stellina
The Italian phrase for "little star" is stellina.
stellina can refer to a small celestial object in the sky, but it is frequently used as a term of endearment for a child or a romantic partner.
What does it mean word for word?
The word stellina is formed from stella (star) plus the diminutive suffix -ina (little).
How does it change in a sentence?
stellina is a feminine noun. It takes the feminine singular article la (la stellina) and the feminine plural article le (le stelline). The plural form of the diminutive stellina is stelline.
Did you know?
- In some contexts, calling someone a stellina can be used sarcastically to describe a person who thinks they are perfect or 'precious' in an annoying way.
- While English uses 'star' for both celebrities and celestial bodies, using stellina for a famous person would sound strangely patronizing or overly cutesy in Italian.
- The word stella is an ancient relative of the English word 'stellar', showing a direct linguistic link between Italian and English through their shared Latin ancestor.
Examples in context
- Hai raggiunto il tuo scopo. Sei una stellina!You have achieved your goal. You're a little star!
- Guarda quella stellina in cielo.Look at that little star in the sky.
- Sei la mia stellina.You are my little star.
- Ho disegnato una stellina sul foglio.I drew a little star on the paper.
Example conversation
A couple is sitting on a balcony at night looking at the sky.
- ChiaraMatteo, guarda la stellina più luminosa.Matteo, look at the brightest little star.
- MatteoÈ bellissima, Chiara.It is beautiful, Chiara.
- ChiaraPer me, la mia stellina sei tu.For me, you are my little star.
- MatteoGrazie, amore mio.Thank you, my love.
