ragazza
/raˈɡat.t͡sa/feminine
The Italian word for girlfriend is ragazza. Wiktionary also lists donna.
Meaning: a female partner in a romantic relationship (noun)
Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ragazza | /raˈɡat.t͡sa/ | feminine |
| donna | /ˈdɔn.na/ | feminine |
The term is used to describe a female partner in a romantic relationship. Depending on the context and the use of a possessive pronoun, ragazza can mean either 'girl' or 'girlfriend'.
Which one should you use?
While ragazza is the most common way to say girlfriend, it also translates to 'girl'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of ragazza is ragazze.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /raˈɡat.tsa/. It has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying la mia donna to mean 'my girlfriend'. In Italian, this phrasing sounds objectifying or overly possessive and is not the standard way to introduce a romantic partner.
When do people say it?
When addressing a girlfriend affectionately, speakers often use the word amore, which means 'love'.
Did you know?
- The term ragazza is etymologically linked to the idea of rags or tatters, stemming from a word for torn clothing.
- Italian speakers often use the phrase la mia metà meaning 'my half' to describe a girlfriend or boyfriend in a deeply romantic way.
Examples in context
- È la mia ragazza.She is my girlfriend.This sentence shows how to introduce someone as your girlfriend using ragazza.Tatoeba #1280528 by Guybrush88, translation #312168 by CK
- Io ho una ragazza.I have a girlfriend.This sentence demonstrates the use of ragazza to state that you have a girlfriend.Tatoeba #2990825 by Guybrush88, translation #1969242 by CK
- Tom ha una ragazza?Does Tom have a girlfriend?This sentence uses ragazza to ask a question about whether someone has a girlfriend.Tatoeba #1064249 by Guybrush88, translation #1040730 by CK
- La mia ragazza è molto intelligente.My girlfriend is very intelligent.
- Siamo insieme da anni, lei è la mia compagna.We've been together for years, she's my girlfriend.
- La mia fidanzata è una ballerina talentuosa.My girlfriend is a talented dancer.
- 340 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alessandro and Sofia are talking about a party.
- AlessandroPorti la tua ragazza alla festa?Are you bringing your girlfriend to the party?
- SofiaSì, lei verrà sicuramente.Yes, she will definitely come.
- AlessandroNon ho mai conosciuto la tua ragazza.I have never met your girlfriend.
- SofiaSarà bello presentarvela sabato.It will be nice to introduce her to you on Saturday.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “girlfriend” translations and entries ragazza, donna, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries donna, ragazza, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
