bambola di pezza
feminine
The English phrase "rag doll" can be translated into Italian as bambola di pezza. If unsure, use bambola di pezza. Wiktionary also lists bamboccio and pigotta.
Meaning: a doll made from cloth and rags (noun)
Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| bambola di pezza | feminine | |
| bamboccio | /bamˈbɔt.t͡ʃo/ | masculine |
| pigotta | Lombardy, feminine |
The term bambola di pezza refers to a literal toy made from cloth and rags.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase bambola di pezza is composed of bambola (doll) and di pezza (of cloth/rag).
Which one should you use?
While bambola di pezza refers to a literal toy made of cloth, bamboccio is often used metaphorically to describe a person who is a dummy, a puppet or a person of no substance.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the region of Lombardy, the term pigotta is used for a rag doll.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase bambola di pezza plural, you change the noun bambola to bambole, while the prepositional phrase di pezza remains unchanged.
Did you know?
- The term bambola is thought to be onomatopoeic, mimicking the sounds a child might make when calling out to a 'bambino'.
- The suffix '-occio' in bamboccio adds a dismissive or pejorative tone to the root word, which is why it refers to a dummy rather than a lovable toy.
Examples in context
- Mi piacerebbe regalare una bambola di pezza a mia nipote per il suo compleanno.I would like to give my niece a rag doll for her birthday.
- Guarda che bel pupazzetto di stoffa! L'ho fatto io per mia figlia.Look at this cute fabric doll! I made it for my daughter.
- Questa bambola di pezza è molto morbida.This rag doll is very soft.
- Ho comprato una bambola di pezza per la bambina.I bought a rag doll for the little girl.
- La bambola di pezza ha i capelli di lana.The rag doll has wool hair.
Example conversation
Giulia and Lorenzo are looking at a gift for a child.
- GiuliaGuarda questa bellissima bambola di pezza!Look at this beautiful rag doll!
- LorenzoSì, è molto carina, Giulia.Yes, it is very cute, Giulia.
- GiuliaPensi che piacerà alla nostra nipotina?Do you think our little niece will like it?
- LorenzoCertamente, è un regalo perfetto.Certainly, it is a perfect gift.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rag doll” translations and entries bambola di pezza, bamboccio, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bamboccio, bambola, di, pezza, CC BY-SA 4.0.
