Pozzanghera vs. pozza
The Italian words 'pozzanghera' and 'pozza' both refer to puddles, but they have subtle differences in usage and connotation.
Pozzanghera
'Pozzanghera' typically refers to a larger, often dirty or muddy puddle, usually found on streets or paths after rain.
Dopo il temporale, la strada era piena di pozzanghere.
(After the storm, the street was full of puddles.)
Il bambino ha saltato in una grande pozzanghera, sporcandosi i pantaloni.
(The child jumped into a big puddle, getting his pants dirty.)
Pozza
'Pozza' generally indicates a smaller, more natural accumulation of water, often found in nature or in more controlled settings.
Nel bosco abbiamo trovato una pozza d'acqua cristallina.
(In the woods, we found a pool of crystal-clear water.)
I pesci nuotavano in una piccola pozza nel giardino.
(The fish were swimming in a small pond in the garden.)
Summary
While both 'pozzanghera' and 'pozza' refer to puddles, 'pozzanghera' is often used for larger, muddier puddles in urban settings, while 'pozza' typically describes smaller, cleaner pools of water in natural or controlled environments.