How to Say "Mermaid" in Italian

sirena

/siˈrɛ.na/feminine

The Italian word for mermaid is sirena.

Sirena is a feminine noun used to describe a mythological woman with a fish’s tail.

Meaning: mythological woman with a fish’s tail (noun)

Which one should you use?

In Italian, sirena refers to both a mythological mermaid and a loud warning siren (like an ambulance or police siren).

The plural form of sirena is sirene.

The word has three syllables, with the stress on the second syllable. The IPA is /siˈrɛ.na/.

While sirena refers to the fish-tailed creature today, the original Greek creatures that inspired the word were half-bird and half-woman.
While we think of mermaids as magical, a contemporary Italian might use sirena to describe a woman who is a 'femme fatale' or an irresistible-but-dangerous beauty.
In Italian opera, a character described as having the 'voce di sirena' is someone whose singing voice is unnaturally enchanting or captivating.

Mary è una sirena.
Mary is a mermaid.
This sentence is useful for identifying someone as a sirena.
Tatoeba #10931899 by JeanM, translation #5995319 by Hybrid
I pescatori hanno preso una sirena.
The fisherman caught a mermaid.
This sentence is useful for describing the action of fishermen catching a sirena.
Tatoeba #10931906 by JeanM, translation #8734073 by 2001
La sirena si trasformò in schiuma.
The mermaid turned to foam.
This sentence is useful for describing a sirena turning into foam.
Tatoeba #13916578 by rul, translation #13739334 by rul
La sirena nuota elegantemente nel mare.
The mermaid swims gracefully in the sea.
La sirena delle leggende vive nel mare di Napoli.
The mermaid of legends lives in the waters of Naples.
1 more sentence on Tatoeba

Sofia and Alessandro are looking at a children's book about the sea.

Sofia

Guarda, Alessandro, c'è una sirena qui.
Look, Alessandro, there is a mermaid here.
Alessandro

È molto colorata, Sofia.
She is very colorful, Sofia.
Sofia

La sirena sembra molto felice.
The mermaid looks very happy.
Alessandro

Sì, vive in un mondo magico.
Yes, she lives in a magical world.

Sources

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