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batterio

bacterium

noun baht-TEH-ryoh Rare
Body & Health Health & Illness

Origin: From Greek baktērion ('small staff'), referring to rod-shaped organisms.

Usage Note

Batterio is the singular form; the plural batteri ('bacteria') is by far more common in everyday speech. Note the irregular plural: -io → -i (not -ii). In Italian batterio is always masculine: il batterio, i batteri. A common collocation is batteri nocivi/benefici ('harmful/beneficial bacteria'). Do not confuse with virus (m, invariable) or fungo ('fungus').

Examples

"Alcuni batteri sono utili per la digestione."

Natural Translation

Some bacteria are useful for digestion.

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