buongiorno mio caro
/ˌbwɔnˈd͡ʒor.no ˈmi.o ˈka.ro/word by word
The English phrase "good morning my dear" is translated into Italian as buongiorno mio caro.
buongiorno mio caro is a warm and highly affectionate greeting used in the morning. It is typically reserved for romantic partners, close family members or very dear friends.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase changes based on who you are addressing. Use the feminine form buongiorno mia cara if you are addressing a woman, and the masculine form buongiorno mio caro for a man. If you are addressing more than one person, use the plural form buongiorno miei cari.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ˌbwɔnˈdʒor.no ˈmi.o ˈka.ro/. It has 7 syllables, with the stress on the second syllable.
When do people say it?
In addition to calling someone "dear," romantic partners often use the phrase Buongiorno amore mio, which means "Good morning, my love".
Did you know?
- While caro means 'dear', it is also the standard Italian word for 'expensive'.
- In Italy, a greeting like buongiorno is often accompanied by two kisses on the cheeks, starting with the left.
- While 'caro' means 'dear', using it with a stranger or an acquaintance in a shop can often sound patronizing or overly intimate rather than polite.
Examples in context
- Buongiorno cara mia! Come hai dormito?Good morning, my dear! How did you sleep?
- Buongiorno amore mio, hai fatto dei bei sogni?Good morning, my love. Did you have any nice dreams?
- Buongiorno mio caro, come stai oggi?Good morning my dear, how are you today?
- Buongiorno mio caro, ti ho preparato il caffè.Good morning my dear, I prepared coffee for you.
Example conversation
Alessandro and Sofia are having breakfast in the kitchen.
- AlessandroBuongiorno mio caro, hai dormito bene?Good morning my dear, did you sleep well?
- SofiaSì, ho dormito benissimo, grazie.Yes, I slept very well, thank you.
- AlessandroVuoi un altro cornetto?Do you want another croissant?
- SofiaSì, grazie mille, Sofia.Yes, thanks a lot, Sofia.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (buongiorno, mio, caro) and can differ in connected speech.
