bambino
/bamˈbi.no/masculine
In Italian, little boy is translated as bambino.
The word bambino is a more general term for a child, including both boys and girls, but can specifically refer to a young boy. You can use bambino piccolo or bambino piccolino to specify a very young boy or a toddler. The word ragazzino is commonly used to refer to a young boy, typically between the ages of 8 and 13.
Meaning: a diminutive male child (noun)
Which one should you use?
While bambino refers to a small child, ragazzo is used for an older boy or a young man.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine singular form is bambino. The feminine form of bambino is bambina. The plural form of bambino is bambini, which can mean little boys or children.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the second syllable: /bamˈbi.no/.
Did you know?
- The word bambino is thought to be onomatopoeic, originating from bambo to mimic the first stammering sounds made by infants.
- In Italian, you can call an adult man a bambino if he is acting immaturely or throwing a tantrum.
- In some regional Italian dialects, bambino can be replaced by guaglione in Naples, which carries a stronger connotation of street-smart youth.
Examples in context
- È un bambino o una bambina?Is it a little boy or a little girl?This sentence is useful for distinguishing between a little boy and a little girl.Tatoeba #4917980 by valealb, translation #4918089 by gcaplan
- Il bambino ha imparato gli scacchi guardando le partite locali.The little boy learned chess by watching local games.This sentence shows how to use bambino to refer to a boy learning a skill.Tatoeba #10083205 by carlosalberto, translation #10083164 by carlosalberto
- Il ragazzino è molto bravo a giocare a calcio.The little boy is very good at playing soccer.
- Il signore sta leggendo una storia al piccolo bambino.The gentleman is reading a story to the little boy.
- Il mio vicino ha un ragazzino simpaticissimo!My neighbor has a very cute little boy!
- Il bambinetto sta giocando felicemente nel parco.The little boy is happily playing in the park.
- Quel bambino sta giocando nel parco.That little boy is playing in the park.
Example conversation
Giulia and Francesco are watching children play in a square.
- GiuliaVedi quel bambino con la maglietta rossa?Do you see that little boy in the red shirt?
- FrancescoSì, è molto simpatico.Yes, he is very cute.
- GiuliaSembra proprio felice di correre.He seems really happy to be running.
- FrancescoÈ vero, corre molto velocemente.It's true, he runs very fast.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “little boy” translations and entries bambino, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bambino, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
