alunno

pupil; schoolchild

noun ah-LOON-noh Rare

Origin: From Latin 'alumnus' (nursling, foster child), from 'alere' (to nourish).

Usage Note

Alunno refers specifically to a student in primary or secondary school, not university (use studente for higher education). The feminine form is alunna. In formal school records and official documents alunno is preferred over the near-synonym scolaro. Note that the English 'alumnus' shares the same Latin root but means a university graduate — a false cognate in context.

Examples

"Gli alunni ascoltano la maestra."

Natural Translation

The pupils listen to the teacher.

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