Skip to content

bambino

child

noun bahm-BEE-noh Common

Origin: Origin uncertain; possibly from Italian bambo (silly, simple), as a term of endearment for infants

Also means

boy

Usage Note

Bambino refers to a young child (roughly 0–12 years old). The feminine form is bambina (girl/female child). In the Christmas expression Gesù Bambino (Baby Jesus) it names the infant Christ. Do not use bambino for a teenager — ragazzo/a is appropriate for teens. The plural bambini is regular.

Examples

"I bambini giocano in giardino."

Natural Translation

The children are playing in the garden.

Explore Italian by topic