famiglia

/faˈmiʎʎa/
nounBeginner family
formalinformal

A group of people related by blood, marriage, or other close relationships, typically living together in a household.

Abbiamo invitato tutta la famiglia per la cena.

We invited the whole family for dinner.

La famiglia è al centro della nostra cultura.

Family is at the center of our culture.

💡

In Italian, 'famiglia' can also refer to a group of people with a common purpose or interest, similar to 'team' or 'group'.

Collocations

famiglia allargataextended familyfamiglia nuclearenuclear familyfamiglia d'originefamily of origin

Related Phrases

essere una famigliaphrase
to be like a family

💡Pro Tip

Formal vs. Informal Use

'Famiglia' is used in both formal and informal contexts, but in formal settings, it may refer to a broader concept of family, including extended relatives.

Gold Rule

Gender Agreement

The adjective 'famiglia' is feminine, so any adjectives describing it must agree in gender and number (e.g., 'una famiglia felice').

📖Word Origin

From Latin 'familia', meaning 'household' or 'servants of a household'. The term evolved to include the modern concept of family in Italian.

📝Usage Notes

In Italian, 'famiglia' is often used in a broader sense than in English, sometimes referring to close friends or associates as if they were family.

Word Breakdown

fam-
household
root
+
-iglia
group
suffix
Dizionario Italiano-Inglese