Diminutives and augmentatives are everywhere in casual, spoken Italian, so if you want to sound more natural or finally understand those fast-paced movie dialogues, they’re definitely worth getting familiar with.
Basically, they’re formed by adding a suffix to the end of a word to make it sound smaller, bigger, cuter, or more intense. But it’s not always that simple… Sometimes these endings don’t just change the size or tone, they can change the meaning entirely.
To make things even trickier, there’s no specific rulebook for which suffix goes with which word. So, to keep things simple, I’ll focus on some of the most common ones you’re likely to hear in everyday conversations. Just remember there are plenty more out there, and the best way to learn them is to keep listening, speaking, and soaking up the language as much as you can.
Forming diminutives in Italian
Diminutives typically suggest something smaller, but they’re just as often used to make things sound cuter, more affectionate, or a little more charming. In everyday Italian, we love using them to soften requests, take the edge off a statement, or simply add a touch of warmth and friendliness. You’ll find them not just in nouns, but also in adjectives and adverbs.
-ino/-ina, the most common diminutive suffix in Italian
attimo (moment) —> attimino (little moment)
We use attimino to say “just a sec” or even “a little bit,” depending on context.
Non ti sembra un attimino strano che abbia cambiato idea così in fretta?
Isn’t it a bit strange that she changed her mind so quickly?
bambola (doll) —> bambolina (little doll)
A bambolina is a small doll, but in everyday Italian, it’s often used as a term of affection for young girls, or playfully in romantic contexts. You might also hear it in less charming situations like catcalling, so context and tone really matter here.
Che bella tua figlia, è proprio una bambolina!
Your daughter is so beautiful, she’s just like a little doll!
bene (well) —> benino (non to well)
Benino is what we say when something didn’t go badly, but definitely didn’t go great either. Think of it as the Italian equivalent of “okay-ish.”
Come si mangia in quel nuovo ristorante? Benino, niente di eccezionale.
How’s the food at that new restaurant? Okay-ish, nothing special.
fidanzato/a (fiancé) —> fidanzatino/a (sweetheart)
We use fidanzatino/a to refer to a teenage boyfriend or girlfriend, implying a relationship that’s sweet but still casual.
A scuola avevo una fidanzatina che si chiamava Paola.
My sweetheart at school was named Paola.
freddo (cold) —> freddino (a bit chilly)
Freddino describes a chilly weather: not quite freezing, but definitely cool enough to wear a jacket.
Oggi fa freddino, ma c’è un bel sole.
It’s a bit chilly today, but the sun is out.
minuto (minute) —> minutino (little minute)
When we need a bit of extra time, we use this cute little word that literally sounds like “just a minute.” But in reality, a minutino is never just a minute: it’s more like a friendly way of saying, “Give me a bit longer…”
Ancora un minutino e ho finito!
Just one more little minute and I’m done!
nonno (grandfather)—> nonnino (grandpa/sweet old man)
Nonnino is a sweeter, more affectionate way to say grandfather, or it can also be used lovingly for a kind, old gentleman.
Conosci il signor Carlo, il nonnino che abita al terzo piano?
Do you know Mr. Carlo, the sweet old man who lives on the third floor?
piccolo (small) —> piccolino (very small/cute)
We use piccolino to describe something that’s objectively very small, but it often carries a sweet, affectionate vibe too. It’s also a popular term of endearment, whether you’re talking to a child or whispering to someone you love. For example, Sei la mia piccolina means “You’re my little one” or “my sweetie.”
Ho comprato una macchina piccolina perfetta per muoversi in città.
I bought a small car that’s perfect for getting around the city.
poco (little) —> pochino (a teeny bit)
Pochino is a way to make things sound even smaller or gentler. For example, while un po’ means “a bit” or “a small amount,” un pochino signals an even tinier quantity, like “just a tiny bit.”
Puoi alzare un pochino la voce, per favore? Non sento bene.
Can you raise your voice just a little bit, please? I can’t hear well.
presto (soon, early) —> prestino (somewhat early)
We use prestino to make presto sound a little less urgent.
Domani dobbiamo svegliarci prestino se vogliamo evitare le code in autostrada.
Tomorrow we need to wake up kind of early if we want to avoid traffic on the highway.
ragazzo/a (boy/girl) —> ragazzino/a (kid / immature person)
Ragazzino can mean a young boy or kid, but it’s also used to describe someone acting immature or childish in spite of his/her adult age.
Matteo è proprio un ragazzino, non crescerà mai!
Matteo is such a kid, he’ll never grow up!
stupido/a (stupid) —> stupidino/a (silly)
Stupidino/a is a gentle scolding word for kids, a playful or affectionate way to say they’re acting a bit silly or not very smart.
Elena smettila di fare la stupidina, vieni qui a mangiare!
Elena, stop being such a silly girl and come eat!
tanto (a lot, very) —> tantino (a bit / slightly)
Tantino tones down the intensity of tanto, adding a softer, more playful touch. You’ll often find it paired with adjectives in the expression un tantino + adjective, such as:
La borsa è di buona qualità, ma mi sembra un tantino cara.
The bag is good quality, but it seems just a little pricey to me.
tardi (late) —> tardino (kind of late)
Tardino is another softener, making the delay sound less serious or harsh.
Il concerto finirà tardino, è meglio prenotare un taxi.
The concert will end kind of late, we’d better book a taxi.
Sometimes you’ll come across words where the suffix -ino/-ina is preceded by -ic- or -ol-, for example:
cane (dog) —> cagnolino/a (little dog / cutie pup)
Cagnolino/a could be a small dog or just an adorable one.
Sandra ha adottato un cagnolino, è dolcissimo!
Sandra adopted a little dog, he’s so sweet!
posto (place/spot) —> posticino (tiny/cute spot)
We use posticino to talk about any small spot, whether it’s literally tiny or just cozy and charming.
Abbiamo trovato un posticino che fa una pizza buonissima.
We found this little spot that makes amazing pizza.
sconto (discount) —> sconticino (little discount)
Sconticino is the word to keep in mind when you want to ask for a discount in a sweeter, more charming way, perfect for haggling at the market!
Se ne prendiamo tre, ci fa uno sconticino?
If we take three, can you give us a little discount?
sasso (rock) —> sassolino (pebble)
Literal meaning aside, sassolino appears in a very common idiom: togliersi un sassolino dalla scarpa, which is the equivalent of “getting something off your chest” in English. The phrase even inspired a catchy tune by Natalino Otto back in the 1960s (give it a listen here!).
Sotto casa, c’è una bella spiaggia di sassolini bianchi.
Just outside the house, there’s a lovely beach with white pebbles.
-etto/-etta is another common diminutive suffix in Italian, but it’s more about making words sweeter, softer, or more familiar.
bacio (kiss) —> bacetto (little kiss)
Bacetto is a tender little word often used with children, or anytime you want a kiss to sound especially sweet and affectionate.
Vieni a dare un bacetto alla zia!
Come give your auntie a little kiss!
birra (beer) —> birretta (quick beer)
Saying birretta instead of birra gives the word a warm, laid-back feel. It’s not just a simple beer, it’s that cozy, friendly moment shared with good company.
Ti va una birretta?
Want to grab a quick beer?
casa (house) —> casetta (little house/sweet home)
Literally, casetta means a small house, but it often carries a deeper sense of warmth and coziness. You’ll also hear it often at Christmas markets, where the festive stalls are designed as tiny huts.
Non vediamo l’ora di trasferirci nella nostra nuova casetta.
We can’t wait to move into our new little house.
chiesa (church) —> chiesetta (little church, chapel)
Italy is dotted with countless beautiful little churches, and chiesetta is what you’ll often hear when exploring quaint towns.
La chiesetta del paese è famosa per i suoi affreschi antichi.
The village chapel is famous for its ancient frescoes.
dolce (sweet treat) —> dolcetto (little sweet / cheat treat)
Dolcetto is a little sweet treat you can’t resist sneaking, even when you’re trying to stick to your diet. We also use it in the classic Halloween phrase: Dolcetto o scherzetto? (Trick or treat?).
Dopo cena mi concedo sempre un dolcetto.
After dinner, I always indulge in a little sweet treat.
gioco (game/toy) —> giochetto (little game/trick)
Depending on the context, giochetto can refer to a simple, easy game or a sneaky trick.
Falla finita con questi giochetti!
Cut it out with these little games!
lavoro (job) —> lavoretto (little job)
Lavoretto can mean a small job or odd task, like a summer gig or casual work that’s lightly paid. It’s also commonly used to describe the little projects or assignments children do at school.
Mia figlia sta cercando un lavoretto per mettere da parte qualche soldo.
My daughter is looking for a little job to save some money.
maschio (man) —> maschietto (little boy/baby boy)
Maschio is a sweet word to refer to baby boys or in pregnancy announcements to share the exciting news of expecting a boy.
Aspettiamo un maschietto, nascerà a maggio!
We’re expecting a baby boy, he’s due in May!
negozio (shop) —> negozietto (little shop)
A negozietto is a cozy, well-stocked neighbourhood store where you always find what you need (and maybe a friendly chat too!).
Sotto casa ci sono tanti bei negozietti di alimentari.
There are lots of lovely little grocery shops near my place.
ora (hour) —> oretta (roughly an hour)
Oretta is a laid-back, vague way to say “about an hour,” like the English “an hour-ish.” Just remember that an oretta usually stretches past the 60-minute mark, so when an Italian says it, get ready to wait just a little (or maybe a lot!).
Ti raggiungo al bar tra un’oretta.
I’ll meet you at the bar in about an hour.
pezzo (piece) —> pezzetto (small piece)
We use pezzetto to indicate a small piece or portion of something. To put it simply, while un pezzo means a regular-sized piece, un pezzetto is a tiny little bite or chunk.
Vorrei anche un pezzetto di quella torta al cioccolato, per favore.
I’d like a little piece of that chocolate cake too, please.
tesoro (treasure) —> tesoretto (little treasure/money reserve)
The word tesoretto refers to a small stash of money, and it’s often used in journalism to talk about unexpected funds that pop up just when you need them most.
Il ministro ha a disposizione un tesoretto da 2 miliardi lasciato in eredità dal precedente governo.
The minister has a 2-billion-euro surplus inherited from the previous government.
vecchio (old man) —> vecchietto (little old man)
Vecchietto is an affectionate term for small or frail elderly men, or just those charming old-timers you often see hanging out at the park, playing cards and sharing stories.
In estate i vecchietti del paese si ritrovano al parco a giocare a carte.
In the summer, the old guys from the village gather in the park to play cards.
It can also be used jokingly among friends who are “starting to feel their age,” like in this example:
Ti stai facendo vecchietto, non riesci più a reggere una serata di festa come una volta!
You’re getting old; you can’t handle a party night like you used to!
The suffix -ello/-ella is mostly used to add a sweet or endearing tone, but depending on the context, it can also carry a hint of irony or even gentle mockery.
albero (tree) —> alberello (sapling)
Alberello is generally used in a sweet, affectionate way to describe a young or small tree, but it can also be used playfully, especially when you’re expecting a majestic park and end up with a couple little plants instead.
Ci aspettavamo una bella pineta e abbiamo trovato tre alberelli in croce.
We were expecting a nice pine grove and found three scrawny little trees.
cattivo (bad) —> cattivello (naughty)
We use cattivello as a playful way to describe someone (usually a child) who’s being a little naughty or cheeky, but not really bad. It’s the kind of “bad” that comes with a smirk, not a scolding.
Niente caramelle a Marco, oggi è stato un po’ cattivello con sua sorella!
No candies for Marco, he’s been a bit naughty with his sister today!
paese (village) —> paesello (sleepy village/small hometown)
Paesello is an affectionate term for that kind of small town where life moves at its own slow pace and nothing much ever happens. It can also refer to that cozy, familiar hometown where you grew up and everyone knows your name.
Ogni anno a Natale tornano al paesello per una settimana.
Every year at Christmas, they return to their small hometown for a week.
storia (story) —> storiella (little story/fib/fling)
Storiella can mean a short story, a little joke, a flimsy excuse, or even a casual romantic fling – it all depends on the context!
Smettila di raccontarmi storielle, voglio sapere dove sei stato!
Stop feeding me little stories, I want to know where you really were!
vino (wine) —> vinello (light wine / not-so-great wine)
Depending on the tone, vinello might describe a pleasant, easy-drinking wine or just a weak, forgettable one.
Ieri a cena ci hanno fatto assaggiare un vinello locale buonissimo!
At dinner yesterday they served us a lovely little local wine!
Sometimes, the suffix -ello/-ella is preceded by -ic or -er, creating even cuter words, for examples:
grande (big, grown up) —> grandicello (sort of big, kinda grown-up)
Grandicello is that in-between stage where children aren’t babies anymore but not quite “big kids” either. We use it in a sweet way to say, “Hey, you’re growing up!”
Adesso che i ragazzi sono grandicelli, possiamo finalmente fare un viaggio tutti insieme.
Now that the kids are a bit more grown up, we can finally take a trip all together.
vento (wind) —> venticello (light breeze)
Venticello is a handy word to know when chatting about the weather. It refers to the kind of pleasant breeze that cools you down on a hot day and feels just right.
Senti che bel venticello, ci voleva proprio dopo tutto quel caldo!
Feel that lovely little breeze, it’s just what we needed after all that heat!
fuoco (fire) —> fuocherello (small fire)
Literally, fuocherello means a little campfire, but it’s often used in a playful context, especially with children’s games, and in the Italian version of the “hot and cold” game, where we say acqua, fuochino, and fuocherello to mean you’re getting close!
Durante il campeggio accendevamo sempre un fuocherello per scaldarci la sera.
While camping, we’d always light a little fire in the evening to keep warm.
The suffix -uccio/-uccia usually adds a warm and cozy vibe to words, but in some cases, it can carry a slightly negative or teasing edge.
avvocato (lawyer) —> avvocatuccio (wannabe lawyer)
When we want to describe a lawyer who’s a bit inexperienced or whose skills we doubt, we say avvocatuccio. Definitely not a compliment!
Se vuoi vincere la causa, ti serve un avvocato vero, non quell’avvocatuccio.
If you want to win the case, you need a real lawyer, not that little hack.
caldo (heat) —> calduccio (cozy warmth)
Calduccio is all about feeling cozy and comfy, particularly in the expression stare al calduccio, which means being warm and snug.
Non mi sento bene, resto a letto al calduccio.
I’m not feeling well, I’ll stay cozy in bed.
cosa (thing) —> cosuccia (little thing)
Cosuccia is a cute word to talk about something small, generally a tiny gift, a small detail, or a little thing that’s not a big deal but still sweet or nice.
Ti ho comprato una cosuccia, spero che ti piaccia.
I got you a little something, hope you like it.
tesoro (darling) —> tesoruccio (little darling)
Tesoruccio a super sweet and affectionate term used between lovers or close family members. You might also hear tesorino, which means pretty much the same thing, but tesoruccio often sounds cuter and more tender. It usually stays the same for both guys and girls, changing only when you talk about more than one.
Tesoruccio, mi passi il giornale per favore?
Sweetheart, can you pass me the paper, please?
femmina (female) —> femminuccia (little girl)
Most commonly, femminuccia is used affectionately when someone is expecting a baby girl.
Marta ha partorito una bella femminuccia!
Marta gave birth to a beautiful little girl!
But it can also (unfortunately) be used in a pejorative way to criticise guys who are seen as not being “manly” enough.
Smettila di piangere come una femminuccia!
Stop crying like a little girl!
mezzo (means) —> mezzuccio (cheap trick / dirty tactic)
Mezzuccio refers to a sneaky way of doing something, typically implying a shortcut that’s dishonest, clumsy, or simply not very effective.
Mi aspettavo più correttezza da loro, non questi mezzucci da quattro soldi.
I expected more integrity from them, not these pathetic little tricks.
The diminutive suffix -uzzo/-uzza is another sweet way to express smallness, familiarity, or affection, especially common in Southern Italian dialects.
pietra (stone) —> pietruzza (little stone)
Pietruzza is often used when describing nature or landscapes, adding a touch of poetry or affection.
I bambini mi hanno regalato un braccialetto fatto con pietrucce colorate.
The kids gave me a bracelet made with little colorful stones.
via (road) —> viuzza (little road)
A viuzza is not just a narrow street; it’s usually a charming, winding little alley tucked into historic towns and villages, often leading to picture-perfect corners that beg to be photographed.
Amo passeggiare la sera tra le viuzze illuminate del borgo.
I love evening walks through the village’s little alleyways, all lit up.
santa (saint) —> santuzza (little saint)
Santuzza is a term of endearment, especially popular in Sicily, where it’s famously associated with Santa Rosalia, the beloved patron saint of Palermo. It’s also frequently used as a nickname for women named Santa.
Durante la festa, portano la statua della Santuzza in processione per le strade della città.
During the festival, they carry the statue of the Santuzza in a procession through the city streets.
Forming augmentatives in Italian
Augmentative forms in Italian can highlight that something is physically large, but they’re also useful to praise, criticise, or even tease with a touch of irony.
-one/-ona, the most common augmentative suffix in Italian
goloso/a (greedy for sweets) —> golosone/a (big sweet tooth)
Golosone is a fun, playful way to describe someone who can’t get enough of sweets and treats.
Sergio è proprio un golosone, mangerebbe solo pane e Nutella!
Sergio’s such a sweet tooth, he’d live on bread and Nutella!
naso (nose) —> nasone (big nose)
Nasone refers to a big, prominent nose, but funnily enough, in Rome, nasoni are also the iconic public drinking fountains with curved spouts that look just like giant noses!
Luigi ha un nasone che si nota subito, ma gli dona carattere.
Luigi has a big nose that stands out, but it gives him character.
professore (professor) —> professorone (big-name professor / know-it-all)
We call professorone a respected, authoritative professor or jokingly, someone who acts like they know everything.
Quando si parla di politica, diventano tutti professoroni.
When it comes to politics, everyone acts like a know-it-all.
piatto (plate) —> piattone (big plate / big portion)
Piattone is a fun word to describe a big, generous plateful of food.
Oggi ho mangiato un piattone di pasta al ragù!
Today, I had a huge plate of pasta with ragù sauce!
successo (success) —> successone (big success)
We use successone as a casual way to emphasise something was a massive success.
Quest’anno, la festa di Natale dell’ufficio è stata un vero successone!
This year, the office Christmas party was a big success!
In some cases,, the suffix -one/-ona is preceded by -acchi- or -acci-, giving the words a playful vibe. For example:
furbo/a (cunning) —> furbacchione/a (old fox)
Furbacchione describes someone who’s really clever and a bit sneaky, often in a fun or cheeky way.
Quei furbacchioni sanno sempre come cavarsela senza farsi beccare!
Those old foxes always know how to get away without getting caught!
matto/a (crazy) —> mattacchione/a (clown/joker)
We say mattacchione when talking about someone who’s always cheerful and loves joking around.
Renato è proprio un mattacchione, con lui si ride sempre.
Renato’s such a joker, he always keeps everyone laughing.
buono/a (good, nice) —> bonaccione/a (gentle soul / big softie)
Bonaccione describes a really kind-hearted, gentle person with a good nature. Depending on how it’s said, it can also hint that they’re a bit naive or too trusting.
Tua cugina è una bonacciona, non farebbe del male a una mosca!
Your cousin is such a gentle soul, she wouldn’t hurt a fly!
Gender shifts with Italian diminutives and augmentatives
Sometimes, when you add a diminutive or augmentative suffix in Italian, the gender of the noun changes too. This usually happens when a feminine word takes on a masculine ending like -one or -ino. Here are some common examples:
una barca (boat) —> un barcone (a big, often bulky boat) OR un barchino (a little boat, like a dinghy)
I migranti hanno viaggiato per giorni a bordo di un barcone.
The migrants traveled for days on a large, crowded boat.
una donna (a woman) —> un donnone (a big, strong woman) OR un donnino (a delicate, dainty woman or a little girl beginning to grow up and take on adult traits)
Nonostante abbia solo due anni, si comporta già come un vero donnino!
Although she’s only two years old, she already behaves like a little lady!
una febbre (fever) —> un febbrone (high, intense fever)
Ieri sera mi è venuto un febbrone da cavallo, sono stata malissimo.
Last night I came down with a raging fever, I felt absolutely awful.
una macchina (car) —> un macchinone (big, fancy car)
Se ne va in giro con un macchinone nuovo fiammante.
He drives around in a flashy new car.
un palazzo (building/palace) —> una palazzina (a small, typically residential building, often with just a few floors)
I genitori di Chiara abitano in una palazzina di tre piani.
Chiara’s parents live in a small three-story apartment building.
una strada (street/road) —> uno stradone (a wide avenue)
Aspetta sempre il verde prima di attraversare lo stradone, è molto trafficato.
Always wait for the green light before crossing the avenue, it’s very busy.
una tasca (pocket) —> un taschino (small pocket/breast pocket)
Il nonno teneva sempre gli occhiali nel taschino.
Grandpa always kept his glasses in his breast pocket.
una testa (head) —> un testone ( big head – literal or metaphorical, as in stubborn)
È proprio un testone, non ascolta mai nessuno!
He’s such a stubborn guy, he never listens to anyone!
una villa (villa) —> un villino (a small, charming villa or cottage)
Abbiamo passato le vacanze in un bel villino vicino al mare.
We spent the holidays in a cute, small villa near the sea.
una voce (voice) —> un vocione (a big, loud voice)
Hai un vocione che si sente fino all’ultimo piano!
You have a big, loud voice we can hear all the way to the top floor!
Valentina Nicastro is a travel writer in love with her home country, Italy. Having travelled widely around the globe, she realised there was more to explore closer to home and decided to put the passport aside for a while. When she is not immersed in documenting Italy, you’ll find her donning her communication consultant hat, weaving words as a content writer and bridging linguistic divides as a translator.
