ma che carino
/ma ˈke kaˈri.no/word by word
The English exclamation "aww" can be expressed in Italian as ma che carino.
This phrase is an exclamation used to express that something is cute or endearing.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "but how cute", where ma means "but", che means "how" and carino means "cute".
Which one should you use?
While ma che carino is used for endearment, you would use ma che brutto if you wanted to express "how ugly" or "how bad".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Rome, one might say Che pacioccone! to mean "How cute!"
How does it change in a sentence?
The form changes depending on the gender and number of what you are describing. If the cute thing being referred to is feminine, use ma che carina instead of ma che carino. If the cute things being referred to are plural, use ma che carini for masculine or mixed groups or ma che carine for feminine groups.
How do you pronounce it?
/ma ˈke kaˈri.no/ (4 syllables, second syllable is stressed)
Did you know?
- In some Italian contexts, calling a grown man carino can be perceived as patronizing or belittling rather than a genuine compliment.
- In a more sarcastic sense, if someone says Ma che carino! with a flat tone, they might actually be mocking someone for being silly or behaving like a child.
- Italian uses the suffix -ino in carino to create a 'diminutive', a linguistic tool used constantly in Italian to express affection or smallness across thousands of different words.
Examples in context
- Ho visto una nonnina che dava da mangiare ai piccioni. Che tenerezza!I saw an old lady feeding the pigeons. How sweet!
- Hai visto quel bambino che abbracciava il suo peluche? Che carino!Did you see that child hugging their stuffed animal? How cute!
- I miei nonni festeggiano 50 anni di matrimonio. Che dolcezza!My grandparents are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. How sweet!
- Mi hai preparato la mia torta preferita? Che bello!You made my favorite cake for me? How nice!
- La tua cagnolina ha portato la palla da gioco? Che carino!Your little dog brought the toy ball? How cute!
- Ma che carino questo gattino!Aww, this kitten is so cute!
- Guarda il cane, ma che carino.Look at the dog, aww, how cute.
- Ma che carino questo regalo!Aww, this gift is so sweet!
Example conversation
Giulia and Lorenzo are looking at a photo of a puppy on a phone.
- GiuliaGuarda questa foto del cucciolo!Look at this photo of the puppy!
- LorenzoMa che carino, è bellissimo.Aww, he is so cute, he's beautiful.
- GiuliaVero? Ha degli occhi dolcissimi.Right? He has such sweet eyes.
- LorenzoSì, mi fa quasi piangere.Yes, it almost makes me cry.
