tacchino
/takˈki.no/masculine
In Italian, the English word turkey (referring to the bird) is translated as tacchino. Wiktionary also lists tacchina and gallinaccio.
Meaning: bird in the genus Meleagris (noun)
Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| tacchino | /takˈki.no/ | masculine |
| tacchina | /takˈki.na/ | feminine |
| gallinaccio | /ɡal.liˈnat.t͡ʃo/ | masculine |
| pollo d’India | masculine |
When you are speaking in a culinary context, such as referring to turkey as food or meat, you should use the masculine noun tacchino.
Which one should you use?
tacchino is the general masculine form, while tacchina is used specifically when referring to a female turkey. Use Turchia to refer to the country, whereas tacchino refers to the bird.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The feminine form tacchina is used specifically when referring to a female turkey.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the second syllable: /takˈki.no/.
Did you know?
- While tacchino is the standard term, the phrase pollo d'India literally translates to 'chicken of India'.
- While Americans associate turkey with Thanksgiving, Italians traditionally eat tacchino during the Christmas period in some regions.
- The word tacchino might be onomatopoeic, thought to mimic the specific sound the bird makes.
Examples in context
- Ha mai mangiato del tacchino?Have you ever eaten turkey?This sentence is useful for asking if someone has eaten tacchino.Tatoeba #1169492 by Guybrush88, translation #69241 by CK
- Vuoi un sandwich al tacchino?Do you want a turkey sandwich?This sentence is useful for offering a sandwich containing tacchino.Tatoeba #2920971 by Guybrush88, translation #2013863 by CK
- Ha cucinato un tacchino prima?Have you cooked a turkey before?This sentence is useful for asking if someone has cooked tacchino before.Tatoeba #12256141 by Guybrush88, translation #12246624 by CK
- Vorrei visitare la Turchia quest'estate.I would like to visit Turkey this summer.
- 29 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Francesco and Chiara are looking at a farm from a fence.
- FrancescoGuarda quel tacchino, Chiara!Look at that turkey, Chiara!
- ChiaraÈ davvero molto grande.It is really very big.
- FrancescoSembra un tacchino molto forte.It looks like a very strong turkey.
- ChiaraSì, è impressionante.Yes, it is impressive.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “turkey” translations and entries tacchino, tacchina, gallinaccio, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gallinaccio, pollo, tacchino, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
