How to Say “Turkey” in Italian: A Helpful Guide for Italian Learners

The Italian word for “turkey” is “tacchino”. Knowing how to say basic food words like “turkey” is an important part of learning any new language. As you expand your Italian vocabulary, focus first on practical, everyday terms that you are likely to use frequently.

In this article, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to learn how to say “turkey” in Italian:

The Italian Word for Turkey

The most common Italian word for turkey is “il tacchino” (pronounced: eel tahk-KEE-noh). “Tacchino” is a masculine noun, so it requires the masculine article “il”.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Italian word: il tacchino
• Pronunciation: eel tahk-KEE-noh
• Gender: Masculine
• Meaning: turkey

Plural Form

To say “turkeys” in the plural form. use the plural masculine article “i”

• Italian phrase: i tacchini
• Pronunciation: ee tahk-KEE-nee
• Meaning: the turkeys

So if you wanted to say “I fed the turkeys” you would say

• Ho dato da mangiare ai tacchini

Alternative Regional Words

While “tacchino” is by far the most universally understood term in Italian, some regional dialects have alternate words for turkey:

• gallo d’India – used in parts of northern Italy
• pollo d’India – common in central Italy
• gallina d’India – heard in southern Italy

But these regional variations are less common than the standard “tacchino”, which can be understood throughout Italy.

Cognates in Other Romance Languages

Since Italian is a Romance language you’ll find some similar or identical turkey terms in other languages descended from Latin

• Spanish: el pavo
• Catalan: el gall dindi
• Portuguese: peru
• French: dinde
• Romanian: curcan

So if you already speak a Romance language, these cognates may help you remember “tacchino”.

Etymology: Where “Tacchino” Comes From

The word “tacchino” was first used in the 16th century to refer to the turkey fowl that was imported to Europe from the Americas in the early days of exploration and colonization.

“Tacchino” comes from the Italian “Tacco”, meaning the T-shaped heel of a shoe. This refers to the resemblance between a turkey’s wattle and a shoe heel.

Conversational Uses

Once you know the basic translation for turkey, you can start using it in everyday Italian conversations and while dining:

• “Vorrei mangiare il tacchino per il Giorno del Ringraziamento.” (I would like to eat turkey for Thanksgiving.)

• “Preferisco il tacchino arrosto al forno.” (I prefer roasted turkey.)

• “Il mio tacchino è troppo asciutto.” (My turkey is too dry.)

• “Avete del tacchino avanzato che posso usare per un sandwich?” (Do you have any leftover turkey I can use for a sandwich?)

A Handy Summary Table

Here’s a quick reference table summarizing how to say turkey in Italian:

Fun Ways to Remember “Tacchino”

When learning a new vocabulary word in any language, it helps to have little memory tricks to help cement it in your mind:

• Associate it with the “tack” shape of a turkey’s wattle
• Imagine a turkey with shoe heels instead of feet
• Picture a turkey dancing the tango (“tacco” sounds like “tango”)
• Link it to other “tacc” or “takk” words like attack, tacking, or takka-takka (a turkey sound)

Come up with your own silly visualizations or word associations to help you memorize that the Italian word for turkey is “tacchino”.

Listening Practice with Audio Clips

Hearing a new vocabulary word pronounced by native speakers is tremendously helpful for getting the right pronunciation.

You can find recordings of “tacchino” on Italian language learning sites and YouTube channels. Listen to the clips over and over until you can imitate that authentic Italian pronunciation.

Put It Into Practice

Of course, the best way to really learn “tacchino” is to start using it regularly in your own spoken and written Italian practice. Try incorporating it into some example sentences for writing practice or saying it out loud when you’re talking about poultry.

The more you actively use your new vocabulary, the faster you’ll commit it to memory. So get out there and start saying “tacchino”!