pisello
/piˈzɛl.lo/masculine
The English word "pea" is pisello in Italian.
pisello refers to the edible seed. However, in a colloquial or vulgar context, pisello is also a common slang term for a penis.
Meaning: edible seed (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of pisello is piselli (peas).
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /piˈzɛl.lo/. It has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- The anatomical slang use of pisello is so ingrained that the word is often used in children's euphemisms to avoid more graphic terminology.
- The term pisello is a diminutive form, meaning it literally translates to something like 'little pea'.
- While pisello is used for the seed, the phrase piselli schiacciati refers to a traditional style of mashed peas that is a staple of regional Italian home cooking.
Examples in context
- C'è un pisello nella mia narice destra.There's a pea in my right nostril.This sentence shows how to use pisello to describe an object in a nostril.Tatoeba #3544127 by Guybrush88, translation #27073 by katix824
- Si comporta sempre come una principessa sul pisello.She always acts like the princess and the pea.This sentence uses pisello in the context of the fairy tale title.Tatoeba #13918699 by Nuel, translation #13918698 by Nuel
- All'ombra della torre pendente di Pisa siede il cantore della città, mangiando un piatto di zuppa di piselli. Dopodiché egli racconterà ai bambini la fiaba "La principessa sul pisello".In the shadow of the Leaning Tower of Pisa sits the town storyteller, eating a bowl of pea soup. After that he tells some children the fairy tale "The Princess and the Pea".These sentences show the use of pisello in the context of pea soup and the fairy tale "La principessa sul pisello".Tatoeba #2176933 by Manfredo, translation #2176938 by Manfredo
- Mi piace il sapore dolce dei piselli.I like the sweet taste of peas.
- Ho preparato una zuppa con i pisellini freschi.I made a soup with fresh peas.
Example conversation
Martina and Alessandro are preparing dinner in the kitchen.
- MartinaTi piace il pisello nel riso?Do you like peas in the rice?
- AlessandroSì, mi piace molto.Yes, I like it very much.
- MartinaAllora aggiungo ogni pisello nel piatto.Then I will add every pea to the plate.
- AlessandroGrazie, Martina, è perfetto.Thanks, Martina, it is perfect.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pea” translations and entries pisello, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pisello, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
