italoamericano
The English phrase "Italian American" is translated into Italian as italoamericano.
The term is used to describe a person of Italian descent who is a citizen of the United States. You may also use the descriptive phrases statunitense di origini italiane or americano con radici italiane to express that someone is an American with Italian origins.
What does it mean word for word?
The word italoamericano is a compound formed by the prefix italo-, which relates to Italy and americano, meaning American.
Which one should you use?
The standard closed form is italoamericano, but you may occasionally see the hyphenated version italo-americano in certain contexts, though this is less common in modern Italian.
How does it change in a sentence?
As a noun or adjective describing a person, the word must agree in gender and number with the subject. Use italoamericano for a male and italoamericana for a female. For a group of Italian-Americans or a mixed-gender group, use the masculine plural italoamericani. If the group consists only of Italian-American women, use the feminine plural italoamericane.
Did you know?
- In Italian, the word 'americano' refers specifically to someone from the United States, whereas in English 'American' can refer to anyone from the entire continent of the Americas.
- Italian employs the prefix italo- to create a wide range of identity words, such as italofilo for someone who loves Italian culture, regardless of their ancestry.
- The phrase statunitense di origini italiane is often preferred in formal journalism over italoamericano to emphasize the specific legal nationality of the United States.
Examples in context
- Luca è un italoamericano molto orgoglioso delle sue radici.Luca is a proud Italian American who takes pride in his roots.
- Maria è un'americana di origine italiana molto simpatica.Maria is a friendly American of Italian origin.
- Giovanni è un ragazzo di origine italo-americana molto affettuoso.Giovanni is a very affectionate guy of Italian-American origin.
- Siamo molto orgogliosi di essere una famiglia di italoamericani.We are very proud to be an Italian American family.
- La comunità degli americani di origine italiana è molto attiva in questa città.The Italian-American community is very active in this city.
- Ho un amico di origine italo-americana che cucina benissimo.I have a friend of Italian-American origin who cooks incredibly well.
- Le tradizioni italoamericane sono tramandate di generazione in generazione.Italian-American traditions are passed down from generation to generation.
- Le nostre radici sono italiane, ma siamo orgogliosi di essere nati in America.Our roots are Italian, but we are proud to be born in America.
- Mio cugino è un italoamericano di New York.My cousin is an Italian American from New York.
- È un italoamericano molto orgoglioso delle sue radici.He is an Italian American very proud of his roots.
Example conversation
Sofia and Francesco are discussing a family friend in a cafe.
- SofiaConosci quel ragazzo che vive a Chicago?Do you know that guy who lives in Chicago?
- FrancescoSì, è un italoamericano molto simpatico.Yes, he is a very nice Italian American.
- SofiaFrancesco, sai anche cosa fa nella vita?Francesco, do you also know what he does for a living?
- FrancescoLavora come architetto in un grande studio.He works as an architect in a large firm.
