parente alla lontana
The English phrase 'distant relative' is translated into Italian as parente alla lontana.
This phrase is used to describe a family member who is not closely related to you by blood or marriage.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase parente alla lontana is composed of parente (relative), alla (at the) and lontana (far/distant).
How does it change in a sentence?
Although parente alla lontana is a common idiomatic expression, you can also use the adjective lontano directly after the noun to say parente lontano.
Did you know?
- The word parente shares the same Latin root as the English word 'parent', but in Italian it refers to any relative, regardless of how close the relationship is.
- While parente alla lontana describes a distant relative, Italians use the phrase parenti acquisiti to describe relatives gained through marriage, literally calling them 'acquired relatives'.
- In some Italian regional contexts, calling someone a parente can be used ironically to describe a stranger who acts too familiar or intrusive.
Examples in context
- Abbiamo scoperto di essere parenti di grado lontano.We discovered that we are distant relatives.
- Sono un tuo lontano parente!I am one of your distant relatives!
- È un parente alla lontana.He/she is a distant relative.
- Ho scoperto di avere un parente alla lontana in Canada.I discovered I have a distant relative in Canada.
Example conversation
Sofia and Matteo are looking at an old family photo album.
- SofiaChi è quest'uomo nella foto, Matteo?Who is this man in the photo, Matteo?
- MatteoÈ solo un parente alla lontana.He is just a distant relative.
- SofiaNon l'ho mai visto in vita mia.I have never seen him in my life.
- MatteoNemmeno io, ma era molto gentile.Neither have I, but he was very kind.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries parente, CC BY-SA 4.0.
