fiorellino
The English phrase "little flower" is translated into Italian as fiorellino.
fiorellino refers to a small flower or is used to describe a flower in a cute or affectionate way. You may also encounter the informal variation fiorellina to express the same idea.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is formed by combining fiore (flower) with the diminutive suffix -ino (small/little).
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of fiorellino is fiorellini.
Did you know?
- The word fiore shares a linguistic root with the English word 'flour', as both derive from the Latin word for the 'finest part' of something.
- The word fiorellino is a double diminutive. It combines two different suffixes for smallness, -ello and -ino, to create an extra layer of affection or tiny size.
- Using fiorellino to describe a person can sometimes be perceived as patronizing depending on the social hierarchy, despite its cute meaning.
Examples in context
- Il fiorellino è blu.The little flower is blue.This sentence is useful for identifying the color of the fiorellino.Tatoeba #12764246 by Guybrush88, translation #10161005 by ToxicFriu
- Il fiorellino è nero.The little flower is black.Tatoeba #12764253 by Guybrush88, translation #10161007 by ToxicFriu
- Il fiorellino è viola.The little flower is purple.Tatoeba #12764250 by Guybrush88, translation #10161006 by ToxicFriu
- Mia nonna adorava ricevere dei fiorellini freschi ogni settimana.My grandmother loved receiving fresh little flowers every week.
- Giulia, sei un fiorellino dolcissimo!Giulia, you are such a sweet little flower!
- Marco, prendi questa rosa. Sei un vero fiorellino mio!Marco, take this rose. You are my true little flower!
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lorenzo and Martina are walking through a meadow.
- LorenzoMartina, guarda questo fiorellino.Martina, look at this little flower.
- MartinaChe bello, è davvero grazioso!How beautiful, it is truly lovely!
- LorenzoVuoi che lo coglia per te?Do you want me to pick it for you?
- MartinaNo, lasciamolo stare qui.No, let's leave it here.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries fiorellino, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
