caro diario
/ˈka.ro diˈa.rjo/word by word
The English phrase "dear diary" is translated into Italian as caro diario.
caro diario is the traditional way to begin a diary entry.
Meaning: traditional first line in a diary entry (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adjective caro (meaning dear or expensive) and the noun diario (meaning diary).
How does it change in a sentence?
Because diario is a masculine noun, you must use the masculine adjective caro. Using the feminine form cara diario is incorrect.
How do you pronounce it?
It has 4 syllables, and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use cara diario.
Did you know?
- The word diario shares an ancestor with the English word 'diary', but its Latin root diārium originally referred to a daily allowance of money or a day's expenses.
- If an Italian speaker wants to refer to a 'diary' in the sense of a calendar or an appointment book, they use the word agenda instead of diario.
- In Italian literature, a character might address their diary as caro amico (dear friend) instead of using the word for the book itself. This personification treats the inanimate object as a living confidant.
Examples in context
- Caro diario, oggi è stata una giornata bellissima.Dear diary, today was a beautiful day.
- Caro diario, non so cosa scrivere oggi.Dear diary, I don't know what to write today.
- Caro diario, finalmente tutto è andato bene.Dear diary, finally everything went well.
Example conversation
Giulia is showing Francesco her new notebook.
- FrancescoCos'è quel quaderno nuovo, Giulia?What is that new notebook, Giulia?
- GiuliaÈ il mio nuovo diario personale.It is my new personal diary.
- FrancescoScriverai 'Caro diario' come nelle storie?Will you write 'Dear diary' like in the stories?
- GiuliaSì, mi piace molto come suona.Yes, I like how it sounds a lot.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dear diary” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (caro, diario) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries caro, diario, CC BY-SA 4.0.
