nano
/ˈna.no/masculine
The English word midget translates to Italian as nano. Wiktionary also lists nana.
Meaning: person of small stature of adult height less than 4'10" (noun)
Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| nano | /ˈna.no/ | masculine |
| nana | /ˈna.na/ | feminine |
The term refers to a person of small stature with an adult height of less than 4'10". While it can be used to describe a person of small stature, the Italian term nanismo should be used instead when referring to the medical condition of dwarfism.
Which one should you use?
While nano can be used to mean midget, it is also the standard Italian word for a dwarf in fantasy contexts, such as the dwarves found in Tolkien's works.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine plural of nano is nani, and the feminine plural of nana is nane.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈna.no/. The word has two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- The word nano shares the same root as the English word 'nanotechnology', which deals with objects at a scale of one billionth of a metre.
- The phrase essere un nano can be used metaphorically in Italian to describe someone who is socially or professionally insignificant.
- Unlike English where 'midget' is often seen as a slur, nano remains the primary neutral term for both medical and fantasy contexts in Italy.
Examples in context
- Ho visto un nano nel film.I saw a midget in the movie.
Example conversation
Matteo and Chiara are discussing a fantasy movie they just watched.
- MatteoHai visto il nano nel film?Did you see the midget in the movie?
- ChiaraSì, era molto simpatico.Yes, he was very nice.
- MatteoChiara, anche il nano era coraggioso.Chiara, even the midget was brave.
- ChiaraHai ragione, Matteo.You're right, Matteo.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “midget” translations and entries nano, nana, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
