anguilla
/anˈɡwil.la/masculine
The Italian word for eel is anguilla.
The term anguilla refers to any fish belonging to the order Anguilliformes.
Meaning: any fish of the order Anguilliformes (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The word consists of 3 syllables, with the stress on the second syllable. It is pronounced /anˈɡwil.la/.
Did you know?
- The word anguilla shares its Latin ancestor with the English word 'anguish', as both stem from the idea of something twisting or writhing like an eel.
- In some Italian regions, the word anguilla is linked to the 'Christmas Eve' tradition of eating fish, where eel is a prized delicacy in specific local recipes.
- When describing someone as 'un'anguilla' in a figurative sense, Italians may refer to someone who is particularly slippery or hard to catch in a deal.
Examples in context
- Quali sono i piatti a base di anguilla nel vostro menu?What eel-based dishes do you have on your menu?
- L'anguilla è molto grassa.The eel is very fatty.
- Ho comprato un'anguilla fresca.I bought a fresh eel.
- L'anguilla nuota nel fiume.The eel swims in the river.
Example conversation
A woman and a man are talking about dinner at a market.
- FrancescoChiara, guarda quella grande anguilla!Chiara, look at that big eel!
- ChiaraSì, Francesco, sembra buonissima.Yes, Francesco, it looks delicious.
- FrancescoLa prendiamo per stasera?Shall we get it for tonight?
- ChiaraCertamente, compriamo anche del vino.Certainly, let's buy some wine too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “eel” translations and entries anguilla, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries anguilla, CC BY-SA 4.0.
