Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| bambino | /bamˈbi.no/ | masculine |
| fanciullo | /fanˈt͡ʃul.lo/ | |
| bambina | /bamˈbi.na/ | feminine |
| bimbo | /ˈbim.bo/ | masculine |
| bimba | /ˈbim.ba/ | feminine |
| bebè | /beˈbɛ/ | masculine |
| infante | /inˈfan.te/ | feminine, masculine |
These terms are used to refer to a very young human being.
Which one should you use?
bebè refers specifically to an infant. In contrast, bambino (masculine) or bambina (feminine) is more commonly used for a young child or toddler. For a more colloquial and affectionate way to say 'little one', you can use bimbo (masculine) or bimba (feminine).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Southern Italy, particularly in Naples and the surrounding areas, people use the endearing terms Piccerillo or Piccerilla to refer to a baby.
How does it change in a sentence?
bambino is masculine, while bambina is feminine. bimbo is masculine and bimba is feminine. bebè is masculine. The term infante can be used for both masculine and feminine subjects.
How do you pronounce it?
The word bambino is pronounced /bamˈbi.no/. It has three syllables, with the stress on the second syllable.
When do people say it?
The diminutive forms Cucciolotto and Cuccioletto are informal ways to refer to a baby as a 'little baby'.
Did you know?
- In Italian, the word bimbo is a standard affectionate term for a child, but in American English, it has a completely different and derogatory meaning regarding intelligence.
- The word bambino is actually an onomatopoeia, mimicking the very first nonsensical sounds or 'stammerings' a child makes when learning to speak.
- While bambino is the standard term, if you call a baby cucciolo, you are technically calling them a 'little cub' or 'little puppy', using an animal-related term as an endearment.
Examples in context
- Tom è un bebè.Tom is a baby.This sentence uses bebè to identify Tom as a baby.Tatoeba #2611649 by Guybrush88, translation #2272755 by CK
- È solo un bebè.It's just a baby.This sentence uses bebè to emphasize that someone is just a baby.Tatoeba #5085892 by Guybrush88, translation #2953101 by CK
- Il bebè era nudo.The baby was naked.This sentence uses bebè to describe the state of the baby.Tatoeba #3381693 by Guybrush88, translation #657220 by CK
- Guarda quel bambino! È così adorabile!Look at that baby! It's so adorable!
- Ciao, piccerillo! Stai crescendo veloce!Hello, little baby! You're growing up so fast!
- 269 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lorenzo and Chiara are visiting a friend's house.
- LorenzoChiara, guarda quel bambino!Chiara, look at that baby!
- ChiaraSì, Lorenzo, è bellissimo.Yes, Lorenzo, he is beautiful.
- LorenzoIl bambino ha gli occhi azzurri.The baby has blue eyes.
- ChiaraÈ vero, è adorabile.It's true, he is adorable.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “baby” translations and entries bambino, fanciullo, bambina, bimbo, bimba, bebè, infante, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bambino, bimbo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
