pisello
/piˈzɛl.lo/masculine
In Italian, the English word 'willy' can be translated as pisello. Wiktionary also lists pisellino.
Meaning: The penis (noun)
Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| pisello | /piˈzɛl.lo/ | masculine |
| pisellino | masculine |
The term is used as slang for the penis.
What does it mean word for word?
The word pisello literally means 'pea'.
Which one should you use?
The form pisellino translates to 'little willy' and is used to sound more childish or less aggressive than the standard slang pisello.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
pisello is considered vulgar slang. Guglielmo is the closest formal equivalent to Willy in Italian.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Southern Italy, such as Naples, Lillo is a common nickname for Guglielmo and a possible informal variation of Willy.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural of the slang term pisello is piselli.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /piˈzɛl.lo/. It has 3 syllables, and the stress is on the 2nd of 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- Because pisello literally means 'pea', using it in a culinary context can occasionally lead to humorous double entendres in Italian jokes.
- The word pisello derives from the Ancient Greek word πίσον, which refers to the same legume known in English as a 'pea'.
- The term pisellino uses the suffix -ino to soften the word, a common Italian linguistic tool used to make potentially offensive or scary things sound cute.
Examples in context
- Ha un pisello enorme.He has a huge willy.
- Non mi importa del suo pisello.I don't care about his willy.
- Quel pisello è troppo piccolo.That willy is too small.
Example conversation
Chiara and Lorenzo are joking around in a bedroom.
- ChiaraMa guarda che pisello!But look at that willy!
- LorenzoTi piace, vero Chiara?You like it, right Chiara?
- ChiaraSì, è molto bello.Yes, it is very beautiful.
- LorenzoLo so, Lorenzo è il migliore.I know, Lorenzo is the best.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “willy” translations and entries pisello, pisellino, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pisellino, pisello, CC BY-SA 4.0.
