leggenda
/ledˈd͡ʒɛn.da/
The English word legend can be translated into Italian as leggenda.
In Italian, leggenda is the specific term used to refer to a map's key or the legend that explains symbols and color codes.
Meaning: key to the symbols and color codes on a map (noun)
Which one should you use?
While leggenda can mean a mythical story, it is the specific term used for a map's key or legend in Italian. If you are referring to a formal myth or a legendary story, the term mito may be used instead.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of leggenda is leggende.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable: /ledˈdʒɛn.da/.
Did you know?
- The word leggenda is built upon the Latin root legō, which is the same ancestor for the English word 'lectern', the stand used for reading.
- In Italian, the word leggenda was historically tied to 'hagiographies', which were the written biographies of saints intended to be read aloud during church feasts.
- Calling a person a leggenda in Italian carries a more grand and literary weight than the casual English slang use of calling someone 'a legend'.
Examples in context
- Tom è una leggenda.Tom is a legend.This sentence is useful for saying that someone is a legend using leggenda.Tatoeba #6998355 by Guybrush88, translation #1414972 by Spamster
- È una vera leggenda.He's a true legend.This sentence is useful for saying someone is a true legend using leggenda.Tatoeba #1226622 by Guybrush88, translation #1226604 by CM
- È una leggenda locale.It's a local legend.This sentence is useful for describing a local legend using leggenda.Tatoeba #4588919 by Guybrush88, translation #3536213 by Hybrid
- La storia di Re Artù è una leggenda famosa.The story of King Arthur is a famous legend.
- Il mito di Ulisse è uno dei più celebri dell'antica Grecia.The legend of Ulysses is one of the most famous in ancient Greece.
- Maradona è una leggenda del passato nel calcio.Maradona is a legend of the past in football.
- Cleopatra è una delle più famose leggende femminili della storia.Cleopatra is one of the most famous female legends in history.
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lorenzo and Chiara are hiking and looking at a paper map.
- LorenzoChiara, non capisco questo simbolo.Chiara, I don't understand this symbol.
- ChiaraGuarda la leggenda in fondo alla pagina.Look at the legend at the bottom of the page.
- LorenzoAh, la leggenda dice che è un rifugio.Ah, the legend says it is a mountain hut.
- ChiaraPerfetto, allora andiamo verso il rifugio.Perfect, let's head towards the hut.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry leggenda, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries leggenda, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
