Italian · Nature, Animals & Weather

"Ant" in Italian: formica

la formica

Say it: lah for-MEE-kahfeminine · la formicanoun/forˈmi.ka/

Ant in Italian is la formica (lah for-MEE-kah), feminine: una formica, due formiche. A line of ants is una fila di formiche.

Kitchen counter

C'è una formica vicino allo zucchero.
There's an ant near the sugar.
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How to pronounce formica

Say it

lah for-MEE-kah

/forˈmi.ka/

Formica stresses MEE: for-MEE-kah. Plural formiche is for-MEE-keh.

"Ant" in Italian: quick reference

ItalianEnglish
la formicathe ant

Default noun.

una formicaan ant

Spotting one.

le formichethe ants

Plural.

formicaioanthill

Related nest word.

How to use formica in real life

  1. 1Kitchen counter

    C'è una formica vicino allo zucchero.

    There's an ant near the sugar.

    Una formica for one.

  2. 2Picnic blanket

    Le formiche hanno trovato i biscotti.

    The ants found the cookies.

    Le formiche plural.

  3. 3Kids outdoors

    Non schiacciare la formica: lasciala passare.

    Don't crush the ant: let it pass.

    La formica when pointing.

Mistakes English speakers make with formica

Incorrect: Il formica è sul pane.

Correct: La formica è sul pane.

Formica is feminine: la formica.

Incorrect: Ci sono tanti ant in cucina.

Correct: Ci sono tante formiche in cucina.

Use formiche, not English ant.

Good to know

Formiche show up in sayings about hard work. In summer kitchens, sealing jam and wiping crumbs is the real anti-formica strategy.

Try it in a ChatPal conversation

A picnic invaded by ants

  1. ChatPal

    Guarda quella fila di formiche!

    Look at that line of ants!

  2. You

    Spostiamo la torta prima che arrivi ogni formica del parco.

    Let's move the cake before every ant in the park arrives.

  3. ChatPal

    Troppo tardi: una formica è già sul tovagliolo.

    Too late: an ant is already on the napkin.

  4. You

    Ok, mangiamo in piedi vicino al tavolo.

    Ok, we'll eat standing by the table.

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"Ant" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "Ant" in Italian

What is the plural of formica?

Le formiche.

Is formica feminine?

Yes: la formica, una formica.

How do I say anthill?

Un formicaio.

Is formica related to Formica plastic?

Same Latin root historically, but in Italian formica means the insect.

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