gamba
/ˈɡam.ba/feminine
The Italian word for leg is gamba. Wiktionary also lists zampa and coscia.
Meaning: lower limb from groin to ankle (noun)
Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| gamba | /ˈɡam.ba/ | feminine |
| zampa | /ˈd͡zam.pa/ /ˈt͡sam.pa/ |
feminine |
| coscia | /ˈkɔʃ.ʃa/ | feminine |
The primary word for the lower limb from the groin to the ankle is gamba.
Which one should you use?
While gamba refers to the entire leg, coscia refers specifically to the thigh. In a playful, colloquial context, you may hear someone refer to a person's leg as zampa.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some parts of Southern Italy, il coscio is used to refer to the leg.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of gamba is gambe. All three forms provided, gamba, zampa and coscia, are feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
Gamba is pronounced /ˈɡam.ba/. It has two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- Italian uses the phrase in gamba to describe someone who is capable, reliable or 'on the ball'.
- In a culinary context, zampone refers to a traditional stuffed pig's trotter, derived from the word zampa.
- The word gamba is a linguistic relative of the English word 'gam', an old nautical slang term for a leg.
Examples in context
- Si ferì la gamba.He hurt his leg.This sentence illustrates an injury to the gamba.Tatoeba #8432802 by Guybrush88, translation #7385324 by CH
- La gamba è rotta.The leg is broken.This sentence describes a broken gamba.Tatoeba #11252075 by Guybrush88, translation #6576502 by Eccles17
- Si ruppe la gamba.He broke his leg.This sentence describes the act of breaking a gamba.Tatoeba #11252082 by Guybrush88, translation #6782523 by Yougailes30
- Il medico ha esaminato la sua gamba ferita.The doctor examined his injured leg.
- Ho bisogno di fare esercizio per rafforzare le gambe.I need to exercise to strengthen my legs.
- 349 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chiara and Matteo are talking about a sports injury.
- ChiaraPerché cammini così lentamente, Matteo?Why are you walking so slowly, Matteo?
- MatteoHo un forte dolore alla gamba destra.I have a strong pain in my right leg.
- ChiaraTi sei fatto male ieri in palestra?Did you hurt yourself yesterday at the gym?
- MatteoSì, credo di aver sforzato la gamba.Yes, I think I strained my leg.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “leg” translations and entries gamba, zampa, coscia, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
