like that of an eagle.
- While aquila is the bird, the word for a toy kite is aquilone, which shares the same root and implies something that 'flies like an eagle'.
- Italy has a town called L'Aquila, which translates to 'The Eagle'. Its name is derived from the bird, though it is not located on a mountain peak.
Examples in context
- L'aquila è volata via.The eagle flew away.The first sentence is useful for showing how to use aquila with a verb of movement.Tatoeba #11577189 by Guybrush88, translation #5827341 by Hybrid
- L'aquila è un uccello.The eagle is a bird.The second sentence is useful for defining aquila as a bird.Tatoeba #13291420 by Guybrush88, translation #11878030 by Ahitos
- Questa non è un'aquila.This isn't an eagle.The third sentence is useful for using the negative form of the indefinite article un'aquila.Tatoeba #13291426 by Guybrush88, translation #12128658 by timmartin
- L'aquila è un simbolo di potenza e libertàThe eagle is a symbol of power and freedom
- Ho visto un'aquila selvatica mentre facevo trekkingI saw a wild eagle while hiking
- L'aquila è un simbolo nazionaleThe eagle is a national symbol
- 49 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Martina and Francesco are hiking in the mountains.
- MartinaFrancesco, guarda lassù!Francesco, look up there!
- FrancescoDove? Ah, vedo un'aquila.Where? Ah, I see an eagle.
- MartinaÈ un'aquila maestosa.It is a majestic eagle.
- FrancescoSì, è davvero impressionante.Yes, it is truly impressive.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “eagle” translations and entries aquila, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
