What is 'bee-eater' in Italian?

Answer 1

Gruccione is an Italian equivalent of 'bee eater'. The masculine gender noun is pronounced 'grooch-CHYOH-nay'. That's one of a number of common names for the bird, throughout the Italian peninsula and the islands. But no matter the local and regional variations, the scientific name always stays the same, as 'Merops apiaster'.

Answer 2

"Ape mellifera" is an Italian equivalent of "honey bee" (Apis mellifera).

The feminine noun "ape" means "bee." Its singular definite article is "l"* ("the"), and its singular indefinite article "una" ("a, one"). The feminine adjective "mellifera" means "honey-producing, relating to honey."

The pronunciation is "AH-peh mehl-LEE-feh-rah."

*The feminine singular definite article actually is "la." But the vowel "a" in "la" drops before a noun that begins with a vowel. The temporary nature of that drop is indicated by an apostrophe.

Answer 3

Gruccione d'Europa is an Italian equivalent of 'European bee eater'. The masculine gender noun 'gruccione' is pronounced 'grooch-CHYOH-nay', and means 'bee eater'. The preposition 'di'* means 'of''. The feminine gender proper noun 'Europa' is pronounced 'ay-oo-ROH-pah', and means 'Europe'.

*The vowel 'i' tends to drop before a following word that begins with a vowel. The temporary dropping of the letter is indicated by an apostrophe.