Italian · People & Family
"Relative" in Italian: parente
il/la parente
Relative in Italian is parente (pah-REN-teh)—il parente, la parente. Plural i parenti means relatives in general, not parents (genitori).
Wedding
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How to pronounce parente
Say it
pah-REN-teh
/paˈrɛn.te/
Parente stresses REN: pah-REN-teh.
"Relative" in Italian: quick reference
| Italian | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| il/la parente | the relative One family member. | One family member. |
| i parenti | the relatives The wider family. | The wider family. |
| un parente lontano | a distant relative Loose connection. | Loose connection. |
| i genitori | the parents Not the same as parenti. | Not the same as parenti. |
How to use parente in real life
- 1Wedding
Arrivano tutti i parenti da fuori città.
All the relatives are arriving from out of town.
I parenti.
- 2Intro
Lui è un parente di mia madre.
He's a relative of my mother's.
Un parente.
- 3Sunday lunch
Una parente porta sempre la torta.
One relative always brings the cake.
Una parente.
Mistakes English speakers make with parente
Incorrect: I miei parenti vivono con me. (meaning parents)
Correct: I miei genitori vivono con me.
Parents are genitori; parenti are relatives.
Incorrect: È un relative mio.
Correct: È un parente mio.
Use parente.
Good to know
Italian gatherings swell with parenti—cousins, in-laws, aunts. Confusing parenti with genitori is a classic learner slip; natives will gently correct you.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Planning who comes to lunch
ChatPal
Quanti parenti vengono domenica?
How many relatives are coming Sunday?
You
Una decina. Un parente porta il vino.
About ten. One relative is bringing the wine.
ChatPal
Perfetto. I parenti di tuo padre arrivano prima?
Perfect. Are your father's relatives arriving earlier?
You
Sì, verso mezzogiorno.
Yes, around noon.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Relative" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Relative" in Italian
Parenti or genitori?
Genitori = parents. Parenti = relatives.
How do I say a relative?
Un parente / una parente.
Distant relative?
Un parente lontano.
In-laws?
I suoceri, or more broadly parenti acquisiti.
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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