tacchino
/takˈki.no/masculine
The English word "turkey" (referring to the bird) is translated into Italian 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 |
In Italian, tacchino is used to refer to the bird in the genus Meleagris. When you are describing food that is made with or flavored with turkey, such as a sandwich or pasta, you use the preposition al followed by the noun, for example al tacchino.
Which one should you use?
Use tacchino to refer to the bird. If you want to refer to the country located at the intersection of Europe and Asia, use the proper noun Turchia.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine form tacchino is the standard term for the bird, while the feminine form tacchina is used specifically to refer to a female turkey.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has three syllables, with the stress on the second syllable: /takˈki.no/.
Did you know?
- The word gallinaccio can refer to a turkey, but in modern common usage, it more often refers to a vulture.
- The term pollo d’India literally translates to 'chicken from India', a name that reflects the historical mistake of assuming the bird originated in the East.
- The word tacchino may not just be a name, but an imitation of the bird's actual sound, created by combining an onomatopoeic root with a diminutive suffix.
Examples in context
- Ha mai mangiato del tacchino?Have you ever eaten turkey?This sentence is useful for asking if someone has ever eaten tacchino.Tatoeba #1169492 by Guybrush88, translation #69241 by CK
- Vuoi un sandwich al tacchino?Do you want a turkey sandwich?This sentence shows how to use the phrase al tacchino to describe a sandwich.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 acquistare del tacchino al supermercato.I would like to buy some turkey at the supermarket.
- 29 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Matteo and Giulia are visiting a small farm.
- MatteoGuarda quel tacchino, Giulia!Look at that turkey, Giulia!
- GiuliaÈ davvero enorme.It is truly huge.
- MatteoSembra quasi un mostro.It almost looks like a monster.
- GiuliaNon avvicinarti troppo, Matteo.Don't get too close, Matteo.
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.
