Italian · Emotions & Descriptions
"Kind" in Italian: gentile
gentile
Kind in Italian is gentile (jen-TEE-leh). It is the same for masculine and feminine singular; plural is gentili. It also means polite.
Thanking help
Sei davvero gentile, grazie.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce gentile
Say it
jen-TEE-leh
/dʒenˈti.le/
Gentile stresses TEE: jen-TEE-leh. The ge is like English jen.
"Kind" in Italian: quick reference
| Italian | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| gentile | kind / polite Singular any gender. | Singular any gender. |
| gentili | kind (plural) More than one person. | More than one person. |
| molto gentile | very kind Thanking someone. | Thanking someone. |
| che gentile! | how kind! Reaction to a favor. | Reaction to a favor. |
How to use gentile in real life
- 1Thanking help
Sei davvero gentile, grazie.
You're really kind, thank you.
Gentile with essere.
- 2Describing neighbors
I vicini sono gentili con tutti.
The neighbors are kind to everyone.
Plural gentili.
- 3Service
Il cameriere è stato gentile.
The waiter was kind.
Gentile after essere stato.
Mistakes English speakers make with gentile
Incorrect: Sei kind.
Correct: Sei gentile.
Use Italian gentile.
Incorrect: Una donna gentila.
Correct: Una donna gentile.
Singular does not change for gender.
Good to know
Gentile covers kind and courteously polite. Shop staff hear molto gentile as a warm thanks. Kind as in type of thing is kind/tipo—different word.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
After someone holds a door
ChatPal
Grazie, sei gentile.
Thanks, you're kind.
You
Figurati. Anche tu sei gentile.
Don't mention it. You're kind too.
ChatPal
Qui la gente è spesso gentile con i turisti.
Here people are often kind to tourists.
You
Lo noto. Un sorriso gentile aiuta tanto.
I notice. A kind smile helps a lot.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Kind" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Kind" in Italian
Gender forms?
Singular gentile for all; plural gentili.
Kind or polite?
Both senses live in gentile.
How do I say very kind of you?
Molto gentile da parte tua.
Opposite?
Maleducato or scortese, depending on tone.
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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