guardiano dello zoo
masculine
The English word 'zookeeper' is guardiano dello zoo in Italian. Wiktionary also lists custode dello zoo.
Meaning: person employed at a zoo to attend to the animals (noun)
Ways to say it
| Italian | Note |
|---|---|
| guardiano dello zoo | masculine |
| custode dello zoo | masculine |
The term refers to a person employed at a zoo to attend to the animals.
What does it mean word for word?
guardiano dello zoo literally translates to 'guardian of the zoo'.
Which one should you use?
custode dello zoo is a valid alternative, but custode often carries a nuance of being a caretaker or keeper of a facility/property.
How does it change in a sentence?
To refer to a female zookeeper, change the masculine guardiano to the feminine guardiana. The plural form of guardiano dello zoo is guardiani dello zoo, which is used for a masculine or mixed group.
Did you know?
- The word custode used in custode dello zoo shares an ancient root with the English word 'hide', stemming from a Proto-Indo-European term meaning 'to cover or hide'.
- Italian uses the same word guardiano for a 'night watchman' or a 'security guard'. The specific addition of dello zoo is what transforms a general security role into a specialized animal care profession.
- In Italian, custode is often used for a 'janitor' or 'building superintendent' in apartment complexes. Calling a zookeeper a custode dello zoo can subtly imply they are managing the facility rather than the animals.
Examples in context
- Tom è un guardiano dello zoo.Tom is a zookeeper.This sentence demonstrates how to identify someone's profession using guardiano dello zoo.Tatoeba #7209977 by Guybrush88, translation #2724453 by Hybrid
- È come essere un guardiano dello zoo che fa da babysitter a quei bambini: hanno due cani, cinque lucertole, una tartaruga, avevano due capre svenute ma le hanno vendute o sono morte o qualcosa del genere, e i bambini sono come tre porcellini che si rincorrono e strillano.It's like being a zookeeper babysitting those kids — they have two dogs, like five lizards, a turtle, they used to have two fainting goats but they sold them or they died or something — and the kids are like three little pigs chasing each other around and squealing.This sentence uses guardiano dello zoo in a metaphorical comparison involving many animals and children.Tatoeba #12763920 by Guybrush88, translation #8981652 by earthsophagus
- Ieri ho parlato con il guardiano dello zoo per saperne di più sulle tigri.Yesterday, I spoke with the zookeeper to learn more about the tigers.
- Il responsabile del parco zoologico sta organizzando una conferenza sugli elefanti.The zookeeper is organizing a conference about elephants.
- Ho avuto una bella conversazione con il custode dello zoo sulle scimmie.I had a nice conversation with the zookeeper about the monkeys.
- Gli addetti alla cura degli animali sono molto gentili e competenti.The animal caretakers are very kind and competent.
Example conversation
Giulia and Matteo are talking about work at a café.
- GiuliaChe lavoro fa tuo fratello?What is your brother's job?
- MatteoLui è un guardiano dello zoo.He is a zookeeper.
- GiuliaDeve prendersi cura di molti animali?Does he have to take care of many animals?
- MatteoSì, è un lavoro molto impegnativo.Yes, it is a very demanding job.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “zookeeper” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries custode, guardiano, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
