panda
/ˈpan.da/
The English phrase "panda bear" is translated into Italian as panda.
panda refers to the large bear with black and white fur that eats bamboo.
Which one should you use?
While panda is the most common way to refer to the animal, orso panda is a literal translation of "panda bear" used specifically to specify the animal type.
How does it change in a sentence?
panda is a masculine noun. When referring to the animal, you use the article il panda for the singular. Because it is an invariable noun, the plural form is i panda.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 2 syllables, with the stress on the first syllable: /ˈpan.da/.
Did you know?
- In Italy, Panda is also one of the most iconic and best-selling car models produced by FIAT, making the word as likely to refer to a small city car as to the animal.
- The term panda likely traces its roots back to a regional Tibetan word, pho nya, which was passed through French into Italian.
- Because panda is a loanword from another language, it is an invariable noun in Italian. This means you do not add an 'i' to make it plural, but instead only change the article to i panda.
Examples in context
- Lo zoo di Roma ospita diversi esemplari di orso panda. Sono molto affascinanti!Rome's zoo hosts several specimens of panda bears. They are very fascinating!
- Il panda mangia molto bambù.The panda eats a lot of bamboo.
- Ho visto un panda allo zoo.I saw a panda at the zoo.
- Il panda è un animale molto carino.The panda is a very cute animal.
Example conversation
Matteo and Giulia are at the zoo looking at animals.
- MatteoGuarda, Giulia, c'è un panda!Look, Giulia, there is a panda!
- GiuliaÈ bellissimo, Matteo.It is beautiful, Matteo.
- MatteoSta dormendo sotto l'albero.It is sleeping under the tree.
- GiuliaChe strano, è davvero pigro.How strange, it is really lazy.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry panda, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries panda, CC BY-SA 4.0.
