cavallo
/kaˈval.lo/masculine
The Italian word for horse is cavallo.
cavallo refers to members of the species Equus ferus. Other specific terms include stallone for a stallion, puledro for a foal and cavalla for a mare.
Meaning: members of the species ''Equus ferus'' (noun)
Which one should you use?
While cavallo is the general term for a horse, cavalla is used specifically when referring to a female horse (a mare). In literary or poetic contexts, the word destriero may be used to mean a steed or charger.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine singular form is cavallo. The plural form is cavalli. The feminine form cavalla is used specifically to refer to a female horse.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable. It is pronounced /kaˈval.lo/.
When do people say it?
Specific activities and roles related to horses include equitazione (horse riding), corsa di cavalli (horse race), a cavallo (horseback) and allevatore di cavalli (horse breeder).
Did you know?
- In Italian, the phrase cavalcavia literally means 'horse-way' but refers to an overpass or flyover bridge.
- The term cavallo di battaglia literally means 'battle horse' but is used to describe someone's strongest argument or a signature piece of music.
- In Italian, the phrase a cavallo tra is used to describe something that spans two different time periods or locations, like a house 'a cavallo tra' two streets.
Examples in context
- Il cavallo è mio.The horse is mine.This sentence shows how to express ownership of a cavallo.Tatoeba #672889 by Guybrush88, translation #672887 by Shishir
- È il suo cavallo.That's his horse.This sentence shows how to identify a cavallo belonging to someone else.Tatoeba #2510694 by Guybrush88, translation #2510688 by AlanF_US
- È il tuo cavallo.That's your horse.This sentence shows how to identify a cavallo belonging to you.Tatoeba #13291545 by Guybrush88, translation #9479888 by Amastan
- Vorrei comprare un cavallo.I would like to buy a horse.
- Il cavallo è un animale elegante.The horse is an elegant animal.
- Loro hanno partecipato a una gara di cavalli.They participated in a horse race.
- 804 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Giulia and Lorenzo are at a countryside farm.
- GiuliaGuarda quel bellissimo cavallo!Look at that beautiful horse!
- LorenzoSì, il cavallo è molto grande.Yes, the horse is very big.
- GiuliaVuoi cavalcare il cavallo?Do you want to ride the horse?
- LorenzoNo, ho un po' paura.No, I am a little afraid.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “horse” translations and entries cavallo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
