grillo
/ˈɡril.lo/
The Italian word grillo means cricket, referring to a small jumping insect that makes a chirping sound.
grillo is the noun used to identify the insect itself.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form is grillo and the plural form is grilli (crickets).
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 2 syllables, with the stress on the 1st syllable. It is pronounced /ˈɡril.lo/.
What mistakes should you avoid?
While grillo is the name of the insect, if you want to describe the action of many small insects or frogs making a sound, use the verb gracidare (to chirp or croak).
Did you know?
- In Italian politics, the term grillo became a modern symbol of protest and civic activism due to the influence of comedian Beppe Grillo and his 'Five Star Movement'.
- In Italian folklore, the grillo is often seen as a symbol of luck and protection. Keeping a cricket in the house was traditionally thought to bring prosperity to the family.
- In Italian, the phrase grillare is used to describe the act of grilling food, but it is a loanword from English. The insect grillo and the cooking method grillare are not linguistically related despite sounding almost identical.
Examples in context
- Il grillo verde è un insetto comune nella regione mediterranea.The green cricket is a common insect in the Mediterranean region.
- Ieri sera ho sentito il grillo cantare nel giardino di nonna.Last night, I heard the cricket singing in grandma's garden.
- Guarda, c'è un piccolo grillino sulla finestra!Look, there's a little cricket on the window!
- C'è un grillo nel giardino.There is a cricket in the garden.
- Sento il verso di un grillo.I hear the sound of a cricket.
- Il grillo salta sull'erba.The cricket jumps on the grass.
Example conversation
Sofia and Lorenzo are sitting outside at night.
- SofiaSenti quel suono, Lorenzo?Do you hear that sound, Lorenzo?
- LorenzoSì, credo sia un grillo.Yes, I think it's a cricket.
- SofiaDove si trova il grillo?Where is the cricket?
- LorenzoÈ nascosto tra l'erba, Sofia.It's hidden in the grass, Sofia.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry grillo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
