pappagallo
/pap.paˈɡal.lo/masculine
The Italian word for parrot is pappagallo.
pappagallo refers to the kind of bird known as a parrot. Metaphorically, it is also used to describe a person who repeats things mechanically without understanding them, similar to the English use of the word 'parrot'.
Meaning: kind of bird (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Sicilian, the term for parrot is Pappagaddu.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of pappagallo is pappagalli.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 4 syllables, with the stress on the 3rd syllable: /pap.paˈɡal.lo/.
Did you know?
- The word pappagallo is frequently used in Italian idioms to describe someone who is dressed in overly bright or clashing colors.
- The English word 'popinjay', which refers to a vain person, actually shares the same distant linguistic ancestor as the Italian pappagallo.
- Because parrots are associated with talking, the word pappagallo is often linked to the idea of indiscretion or leaking secrets in colloquial speech.
Examples in context
- Ziri ha un pappagallo.Ziri has a parrot.This sentence shows how to express that someone possesses a pappagallo.Tatoeba #13294420 by Guybrush88, translation #10208139 by Amastan
- È un pappagallo morto.It's a dead parrot.This sentence is useful for describing a pappagallo that is dead.Tatoeba #13294448 by Guybrush88, translation #8678022 by ajje
- Quello è un pappagallo?Is that a parrot?This sentence is useful for asking if a specific bird is a pappagallo.Tatoeba #13294425 by Guybrush88, translation #8983415 by CK
- Ieri ho visto un bellissimo pappagallo al parco.Yesterday, I saw a beautiful parrot at the park.
- Mio nipote ha ricevuto un pappagallino in regalo per il suo compleanno.My nephew received a little parrot as a gift for his birthday.
- 122 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alessandro and Chiara are at a pet shop.
- AlessandroGuarda quel bellissimo pappagallo!Look at that beautiful parrot!
- ChiaraSì, è molto colorato.Yes, it is very colorful.
- AlessandroVuoi comprare un pappagallo?Do you want to buy a parrot?
- ChiaraNo, non ne voglio uno.No, I don't want one.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “parrot” translations and entries pappagallo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pappagallo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
