Meaning
cage
- coop, hutch
- prison, trap (figurative)
In a sentence
Il coniglio dorme nella gabbia in giardino.
The rabbit sleeps in the hutch in the yard.
Hai messo il cane nella gabbia?
Did you put the dog in the crate?
Non trovo la gabbia per il gatto.
I can't find the cat carrier.
Word forms (2)
| Word | Word forms |
|---|---|
| gabbia | feminine · singular |
| gabbie | feminine · plural |
Usage notes
- Use gabbia for animal cages or barred enclosures; recinto is broader for fenced areas, and cuccia is specifically a doghouse.
- In sports, gabbia can mean the goal frame or net area, especially in journalism: centrare la gabbia = hit the target.
- Figuratively, sentirsi in gabbia means feeling trapped or confined; it is common and neutral in everyday speech.