Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| bambino | /bamˈbi.no/ | masculine |
| bambina | /bamˈbi.na/ | feminine |
| figlio | /ˈfiʎ.ʎo/ | masculine |
| figlia | /ˈfiʎ.ʎa/ | feminine |
The word used for child in Italian depends on whether you are describing a person's age or their relationship to a parent. You use bambino to refer to a young child or a toddler. Conversely, you use figlio to emphasize the biological or legal relationship of being someone's offspring.
Which one should you use?
Use bambino when you are talking about a young child or a boy. Use figlio to refer to a son or a child in the context of being someone's offspring, regardless of how old they are.
How does it change in a sentence?
When referring to a group of young children of mixed or unspecified gender, use the masculine plural bambini. If you are referring to a group of offspring that includes both sons and daughters, use the masculine plural figli.
How do you pronounce it?
The word bambino is pronounced /bamˈbi.no/. It has 3 syllables, and the stress is on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- Because figlio is derived from a root meaning 'sucker', it is a distant linguistic relative of the English word 'suck'.
- The word bambino is believed to be onomatopoeic, mimicking the rhythmic-sounding babbling or stammering of a very young child.
- The word bambino uses the diminutive suffix '-ino', which is commonly used in Italian to express endearment or smallness.
Examples in context
- Io ho un figlio.I have one child.This sentence demonstrates the use of figlio to indicate having a child.Tatoeba #3574258 by Guybrush88, translation #4500152 by CK
- Non è un bambino.He is not a child.This sentence uses bambino to state that someone is not a child.Tatoeba #439958 by Pharamp, translation #3579732 by shekitten
- Tom è un bambino.Tom is a child.This sentence uses bambino to identify Tom as a child.Tatoeba #2611691 by Guybrush88, translation #2272773 by CK
- Chiunque abbia un minore a carico, deve presentare la documentazione corretta.Anyone with a dependent child must provide the correct documentation.
- Guarda che carino/a, il mio bambino/bambina!Look how cute, my little child!
- 897 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lorenzo and Martina are walking in a park.
- LorenzoGuarda quel bambino che corre.Look at that child running.
- MartinaÈ un bambino molto veloce!He is a very fast child!
- LorenzoSì, sembra molto felice oggi.Yes, he seems very happy today.
- MartinaHai ragione, Lorenzo.You are right, Lorenzo.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “child” translations and entries bambino, bambina, figlio, figlia, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bambino, figlia, figlio, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
