panda rosso
/ˈpan.da ˈros.so/word by wordmasculine
The English phrase "red panda" is translated into Italian as panda rosso. If unsure, use panda rosso. Wiktionary also lists panda minore.
Meaning: Ailurus fulgens (noun)
Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| panda rosso | /ˈpan.da ˈros.so/ (word by word) | masculine |
| panda minore | /ˈpan.da miˈno.re/ (word by word) | masculine |
The term refers to the mammal *Ailurus fulgens*.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase panda rosso is a literal translation where rosso means "red".
Which one should you use?
panda rosso is the standard term, while panda minore is a more technical or scientific alternative, similar to the English "lesser panda".
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun panda is invariable in the plural. Only the adjective changes to indicate multiple animals, such as in panda rossi for "red pandas".
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ˈpan.da ˈros.so/. The word has 4 syllables and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- The word panda is believed to originate from the Tibetan phrase pho nya, which translates to 'bamboo eater'.
- Italian uses the same word panda for both the red and giant species, relying entirely on adjectives like rosso or gigante to tell them apart.
- The term panda minore mirrors the English 'lesser panda', reflecting a historical scientific classification that viewed the red panda as a smaller version of the giant panda.
Examples in context
- Mi piacerebbe vedere un panda fulvo durante il mio viaggio in Asia.I would love to see a red panda during my trip to Asia.
- L'altro giorno ho visto un panda rosso al giardino zoologico.The other day, I saw a red panda at the zoo.
- Il panda rosso è molto carino.The red panda is very cute.
- Ho visto un panda rosso allo zoo.I saw a red panda at the zoo.
- Il panda rosso vive nelle foreste.The red panda lives in the forests.
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at a nature book together.
- MatteoGuarda questo panda rosso, Chiara!Look at this red panda, Chiara!
- ChiaraÈ davvero bellissimo, Matteo.It is truly beautiful, Matteo.
- MatteoTi piacerebbe vederlo dal vivo?Would you like to see it in person?
- ChiaraSì, andiamo subito allo zoo!Yes, let's go to the zoo right now!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “red panda” translations and entries panda rosso, panda minore, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (panda, rosso, minore) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries minore, panda, panda minore, panda rosso, rosso, CC BY-SA 4.0.
