orecchio
/oˈrek.kjo/masculine
The Italian word for ear is orecchio. Wiktionary also lists orecchia.
Meaning: organ of hearing (noun)
Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| orecchio | /oˈrek.kjo/ | masculine |
| orecchia | /oˈrek.kja/ | feminine |
This noun refers to the organ of hearing.
Which one should you use?
While orecchio is a masculine noun, orecchia is a feminine noun.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural for the masculine form orecchio is orecchie. This is also the standard plural form for the feminine orecchia.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /oˈrek.kjo/. It has three syllables, and the stress is on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- In Italian, the word orecchioni can be used to describe people with physically large ears or to refer to specific types of large pasta shapes.
- The word orecchia is used to describe the 'ear' or handle of a cooking pot and the 'tabs' on a folder.
- Orecchia comes from the Latin ōricula, which was a diminutive form meaning 'little ear'.
Examples in context
- Suona il piano ad orecchio.She plays the piano by ear.This example shows how to use orecchio to describe playing music by ear.Tatoeba #1541071 by Guybrush88, translation #314558 by CK
- È sordo da un orecchio, vero?He's deaf in one ear, isn't he?This example uses orecchio to ask if someone is deaf in one ear.Tatoeba #8732412 by Guybrush88, translation #8528439 by CH
- È sorda dall'orecchio destro.She's deaf in her right ear.This example uses orecchio to specify that someone is deaf in the right ear.Tatoeba #10748302 by Guybrush88, translation #7388862 by CH
- Ho un dolore all'orecchio sinistro.I have pain in my left ear.
- Mi prudono le orecchie!My ears are itching!
- 56 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lorenzo is complaining about a sudden pain in his ear.
- LorenzoMi fa male l'orecchio sinistro.My left ear hurts.
- ChiaraHai preso freddo all'orecchio?Did you get a chill in your ear?
- LorenzoForse, sento un fischio nell'orecchio.Maybe, I hear a ringing in my ear.
- ChiaraAllora devi andare dal medico.Then you should go to the doctor.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ear” translations and entries orecchio, orecchia, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries orecchia, orecchio, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
