Italian · People & Family
"Grandfather" in Italian: nonno
il nonno
Grandfather in Italian is il nonno (eel NOHN-noh). Mio nonno is my grandfather. Nonnino is an affectionate diminutive. Plural is i nonni, which also means grandparents as a pair.
Family introduction
Questo è mio nonno, Paolo.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce nonno
Say it
eel NOHN-noh
/il ˈnɔn.no/
Nonno stresses NOHN: NOHN-noh. Hold the double n.
"Grandfather" in Italian: quick reference
| Italian | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| il nonno | grandfather Standard family word. | Standard family word. |
| mio nonno | my grandfather Possessive form. | Possessive form. |
| nonnino | grandad (affectionate) Warm diminutive. | Warm diminutive. |
| i nonni | grandfathers; grandparents Plural / the pair. | Plural / the pair. |
How to use nonno in real life
- 1Family introduction
Questo è mio nonno, Paolo.
This is my grandfather, Paolo.
Mio nonno for introductions.
- 2Garden story
Il nonno annaffia sempre i pomodori.
Grandfather always waters the tomatoes.
Il nonno as family archetype.
- 3Phone plan
Chiamo il nonno dopo cena.
I'll call grandfather after dinner.
Il nonno in plans.
Mistakes English speakers make with nonno
Incorrect: La nonno arriva domani.
Correct: Il nonno arriva domani.
Nonno is masculine: il nonno. Grandmother is la nonna.
Incorrect: Mio grandfather cucina bene.
Correct: Mio nonno cucina bene.
Use nonno, not the English word.
Good to know
Il nonno often means Sunday walks, card games, and strong opinions about food. Adults still say vado dal nonno without sounding childish. Together with la nonna, i nonni are the grandparents.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Planning a visit to grandparents
ChatPal
Tuo nonno abita ancora in paese?
Does your grandfather still live in the village?
You
Sì, il nonno non vuole lasciare la casa.
Yes, grandfather doesn't want to leave the house.
ChatPal
Portiamo il vino per il nonno.
Let's bring wine for grandfather.
You
Certo: al nonno piace il rosso leggero.
Sure: grandfather likes light red.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Grandfather" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Grandfather" in Italian
How do I say my grandfather?
Mio nonno.
What is grandmother?
La nonna.
What does nonnino mean?
An affectionate little grandad form of nonno.
What is the plural?
I nonni; used for grandfathers or grandparents together.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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