orso

bear

noun OHR-zoh Rare

Origin: Latin ursus

Also means

unsociable person

Usage Note

Orso is the word for the animal, but colloquially essere un orso means to be gruff, antisocial, or a loner — a person who avoids company. The feminine is orsa (l'Orsa Maggiore — the Great Bear / Ursa Major constellation). Note that orzo (with a z) means barley — a classic near-homophone trap for learners.

Examples

"L'orso dorme tutto l'inverno."

Natural Translation

The bear sleeps all winter.

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