serpente
/serˈpɛn.te/masculine
The English word 'serpent' is translated into Italian as serpente. Wiktionary also lists serpe.
Meaning: snake (noun)
Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| serpente | /serˈpɛn.te/ | masculine |
| serpe | /ˈsɛr.pe/ | feminine |
The term refers to a snake.
Which one should you use?
While serpente is the standard masculine noun for snake, serpe is a feminine form used primarily in literary, poetic or archaic contexts.
Is it said differently in some regions?
serpe is considered a regional form.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of the standard masculine serpente is serpenti. The plural form of the literary feminine serpe is serpi.
How do you pronounce it?
serpente is pronounced /serˈpɛn.te/. It has three syllables, with the stress on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- In Italian culture, the phrase lingua di serpente describes someone who speaks maliciously or spreads poisonous gossip.
- The word serpente shares a root with the English word 'creep' through the Proto-Indo-European root *serp-, which meant to crawl.
- The feminine form serpe is often used in Italian opera and classical poetry to evoke a more sinister or mythological atmosphere than the common serpente.
Examples in context
- Il sagace serpente disse allo sciocco unicorno cosa fare.The sagacious serpent told the silly unicorn what to do.This sentence uses serpente to describe a sagacious serpent speaking to a unicorn.Tatoeba #10817659 by WM3DAS, translation #2652718 by KoreanBeaver
- Aveva la testa di donna, il corpo di leone, le ali di uccello, e la coda di serpente.It had the head of a woman, the body of a lion, the wings of a bird, and the tail of a serpent.This sentence uses serpente to describe a creature with a serpent tail.Tatoeba #668142 by rado, translation #42321 by CM
- È il serpente che ha tentato Eva.It's the serpent who tempted Eve.This sentence uses serpente to refer to the serpent that tempted Eve.Tatoeba #813974 by shoras, translation #497937 by FeuDRenais
- Il giardino è infestato da un serpente.The garden is infested with a serpent.
- Alcuni ofidi sono velenosi.Some serpents are venomous.
- Quella persona è una vera serpe.That person is a real snake.
Example conversation
Alessandro and Giulia are walking in the countryside.
- AlessandroGuarda, Giulia! C'è un serpente nell'erba.Look, Giulia! There is a snake in the grass.
- GiuliaOddio, è pericoloso? Allontaniamoci subito.Oh my god, is it dangerous? Let's move away immediately.
- AlessandroPenso che questo serpente sia innocuo.I think this snake is harmless.
- GiuliaNon importa, non voglio stare vicino a lui.It doesn't matter, I don't want to be near it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “serpent” translations and entries serpente, serpe, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries serpe, serpente, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
