Which one should you use?
While it is commonly used as an adjective for size, when used as a noun to refer to a person, it specifically denotes a "little one".
How does it change in a sentence?
The form changes depending on the gender and number of the children you are referring to: use piccola for a female child, piccoli for a group of male children or a mixed group and piccole for a group of female children.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables and is pronounced /ˈpik.ko.lo/. The stress is on the first syllable.
When do people say it?
In addition to piccolo, Italian speakers use other terms to address children. Bambino is used for young boys and bambina for young girls. Other affectionate terms include tesorino (little treasure) and farfalletta mia (little butterfly), the latter of which can be used to address a child, especially young girls.
Did you know?
- The word piccolo might not even have a formal linguistic origin, as some scholars believe it began as an onomatopoeic sound used by adults to mimic the sounds of small objects or children.
- While piccolo refers to a child, the word piccolino adds an extra layer of affection or emphasizes how tiny the child is.
Examples in context
- Adesso devo andare, piccolo mio.I have to go now, my little one.This sentence shows how to use piccolo as an affectionate address.Tatoeba #11767519 by Nuel, translation #11767518 by Nuel
- All'alba del mattino vi era la povera piccina, con le guance pallide e la bocca sorridente, appoggiata al muro. Era stata congelata a morte l'ultima sera dell'anno, e il sole di Capodanno salì e brillo su di un piccolo cadavere!In the dawn of morning there lay the poor little one, with pale cheeks and smiling mouth, leaning against the wall. She had been frozen to death on the last evening of the year, and the New Year's sun rose and shone upon a little corpse!This sentence uses piccolo as a noun to refer to a person.Tatoeba #3566973 by Guybrush88, translation #2672581 by Hybrid
- Come stai, piccolo/piccola?How are you, little one?
- Vieni qui, mio piccolo amore!Come here, my little love!
- Vieni, farfalletta mia! Hai fame?Come, my little butterfly! Are you hungry?
- Il piccolo sta dormendo finalmente.The little one is finally sleeping.
Example conversation
Francesco and Giulia are looking after a baby at home.
- FrancescoGuarda come dorme il piccolo.Look how the little one is sleeping.
- GiuliaSì, è davvero un angelo.Yes, he is truly an angel.
- FrancescoVuoi che lo prenda io?Do you want me to hold him?
- GiuliaNo, lascialo riposare un po'.No, let him rest a little.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry piccolo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries piccolo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
