polpo
/ˈpol.po/masculine
The Italian word for octopus is polpo. Wiktionary also lists piovra and ottopode.
Meaning: mollusc (noun)
Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| polpo | /ˈpol.po/ | masculine |
| piovra | /ˈpjɔ.vra/ | feminine |
| ottopode | masculine |
The word polpo refers to the animal in a biological or culinary context. For instance, if you are looking at a menu in an Italian restaurant, you will almost always see polpo used to describe the dish.
Which one should you use?
There are two main ways to refer to an octopus depending on the context. Use polpo when discussing the animal biologically or in a culinary sense. In contrast, use piovra when referring to a powerful, grasping entity or a criminal organization in a metaphorical sense.
How does it change in a sentence?
polpo is a masculine noun, while piovra is a feminine noun. The term ottopode is also a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈpol.po/ (two syllables. The stress is on the first syllable)
Did you know?
- In Italian, the word polpo is completely unrelated to the word polpa, which means 'pulp' or 'flesh'.
- The word 'piovra' entered the Italian language via a French intermediary, specifically the French word 'pieuvre'.
- Although ottopode is a correct term for octopus, it is used almost exclusively in scientific texts and is virtually never used in daily conversation.
Examples in context
- Il polpo Paul aveva ragione.Octopus Paul was right.This sentence uses polpo to identify a character.Tatoeba #448362 by Pharamp, translation #446074 by MUIRIEL
- Non ho mai mangiato un polpo vivo.I've never eaten a live octopus.This sentence uses polpo in the context of eating the animal.Tatoeba #5546708 by Guybrush88, translation #953922 by CK
- Un polpo spruzza dell'inchiostro quand'è spaventato.An octopus inks away when in fright.This sentence uses polpo to describe a biological behavior.Tatoeba #3379864 by Guybrush88, translation #1126659 by jamessilver
- Mi piacerebbe assaggiare una polpetta di polpo!I would love to taste an octopus meatball!
- Nel sud Italia, si mangia spesso il moscardino.In southern Italy, people often eat small octopus.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alessandro and Giulia are looking at a seafood menu in a restaurant.
- AlessandroC'è un piatto con il polpo?Is there a dish with octopus?
- GiuliaSì, il polpo è molto fresco oggi.Yes, the octopus is very fresh today.
- AlessandroLo prendo allora.I will have it then.
- GiuliaOttima scelta, Alessandro.Great choice, Alessandro.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “octopus” translations and entries polpo, piovra, ottopode, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries piovra, polpo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
