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“Gli Animali della Notte” — Night Animals Song in Italian for Kids

In “Gli Animali della Notte” (Night Animals), kids sing key Italian words like il gufo, il pipistrello, la lucciola and il grillo, going back and forth between English and Italian, so the meaning is never a mystery. It's a early-learner (A1) song from Unit 27: Bedtime Lullabies, 2:16 long, made for ages 2–8.

  • 🇮🇹 Italian
  • Level: A1
  • Unit 27 · Ninne Nanne
  • ⏱ 2:16
  • 🔒 Premium

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“Gli Animali della Notte” lyrics with English translation

Every line as it's sung, with its meaning beside it. Italian is shown in teal.

Song lyrics with translation. Italian lines are shown in teal.
SungMeaning
Who is awake? Chi è sveglio?
The owl, il gufo, softly says hello.
Il gufo, the owl, up in the tree,
“Buona notte, little one,” sings to me.
At night, di notte, the branches sway,
The bat, il pipistrello, flutters on its way.
Il pipistrello, the bat, flies gently by,
Then rests beneath the quiet sky.Poi riposa sotto il cielo quieto.
Very softly, piano piano,
La lucciola, the firefly, makes a tiny glow.
The firefly, la lucciola, floats slow and low,
Piano piano, time to go.
Who is awake? Chi è sveglio?
The cricket, il grillo, sings hello.
Il grillo, the cricket, chirps once more,
Then folds its song and sings no more.Poi chiude la sua canzone e non canta più.
The hedgehog, il riccio, snuffles near,
The fox, la volpe, curls up here.
La volpe, the fox, shuts sleepy eyes,
The little night is soft and kind.La piccola notte è dolce e gentile.
Very softly, piano piano,
La lucciola, the firefly, makes a tiny glow.
The firefly, la lucciola, floats slow and low,
Piano piano, time to go.
At night, di notte, all is still,
Who is awake? Chi è sveglio? No one will.
Everyone is sleeping, tutti dormono,
Tutti dormono, tutti dormono.Everyone is sleeping, everyone is sleeping.
Mmm… piano piano…Mmm… softly, softly…
Mmm… tutti dormono…Mmm… everyone is sleeping…
Mmm… buona notte…Mmm… good night…

Key Italian words in this song

The 10 words and phrases this song is built around.

ItalianEnglish
il gufothe owl
il pipistrellothe bat
la lucciolathe firefly
il grillothe cricket
il ricciothe hedgehog
la volpethe fox
chi è sveglio?who is awake?
tutti dormonoeveryone is sleeping
di notteat night
piano pianovery softly

How to use this song with your child

  1. 1

    Make “chi è sveglio” the word of the day

    This song repeats “chi è sveglio” (who is awake?) on 2 lines. Use it once or twice during the day outside the song, and let your child correct you if you get it wrong.

  2. 2

    Split the parts

    Once the song is familiar, you sing the English lines and your child sings the Italian ones, then swap. It turns listening into speaking.

  3. 3

    Make it a routine

    At 2:16, play it once a day at the same moment for a week. Close your eyes together when the song says so.

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