zampe
The English phrase "paws" is translated into Italian as zampe.
The term zampe is used to refer to both the paws and the legs of animals such as dogs, cats or bears.
Which one should you use?
While zampe is the standard term, you may encounter diminutive forms. Zampette is a diminutive used affectionately to refer to small paws or when speaking to animals. Zampine is an informal variation used among friends or when addressing pets to convey playfulness and affection.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form of the word is zampa.
Did you know?
- The phrase mettere le zampe in mezzo means to meddle or interfere in a situation where one is not wanted.
- The expression zampa di gallina literally means 'chicken paw' and is the standard way to describe a shaky or illegible handwriting style.
- In Italian, if you say a person is 'a man with big paws', you might be saying they have large, heavy hands or even a clumsy way of moving. The word zampa can metaphorically describe a person's extremities.
Examples in context
- Un cane ha quattro zampe.A dog has four paws.This sentence is useful for stating how many zampe a dog has.Tatoeba #377220 by Pharamp, translation #6392737 by Vieroe
- Il mio cane ha grandi zampe.My dog has large paws.This sentence is useful for describing the size of a dog's zampe.Tatoeba #11290035 by Guybrush88, translation #2701060 by WestofEden
- Il tuo cane ha delle zampe enormi!Your dog has huge paws!This sentence is useful for expressing surprise at the size of a dog's zampe.Tatoeba #1350766 by Guybrush88, translation #1350755 by Kvantumo
- Le zampe del gatto sono morbide e caldeThe cat's paws are soft and warm.
- Vieni, cagnolino! Dammi le tue zampette!Come here, little dog! Give me your paws!
- Dai, gattino, fammi vedere le tue zampine!Come on, little kitty, let me see your paws!
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Martina and Francesco are looking at a cat's photo.
- MartinaGuarda che belle zampe!Look what beautiful paws!
- FrancescoSì, sono molto soffici.Yes, they are very soft.
- MartinaIl gatto ha le zampe rosa.The cat has pink paws.
- FrancescoÈ davvero adorabile.He is truly adorable.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
