piccioncini
The English phrase 'love birds' is translated into Italian as piccioncini.
piccioncini is a term used to describe a couple who are very affectionate and fond of each other. It can be used affectionately or teasingly to describe a couple that is constantly showing affection to one another.
What does it mean word for word?
The word piccioncini is a diminutive of piccione (pigeon), meaning 'little pigeons'.
Did you know?
- Using the word uccelli to translate 'birds' in a romantic context fails because in Italian slang, uccello is a common euphemism for the male anatomy.
- While piccioncini describes a romantic couple, calling a person a piccione (singular) can actually be an insult. In many Italian contexts, it describes someone who is a 'sucker' or easily deceived.
- If you want to call a couple 'love birds' in a more elegant or literary way, you might use tortore (turtledoves) instead of piccioncini.
Examples in context
- Guarda quei due, sono dei veri piccioncini.Look at those two, they are real love birds.
- I nuovi vicini sono proprio dei piccioncini.The new neighbors are such love birds.
- Non sembrano affatto dei piccioncini quando litigano.They don't look like love birds at all when they argue.
Example conversation
Alessandro and Sofia are sitting in a cafe watching a couple nearby.
- AlessandroVedi quanto sono affettuosi quei due?Do you see how affectionate those two are?
- SofiaSì, sembrano proprio dei piccioncini.Yes, they look like real love birds.
- AlessandroSofia, noi non siamo così romantici.Sofia, we are not that romantic.
- SofiaNon è vero, Alessandro, sei un dolce.That's not true, Alessandro, you are sweet.
