Common Italian Terms of Endearment/Compliments –
Essential Vocabulary
Terms of endearment abound in the Italian language. Couples have 1001 ways to refer to each other, and very often enjoy attempting to invent a "unique" one for themselves.
Many terms can also be used casually with friends as compliments and friendly gestures. Don't forget that Italians are very expressive people, so they won't hesitate to call you Tesoro (darling) or Caro (dear) even at first encounter.
This guide will point you in the right direction so you will be able to return the sentiment properly.
|
Phrase in Italian |
Phrase in English |
Pronunciation |
|
Caro/a |
Dear |
Cah-roh / Cah-rah |
|
Ciao |
Hello (informal) |
Chee-ah-oh |
|
Bello/a |
Beautiful |
Behl-loh / Behl-lah |
|
Bellissimo/a |
Very beautiful |
Behll-ees-see-mah / Behll-ees-see-moh |
|
Carino/a |
Cute |
Cah-ree-noh / Cah-ree-nah |
|
Simpatico/a |
Nice |
Seem-pah-tee-koh / Seem-pah-tee-kah |
|
Tesoro |
Darling (literally treasure) |
The-soh-roh |
|
Ciao bello/a |
Hi/Bye Beautiful! |
Chee-ah-oh behl-loh / Chee-ah-oh behl-lah |
|
Ciao ciao! |
Bye bye (informal) |
Chee-ah-oh Chee-ah-oh |
|
Amore |
Love |
Ah-moh-reh |
|
Ciao amore! |
Hello/Bye Love! |
Chee-ah-oh ah-moh-reh |
|
Bacio |
Kiss |
Bah-choh |
|
Abbraccio |
Hug |
Ahb-brah-choh |
|
Dolce |
Sweet |
Dohl-che |
|
(NAME)-ino / ina |
Little-(NAME)- term of endearment |
... eenoh / ...eenah |
|
Angelo |
Literally: Angel- showing gratefulness |
An-jeh-loh |
|
Gattino/a |
Little cat - term of endearment |
Gaht-tee-noh / gaht-tee-nah |
|
Passerotto / a |
Sparrow - term of endearment |
Pahs-she-roht-toh / pahs-she-roht-tah |
|
Piccolo / a |
Little - term of endearment |
Pee-koh-loh / pee-koh-lah |
|
Cucciolo/a |
Literally: Puppy (term of endearment) |
Koo-Cho-loh / Koo-cho-lah |
|
Stella |
Literally: Star (term of endearment) |
Stehl-lah |
|
Tesorino |
(Akin to sweetheart) |
The-soh-ree-noh |
|
Dolcezza |
(Akin to sweetheart) |
dohl-che-tsah |
|
Un bacione! |
A big kiss! (saying goodbye) |
Oon bah-cho-neh |
|
Mi manchi |
I miss you |
Mee mahn-kee |
|
Ti penso |
I think of you |
Tee pehn-soh |
|
Grazie |
Thank you |
Grah-zee-eh |
|
Prego |
You're welcome |
Preh-goh |
|
Scusi/Scusa |
I'm sorry (Formal / Informal) |
Scoo-zee / Scoo-zah |
|
Mi perdoni |
Excuse me |
Mee Pehr-doh-nee |
Slang/Commonly Used Expressions:
| |
Expression in Italian |
Expression in English |
Pronunciation |
|
Ti voglio bene! |
I love you! |
Tee voh-leeoh beh-neh |
|
Ti amo! |
I love you! |
Tee ah-moh! |
|
Ti voglio tanto bene! |
I love you a lot! |
Tee voh-leeoh tahn-toh beh-neh |
|
Ti voglio un mondo di bene! |
I think the world of you! |
Tee voh-leeoh oon mohn-doh dee beh-neh |
|
TVUMDB |
I think the world of you (abbreviated) |
- |
|
TVTB |
I love you so much (abbreviated) |
- |
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