gufo
/ˈɡu.fo/masculine
The Italian word for owl is gufo. Wiktionary also lists civetta.
Meaning: bird (noun)
Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| gufo | /ˈɡu.fo/ | masculine |
| civetta | /t͡ʃiˈvet.ta/ | feminine |
Both gufo and civetta are used to refer to owls, but they are typically used for different types of birds.
Which one should you use?
civetta typically refers to smaller owl species, such as the little owl.
How does it change in a sentence?
gufo is a masculine noun, while civetta is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈɡu.fo/. It has two syllables, and the stress is on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- In Italian culture, a gufo is often seen as a bringer of bad luck or a jinx. Someone who brings misfortune or pesters others with negativity can be called a gufo.
- While gufo often implies bad luck, the word civetta can describe a flirtatious or coquettish person. Calling someone a civetta suggests they are trying to attract romantic attention.
- The word civetta did not originate from Latin, but was borrowed from the French word chouette.
Examples in context
- Tom è un gufo.Tom is an owl.This sentence shows how to identify someone as a gufo.Tatoeba #10145154 by Guybrush88, translation #10143629 by ddnktr
- Non sono un gufo!I am not an owl!This sentence is a negation using gufo.Tatoeba #4267991 by Guybrush88, translation #3138583 by Clic
- Io non sono un gufo!I'm not an owl!This sentence is another way to negate the use of gufo.Tatoeba #4267992 by Guybrush88, translation #3138584 by Clic
- Ho visto un gufo nel bosco ieri sera.I saw an owl in the woods last night.
- La civetta è un animale notturno.The owl is a nocturnal animal.
- Oggi ho avvistato un barbagianni sul tetto del mio vicino.Today, I spotted a barn owl on my neighbor's roof.
- Guarda che carino il civettino nel parco!Look at how cute the little owl in the park is!
- I gufi sono uccelli notturni molto affascinanti.Owls are fascinating nocturnal birds.
- 35 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofia and Lorenzo are walking in a park at night.
- SofiaGuarda quel gufo su quell'albero!Look at that owl on that tree!
- LorenzoSì, è un gufo molto grande.Yes, it is a very large owl.
- SofiaÈ bellissimo, Lorenzo.It is beautiful, Lorenzo.
- LorenzoHai ragione, è un animale maestoso.You are right, it is a majestic animal.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “owl” translations and entries gufo, civetta, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries civetta, gufo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
