rosa canina
The English phrase "wild rose" is rosa canina in Italian.
This phrase refers to a species of rose that grows naturally in the wild.
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of rosa, which is the Italian word for "rose".
Did you know?
- The species name canina comes from the Latin word for 'dog', because the thorns of the wild rose are thought to resemble a dog's tooth.
- In Italian, the word rosa is a homonym with two completely different histories. One comes from the flower, while the other is the past participle of the verb 'rodere', meaning 'to gnaw'.
- The adjective canina can also be used metaphorically in Italian to describe something 'fierce' or 'dog-like' in its intensity, much like the sharp thorns of the plant.
Examples in context
- Mi piace osservare la rosa selvatica nei giardini botanici.I enjoy observing the wild rose in botanical gardens.
- Ho trovato una bellissima rosa selvaggia nel bosco oggi.I found a beautiful wild rose in the forest today.
- Ho trovato una rosa canina nel bosco.I found a wild rose in the woods.
- La rosa canina ha petali molto delicati.The wild rose has very delicate petals.
- Possiamo raccogliere i frutti della rosa canina.We can collect the fruits of the wild rose.
Example conversation
Francesco and Sofia are walking through a countryside path.
- FrancescoGuarda, Sofia, quella è una rosa canina.Look, Sofia, that is a wild rose.
- SofiaÈ bellissima, Francesco, ma ha le spine.It is beautiful, Francesco, but it has thorns.
- FrancescoHai ragione, meglio non toccarla troppo.You are right, better not to touch it too much.
- SofiaSì, ammiriamola solo da lontano.Yes, let's just admire it from afar.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries rosa, CC BY-SA 4.0.
