vespa
/ˈvɛs.pa/feminine
The English word wasp is vespa in Italian.
vespa is a feminine noun used to refer to the insect known as a wasp. It is also the name of the famous Italian motor scooter.
Meaning: insect (noun)
Which one should you use?
While an ape is a bee, a vespa is a wasp.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of vespa is vespe.
How do you pronounce it?
{'ipa': '/ˈvɛs.pa/', 'syllables': 2, 'stressed_syllable': '1 of 2'}
Did you know?
- The iconic Italian motor scooter was named Vespa because the sound of its engine resembles the buzzing of a vespa and its narrow waist and wide rear mimic the insect's shape.
- Italians may use the phrase fare il vespaio to describe a situation that has become a 'hornet's nest' or a chaotic commotion of angry people.
- Because the word vespa is a feminine noun, the insect is grammatically female even if the specific specimen is male.
Examples in context
- Tom fu punto da una vespa.Tom got stung by a wasp.This sentence shows how to describe being stung by a vespa.Tatoeba #7033311 by Guybrush88, translation #7033279 by Hybrid
- L'ape produce miele. E la vespa?The bee produces honey. And the wasp?This sentence compares the production of honey by an ape to the vespa.Tatoeba #11862121 by Guybrush88, translation #7292067 by MessDjaaf
- Non penso che questa sia una vespa.I don't think this is a wasp.This sentence is useful for expressing doubt about whether an insect is a vespa.Tatoeba #3892541 by Guybrush88, translation #1872422 by Amastan
- Oh no, c'è un grosso calabrone nella mia stanza!Oh no, there's a big wasp in my room!
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Giulia and Francesco are sitting in a garden.
- GiuliaAttento, c'è una vespa sul tavolo.Watch out, there is a wasp on the table.
- FrancescoDov'è? Non la vedo.Where is it? I don't see it.
- GiuliaÈ proprio vicino al tuo bicchiere.It is right near your glass.
- FrancescoPer fortuna non mi ha punto.Luckily it didn't sting me.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “wasp” translations and entries vespa, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
