How to talk about your family in Italian
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Sign up for freeThis lesson will teach you some vocabulary concerning the family.
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Famiglia | Family |
---|---|
Genitori | Parents |
Padre | Father |
Madre | Mother |
Moglie | Wife |
Marito | Husband |
Figli | Children/Kids |
Figlio | Son |
Figlia | Daughter |
Fratello | Brother |
Sorella | Sister |
Gemelli | Twins |
Gemello (M) | Twin |
Nonni | Grandparents |
---|---|
Nonni | Grandparents |
Nonno | Grandfather |
Nonna | Grandmother |
Nipote (invariable) | Grandson/Granddaughter |
Bisnonno | Great-grandfather |
Bisnonna | Great-grandmother |
Avo | Ancestor |
To distinguish maternal and paternal grandparents, use the adjectives Materno and Paterno.
Remember these adjectives change according to gender and number!
Italian | English |
---|---|
Nonno paterno | Paternal grandfather |
Nonne materne | Maternal grandmothers |
Parenti | Relatives |
---|---|
Zio | Uncle |
Zia | Aunt |
Nipote (invariable) | Nephew |
Cugino (M) | Cousin |
Keep in mind some peculiarities.
The following words could be easily confused.
Remember: Parenti ≠ Parents
Parenti → Relatives
Parents → Genitori
The Italian language makes no distinctions when talking about nephews.
Nipote is used both for Nephew/Nice and Grandson/Granddaughter.
Suoceri | Parents-in-law |
---|---|
Suocero | Father-in-law |
Suocera | Mother-in-law |
Cognato | Brother-in-law |
Cognata | Sister-in-law |
Genero | Son-in-law |
Nuora | Daughter-in-law |
Famiglia acquista | Family-in-law |
---|---|
Patrigno | Stepfather |
Matrigna | Stepmother |
Fratellastro | Stepbrother |
Sorellastra | Stepsister |
Stato civile | Civil status |
---|---|
Single (Invariable) | Single |
Fidanzato (M) Fidanzata (F) | Taken/Engaged |
Sposato (M) | Married |
Divorziato (M) | Divorced |
Vedovo (M) | Widower |
Separato (M) | Separated |
The following expressions can be useful when talking about your family.
Italian | English |
---|---|
Nella mia famiglia siamo in (numero) | In my family we are in (number) |
Mio papà si chiama (nome) | My dad is called (name) |
Hai dei fratelli o sorelle? | Do you have any siblings? |
Lei è mia moglie. | She is my wife. |
I miei genitori sono separati. | My parents are separated. |
Check out the following short shory.
La famiglia Rossi (The Rossi's)
Mi chiamo Marco e ho 7 anni. (My name is Marco and I am 7 years old.)
Mio papà si chiama Luigi e mia mamma si chiama Anna. Sono sposati da 19 anni. (My dad is called Luigi and my mom is called Anna. They have been married for 19 years.)
Ho anche una sorella, Martina, e un fratello, Michele. (I also have a sister, Martina, and a brother, Michele.)
Martina è fidanzata con Andrea da 6 mesi e Michele è single. (Martina has been dating Andrea for 6 months, and Michele is single.)
Voglio molto bene ai miei nonni. (I really love my granparents.)
Mio nonno paterno si chiama Francesco, ed è vedovo. (My paternal grandfather is called Francesco and he is a widower.)
Mia nonna materna si chiama Alessandra e mio nonno materno Lorenzo. (My maternal grandmother is called Alessandra and my maternal grandfather is called Lorenzo.)
Ho solo un cugino, che si chiama Thomas. Andiamo molto d'accordo e giochiamo spesso insieme! (I have only one cousin, whose name is Thomas. We get along really well and play often together!)