bisnonno
The English phrase "great grandpa" is translated into Italian as bisnonno.
bisnonno refers to the father of one's grandparent.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form for a pair of great grandparents is bisnonni.
Did you know?
- The word nonno is an altered version of the Latin nonnus, which originally meant 'monk' or 'elderly person'.
- In Italian, the word for 'great' in a familial context isn't the adjective grande, which would change the meaning to a 'large' grandfather.
- If you want to refer to a great-great-grandfather, the prefix increments to tris-, resulting in the word trisnonno.
Examples in context
- Mio bisnonno era un bravissimo marinaio.My great grandpa was a very good sailor.
- Ho una vecchia foto del mio bisnonno.I have an old photo of my great grandpa.
- Il mio bisnonno viveva in un piccolo paese.My great grandpa lived in a small village.
Example conversation
Matteo and Giulia are looking at a family photo album.
- MatteoChi è questo signore elegante?Who is this elegant gentleman?
- GiuliaÈ il mio bisnonno.It is my great grandpa.
- MatteoSembra un uomo molto gentile.He looks like a very kind man.
- GiuliaSì, lo era davvero.Yes, he really was.
