amor proprio
The English phrase self love is translated into Italian as amor proprio.
Amor proprio refers to the sense of one's own worth and the desire to protect one's dignity. While it can describe a healthy sense of self-esteem, it is often used in a slightly negative or defensive context to describe someone's pride or wounded ego.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of amor (love) and proprio (one's own).
Did you know?
- In Italian, amor is a poetic or archaic shortened form of amore, which is the standard word for love used in daily conversation.
- The adjective proprio can also be used as an adverb meaning 'exactly' or 'really', such as in the phrase proprio così, which means 'exactly like that'.
- The term amor proprio shares a direct lineage with the French amour-propre, a concept famously analyzed by philosophers like Jean-Jacques Rousseau.
Examples in context
- Mi amo e mi accetto per quello che sonoI love myself and accept myself for who I am
- Mi prendo cura di me stessaI take care of myself
- Mi dedico del tempoI dedicate time to myself
- Mi accetto per come sonoI accept myself as I am
- Sono felice di essere chi sonoI am happy to be who I am
- Sono fiera di me stessaI am proud of myself
- Bisogna avere un po' di amor proprio.One needs to have a bit of self love.
- L'amor proprio è fondamentale per stare bene.Self love is fundamental to feeling well.
- Non permettere a nessuno di calpestare il tuo amor proprio.Don't let anyone trample on your self love.
Example conversation
Francesco and Giulia are discussing a difficult situation at work.
- FrancescoNon devi accettare tutto quello che dicono.You shouldn't accept everything they say.
- GiuliaLo so, ma è difficile mantenere il mio amor proprio.I know, but it is hard to maintain my self love.
- FrancescoRicordati che la tua dignità viene prima di tutto.Remember that your dignity comes before everything.
- GiuliaGrazie Francesco, hai ragione.Thanks Francesco, you are right.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry amor proprio, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries amor proprio, proprio, CC BY-SA 4.0.
