picciriddu
The Sicilian word for child is picciriddu.
This term refers to a son, a daughter or someone's child.
Meaning: son or daughter, someone's child (noun)
Which one should you use?
While picciriddu is the default form, you can use picciridda to specifically refer to a girl or a female child. To refer to multiple children, the form changes to picciriddi.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form picciriddu is often used in an informal or affectionate way, similar to the English terms 'kiddo' or 'little one'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of picciriddu is picciriddi, and the feminine form is picciridda.
Did you know?
- The phrase fari u picciriddu can be used idiomatically to describe someone who is acting helpless or playing the innocent to get their way.
- If you are in a market in Sicily and hear someone referred to as a picciriddu, it might not mean they are a child, but rather that they are a 'small fry' or a low-level employee.
- If you use picciriddu to describe an idea or a problem, you are implying that it is a 'small' or 'trivial' matter.
Examples in context
- Chissu picciriddu è assai priggiatru.This child is very well-behaved.
- U picciriddu sta assai bonu.The child is doing very well.
Example conversation
Antonio and Rosa are talking about a neighbor's son in the street.
- AntonioRosa, hai vistu u picciriddu di Maria?Rosa, did you see Maria's child?
- RosaSì, è un picciriddu assai simpaticu.Yes, he is a very lovely child.
- AntonioVeru, è sempri cuntentu.True, he is always happy.
- RosaMaria è cuntenta d'aviri un figghiu accussì.Maria is happy to have a son like that.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry picciriddu, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
