sei carino
/ˈsɛj kaˈri.no/word by word
The Italian phrase for "you're cute" is sei carino.
This phrase is a compliment used to tell someone that they are attractive or endearing. While it can be used to mean attractive, it often carries a connotation of being "sweet" or "endearing" rather than being intensely sexy.
Which one should you use?
Sei carino/a is used to address an individual, whereas siete carini is used when addressing a group of people directly.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the phrase changes based on the gender and number of the person you are addressing. If you are speaking to a woman, you must change the ending of the adjective to the feminine form sei carina. When addressing a group of people directly, the verb changes from sei to siete.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈsɛj kaˈri.no/
Did you know?
- The word carino is built from caro, which means 'dear' or 'expensive', combined with the diminutive suffix -ino.
- In Italian, calling a man carino can sometimes be a 'backhanded compliment' if it implies he is sweet but lacks physical presence or masculinity.
- While English uses 'cute' for both babies and romantic interests, using sei carina toward a grown woman in a formal setting might be seen as patronizing or infantilizing.
Examples in context
- Dice che sei carino.She says you're cute.This sentence is useful for reporting what someone else says about you using the form sei carino.Tatoeba #2900364 by Guybrush88, translation #2819425 by Hybrid
- Sei adorabile con quel sorriso contagiosoYou're adorable with that contagious smile
- Mi piace come ti sta quel cappello, sei davvero carino/aI like how that hat suits you, you're really cute
- Sei un amore, sei carinissimo/aYou're a sweetheart, you're so cute.
- Sei carino con quel cappello.You're cute with that hat.
- Mi piace come parli, sei carino.I like how you talk, you're cute.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lorenzo and Giulia are on a first date.
- LorenzoGiulia, sei carina in questo vestito.Giulia, you're cute in this dress.
- GiuliaGrazie! Anche tu sei carino.Thanks! You're cute too.
- LorenzoSei davvero molto dolce.You are really very sweet.
- GiuliaGrazie mille, Lorenzo.Thank you very much, Lorenzo.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (sei, carino) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries carino, sei, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
