Since the day my son was born, I have speak to him in italian, despite not being a native speaker of the language. Now that he’s three (soon to be thirteen), I’ve become very familiar with the phrases we repeat to our kids all the time, whether we mean to or not!
In this article you will find fifty phrases that you can use immediately if you plan to start introducing Italian to your children (or grandchildren). I hope they are helpful!
notes: Throughout this article, I use the second person singular (you) and masculine endings (-o) to streamline content.Of course, you could also substitute you and plural butter and adjust the masculine ending to the corresponding feminine form (-A) as required.
10 Italian Phrases: Morning
Here are some set phrases that Italian parents often use when their children first wake up in the morning. In this collection, you’ll find a range of emotions – from warm greetings and affectionate phrases that express love and care, to fun encouragement that pushes children to take action.
Good morning darling!
Good morning darling!
did you sleep well?
did you sleep well?
It’s time to get up. We must prepare…
It’s time to get up. We need to prepare…
Come here, let me give you a kiss/hug.
Come here and I can give you a kiss/hug.
are you hungry? Have breakfast and let’s go.
are you hungry? Come on, let’s go have breakfast.
Do you want to pee?
Do you need to pee?
Let’s get dressed and go downstairs.
Let’s get dressed and go downstairs.
too early. We slept for another half hour.
too early. Let’s sleep for another half hour.
Yawn, are you still sleepy? Come here and I’ll pick you up.
Yawn, are you still sleepy? Come here and I’ll pick you up.
Wake up, it’s too late! It’s already seven o’clock!
Wake up, it’s too late! It’s already seven o’clock!
10 Italian Phrases: At the Table
Here we’ve collected some phrases you’ll often hear at breakfast, lunch or dinner when children are present.
Pasta is ready. on the table!
Pasta is ready. Come to the table!
Have you washed your hands? They are all dirty!
Have you washed your hands? They are all dirty!
A little hot. Do you want me to blow it?
A little hot. Do you want me to blow it?
Please eat/sit well.
Please eat/sit down.
If you eat five heads of broccoli, I’ll give you a cookie.
If you eat five slices of broccoli, I’ll give you a cookie.
Do you like it? Okay?
Do you like it? Okay?
Use a fork/spoon like a large fork/spoon.
Use a fork/spoon like a big kid.
Do you still want? Well, what’s the magic word??
Do you want more? Well, is there a magic word?
Is it enough? Are you not hungry anymore?
Have you had enough? Aren’t you hungry anymore?
Let me wash your face/hands before I come down. You’re all covered!
Let me wash your face/hands before you come down. You’re all covered!
10 Italian Phrases: Playtime
When playing with children, certain phrases tend to come up over and over again, regardless of the specific game being played.
Do you want to play…?
Do you want to play…?
Who’s next? Well, it’s your turn.
Whose turn is it? OK, now you.
We can play for ten minutes and then I have to…
We can play for ten minutes, but then I have to…
Let’s pretend we are…
Let’s pretend we are…
Are you tired of it? Let’s change the game.
Are you tired of (this game)? Let’s play a different game.
You must share toys.
We have to share our toys.
If you want to play other games, we need to put this game away first.
If you want to play other games, we need to put this game away first.
and It’s time to fix it. Where did these toys go?
It’s time to clean up. Where did these toys go?
Calm down, you’re too excited.
Calm down, you’re too excited.
We can play tomorrow if you want.
We can play (the game) tomorrow if you want.
10 Italian phrases for spending time outdoors
When we are outdoors with our children, our first priority is their enjoyment and safety, and these Italian phrases reflect those intentions.
Please extend your little hand when we cross the road.
Hold my hand as we cross the street.
Stay with mom. Don’t stray too far.
Stay with mom. Don’t go too far.
Are you hurt? Where? Now you have overcome this error.
Did you hurt yourself? Where? You’ll feel better soon.
Do you want to go to the park? We can play on the swings and slides.
Do you want to go to the park? We can go to the swings and slides.
Run to mom, come on! How fast are you?!
Come on, run to mom! See how fast you run!
Go and play by yourself for a while. Mom is here waiting for you.
Go and play by yourself for a while. Mom will be here waiting for you.
We have to go home in five minutes, okay?
In five minutes, we have to go home, okay?
We’re almost there.
We’re almost there.
Do you want me to carry you or do you want to walk?
Do you want me to carry you or do you want to walk?
you’re tired right? How about spending some time in the stroller?
You’re tired, aren’t you? How about a stroller ride for a while?
10 Italian Phrases: Bedtime Routine
At bedtime, our focus is on our nightly routine, including activities like brushing our teeth and the essential bedtime story.
and time Go to bed, my dear.
It’s time for bed, honey.
I know you don’t want to sleep, but it’s late.
I know you don’t want to sleep, but it’s late.
We must get up early tomorrow morning.
We must get up early tomorrow morning.
you want a good night kiss?
Do you want a goodnight kiss?
This is your bean. If you embrace Him, you won’t be afraid of the dark.
This is your stuffed toy. Hug him and you won’t be afraid of the dark.
Pee and brush your teeth.
Go pee and brush your teeth.
Let’s read a bedtime story.
Let’s read a bedtime story.
Let’s put on our pajamas. Can you dress yourself?
Let’s put on our pajamas. Can you dress yourself?
I will stay with you until you fall asleep.
I will stay with you until you fall asleep.
Good night, dear. Sweet dream.
Good night baby. Sweet dream.
Now that you have mastered these useful Italian phrases, why not try using them with your children? Good luck! Good luck!
