How to Say “Smile” in Italian

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sorriso
/sorˈri.zo/
The English phrase 'smile' is translated into Italian as sorriso.
sorriso is the most common and straightforward word for smile in Italian.
Meaning: to have a smile on one's face (verb)

Which one should you use?

While sorriso is the noun for a smile, sorridere is the action of smiling.

Related words

A happy face expression using mouth, but without producing voice (noun): sorriso.

How does it change in a sentence?

The noun sorriso is masculine, so it is used with masculine adjectives like bel (beautiful) or grande (big). The verb form of 'smile' is sorridere.

How do you pronounce it?

The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable: /sorˈri.zo/.

Did you know?

  • The word sorriso comes from the Latin subrīsus, which implies a 'secret' or 'understated' laugh, rather than a wide open laugh.
  • Italy has a specific term for a 'forced' or 'fake' smile called sorriso di circostanza, which literally means a 'smile of circumstance'.
  • If a smile is described as tirato, it implies the smile is 'stretched' or forced, often used to describe someone who is smiling through discomfort.

Examples in context

  • Ha un bel sorriso.
    You have a beautiful smile.
    This sentence shows how to use sorriso with a masculine adjective to describe a beautiful smile.
    Tatoeba #3009382 by Guybrush88, translation #2045790 by CK
  • Hai un bel sorriso.
    You've got a nice smile.
    This sentence demonstrates a common way to tell someone they have a nice smile using sorriso.
    Tatoeba #3009380 by Guybrush88, translation #2675002 by Hybrid
  • Tom non ha sorriso.
    Tom didn't smile.
    This sentence illustrates the use of the verb form to say someone did not smile.
    Tatoeba #5848747 by Guybrush88, translation #3732950 by CK
  • Grazie per il tuo sorrisino
    Thank you for your little smile
  • Ho notato un sorrisino sul suo volto
    I noticed a little smile on his/her face
  • Quel bambino ha un sorrisaccio contagioso
    That child has a contagious big smile
  • Il suo sorriso illuminò la stanza
    Her smile illuminated the room
  • 193 more sentences on Tatoeba

Example conversation

Chiara and Alessandro meet at a cafe.

  1. Chiara

    Ciao Alessandro! Perché non hai sorriso?
    Hi Alessandro! Why didn't you smile?
  2. Alessandro

    Sono solo molto stanco oggi.
    I am just very tired today.
  3. Chiara

    Dai, un sorriso per me!
    Come on, a smile for me!
  4. Alessandro

    Va bene, ora ho sorriso.
    Alright, now I have smiled.

Sources

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Ida Vivian
Ida VivianHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
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