sorellina
The Italian phrase for little sister is sorellina.
sorellina is used to refer to a sister who is younger than the speaker.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is formed from sorella (sister) and the diminutive suffix -ina (little).
How does it change in a sentence?
sorellina is a feminine singular noun. It must agree with feminine adjectives, such as sorellina piccola. The plural form of sorellina is sorelline.
Did you know?
- The word 'sorellina' can sometimes be used ironically in an argument to mock someone who is acting childishly or being overly sensitive.
- While sorellina means 'little sister', in some Italian regions, it is used as a term of endearment for a very close female friend, even if there is no biological relation.
- The word sorella is a cognate of the English 'sororal', a technical term used in psychology to describe the relationship between sisters.
Examples in context
- Mi manca la mia sorellina.I miss my little sister.This sentence shows how to express missing a sorellina.Tatoeba #2858194 by Guybrush88, translation #2857986 by mervert1
- Non sono la tua sorellina.I'm not your little sister.This sentence demonstrates a denial of being someone's sorellina.Tatoeba #3893801 by Guybrush88, translation #2244446 by Amastan
- La mia sorellina è adorabile.My little sister is adorable.This sentence is useful for describing a sorellina as adorable.Tatoeba #12694384 by Guybrush88, translation #10085391 by LeeSooHa
- Ho l'onore di presentarvi mia sorellina, Maria.Allow me to introduce my little sister, Maria.
- Ciao, sorellina! Hai voglia di giocare insieme oggi?Hi, little sister! Do you feel like playing together today?
- 15 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofia and Matteo are talking about family at a cafe.
- SofiaHai una sorellina?Do you have a little sister?
- MatteoSì, la mia sorellina è molto simpatica.Yes, my little sister is very nice.
- SofiaChe bella! Quanti anni ha la tua sorellina?How lovely! How old is your little sister?
- MatteoHa solo cinque anni.She is only five years old.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
