Meaning
monkey, ape
- imitator, copycat
- craving, obsession; (drug) withdrawal (slang)
In a sentence
La scimmia allo zoo mangia una banana.
The monkey at the zoo is eating a banana.
Sei sempre la solita scimmia, copi tutti.
You're always the same copycat, you imitate everyone.
La scimmia salta agilmente da un albero all'altro.
The monkey jumps nimbly from one tree to another.
Word forms (2)
| Word | Word forms |
|---|---|
| scimmia | feminine · singular |
| scimmie | feminine · plural |
Usage notes
- For the animal, scimmia is the normal everyday word; primate is scientific/formal, and scimmione often sounds playful or insulting.
- Avere la scimmia means craving or obsession, especially for drugs. It is slang and often stronger than simple voglia.
- Fare la scimmia means copying someone mockingly or acting like a mimic; it is informal and can sound childish or insulting.