pirata
/piˈra.ta/masculine
The English word 'pirate' is translated into Italian as pirata. Wiktionary also lists bucaniere.
Meaning: one who plunders at sea (noun)
Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| pirata | /piˈra.ta/ | masculine |
| bucaniere | masculine |
The term refers to someone who plunders at sea. While pirata is the most common word for a pirate, other terms exist for specific historical or geographical contexts.
Which one should you use?
pirata is the general term for a pirate. In contrast, bucaniere specifically refers to the historical buccaneers of the Caribbean. If you are referring to a pirate who operated in the Mediterranean Sea, particularly during the Renaissance, the word corsaro is more appropriate.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
pirata is a masculine noun, but it is used for both masculine and feminine subjects. The plural form of pirata is pirati.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable: /piˈra.ta/.
Did you know?
- The word pirata shares its roots with the English word 'peril' and the Greek verb for 'to attempt' or 'to try'.
- In modern Italian, you might call someone a pirata if they are illegally downloading music or software, using the term for digital theft.
- While pirata is generic, the term corsaro refers to a privateer who had legal government permission to attack enemy ships.
Examples in context
- Tom è un pirata.Tom is a pirate.This sentence is useful for stating that Tom is a pirata.Tatoeba #6066361 by Guybrush88, translation #6066353 by Hybrid
- Lui è un pirata?Is he a pirate?This sentence is useful for asking if he is a pirata.Tatoeba #13995706 by Guybrush88, translation #12002110 by sundown
- Io sono un pirata.I'm a pirate.This sentence is useful for saying that I am a pirata.Tatoeba #13995708 by Guybrush88, translation #11022704 by CK
- Sto leggendo un libro sui pirati siciliani.I'm reading a book about Sicilian pirates.
- Sembri un vero pirata con quella bandana!You look like a real pirate with that bandana!
- Buon viaggio, compagno pirata! Che i venti ti accompagnino sempre.Fair winds, fellow pirate! May the winds always be at your back.
- 58 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chiara and Alessandro are looking at a costume shop window.
- ChiaraGuarda questo vestito da pirata!Look at this pirate costume!
- AlessandroÈ molto bello, lo compro.It's very nice, I'll buy it.
- ChiaraVuoi fare il pirata alla festa?Do you want to be the pirate at the party?
- AlessandroSì, sarà divertente, Alessandro sarà un pirata!Yes, it will be fun, Alessandro will be a pirate!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pirate” translations and entries pirata, bucaniere, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bucaniere, pirata, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
