69 Cute Terms of Endearment in Italian and Italian Nicknames + 📚 FREE PDF Cheat-Sheet

Example: “Mi manchi amore mio” (I miss you, my love).

Example: “Ci vediamo domani amore mio bellissimo” (I’ll see you tomorrow my beautiful love).

Example: “Ti amo, amore della mia vita” (I love you, love of my life)

Learn other ways to say I love you in Italian here

Example: “Cosa ti piacerebbe fare il prossimo weekend, amorino?” (What would you like to do next weekend, my little love?).

Example: “Amo aspettami, scendo tra un minuto” (Love, wait, I’ll be down in a minute).

Example: “Con te, ogni giorno è una nuova avventura anima mia” (With you, every day is a new adventure, my soul).

Example: “Ti amo bambolina, farei qualsiasi cosa per te” (I love you, sweetheart, I’d do anything for you).

Example: “Amore mio, sei una bellezza!” (Love, you are a beauty!).

Example: “Mi manchi. Quando ci vediamo, bellissima? (I miss you. When can we meet up, beautiful?)

Example: “Bimba, sei dolcissima” (Baby, you’re so sweet).

For example: “Cara, che ne dici se andiamo via per il weekend?” (Dear, how about we go away this weekend?).

Tip: “Caro” is also an adjective in Italian which means “dear” or “expensive”.

“Ciccino, com’è andato l’esame?” (Darling, how did the exam go?)

Example: “Non vedo l’ora di passare la serata insieme, cucciola mia” (I can’t wait to spend the evening together, sweetheart).

Example: “Cuore mio, ogni momento con te è prezioso” (My heart, every moment with you is precious).

For example: “Buongiorno, dolcezza!” (Good morning, sweetie!).

Example: “Quanto sei speciale, gioia mia” (How special you are, my joy).

For example: “Oggi la mia dolce metà ha deciso di cucinare, aiuto!” (Today, my better half decided to cook – help!).

Example: “Ti amo Anna, sei la luce dei miei occhi” (I love you Anna, you’re the apple of my eye).

Example: “Sei il mio patato, ti adoro” (You’re my sweetheart, I adore you). A quick heads up: “patata” and “patatina” are also vulgar terms for female genitalia, so be cautious how to use it. You wouldn’t want your special lady to be offended!

Example: “Tutto bene, piccola?” (Is everything okay, baby?).

“Tato” and “Tata” are cute and cheesy Italian nicknames that couples love using for each other. There’s also “Tatino” or “Tatina” which makes it a bit more cheesy.

Example: “Tato, ti amo più di ogni altra cosa al mondo” (Darling, I love you more than anything else in the world).

Example: “Tesoro, ti va una pizza stasera?” (Darling, want to grab some pizza tonight?).

Example: “Grazie per essere sempre al mio fianco, vita mia” (Thank you for always being by my side, my life).

Example: “Amore a tavola, è pronto!” (Dinner’s ready, love!).

Example: “Ciao cugi, come stai?” (Hey cuz, how are you?)

Example: “Hai detto alla nonna che domani andiamo a trovare i cuginetti?” (Have you told grandma that tomorrow we’re going to visit the little cousins?).

Example: “Ho preparato una sorpresa speciale per il compleanno del mio fratellino” (I’ve prepared a special surprise for my little brother’s birthday).

For instance: “Fratellone, sei il numero uno” (Big brother, you’re number one).

Example: “Ma’, stasera esco” (Mum, I’m going out tonight).

Example: “Domani arriva la mia nipotina da Londra” (Tomorrow my little niece is coming from London).

Example: “Nonnino, posso stare qui con te?” (Grandpa, can I stay here with you?).

Examples: “Pa’, mi presti 5 euro?” (Dad, can I borrow 5 euros?); “Il mio papino mi porta sempre a pesca” (My daddy always takes me fishing).

For example: “Mi spiace sorellina, sei troppo piccola per uscire con noi” (Sorry sis, you’re too young to go out with us).

Example: “Non so come farei senza la mia sorellona” (I don’t know what I would do without my big sister).

Example: “Che c’è che non va, tesoro?” (What’s wrong, sweetheart?).

Example: “Zietta, quando mi porti a Disneyland?” (Auntie, when are we going to Disneyland?).

Example: “Guarda quanto sei bello, amore di mamma!” (Look how beautiful you are, sweetheart!).

Example: “I nostri angioletti sono di là che dormono” (Our little angels are sleeping in the other room).

Example: “Attila si è svegliato, preparati!” (Attila is awake, brace yourself!).

For instance: “Quei birbantelli dei miei nipoti hanno mangiato tutte le caramelle!” (My grandkids, those little rascals, ate all the candies/lollies/sweets!).

Example: “Sei proprio una caccona, Laura, quanto mi costi in pannolini!” (You’re such a little pooper, Laura, how much you cost me in diapers!).

Example: “Luca è proprio un diavoletto, non sta fermo un attimo” (Luca is truly a little devil; he never stays still for a moment).

Example: “Hai fame, gioia mia?” (Are you hungry, my joy?).

Example: “Brava piccolina, sei tutta papà!” (Good job, little girl, you’re all daddy’s).

Example: “Cosa vuole per colazione il principino?” (What does the little prince want for breakfast?).

Example: “Luca è un pupetto così simpatico!” (Luca is such an amusing little fellow!).

Example: “Vieni qui scricciolo, mangia qualcosa” (Come here, little one, eat something). This term is also used in a common Italian expression, “mangiare come uno scricciolo” (to eat very little).

Example: “Sara è un terremoto, non sta ferma un attimo!” (Sara is a little earthquake, she never stays still for a moment!).

Example: “Bro, a che ora arrivi?” (Dude, what time are you coming?).

For example: “Amo, come sto?” (Honey, how do I look?).

For example: “Bella Sandro!” (Hey Sandro!)

Example: “Quei cuori di Anna e Paolo mi hanno ospitato a casa loro la scorsa settimana” (My dear friends Anna e Paolo had me over at their place last week).

For example: “Sei proprio una gnocca stasera, Anna!” (You’re super attractive tonight, Anna!).

Attenzione! Just a heads up: it’s best to use the word “gnocca” or “gnocco” in a playful way, but only with close friends. It can come across as pretty vulgar if you say it to someone you don’t know well or to a stranger on the street.

Example: “Grande Ale, quando sei arrivato?” (Hey Ale, when did you arrive?).

Example: “Io e moglie andiamo al cinema stasera” (My bestie and I are going to the cinema tonight).

Example: “Raga, che facciamo quest’estate?” (Guys, what’s the plan for this summer?).

For example: “Io e la mia socia veniamo di sicuro alla festa” (Me and my buddy will definitely be coming to the party).

Example: “Tesora, grazie ancora per avermi retto il gioco ieri, sei la migliore!” (Honey, thanks again for covering my back yesterday, you’re the best!).

For example, “No zia, non ci sto dentro” (No mate, I can’t handle it). Another very popular expression is “Bella zio/a,” which roughly means “Hey, cool/fantastic, dude/girl.”

Example: “Che ti senti cucciolina mia, hai la febbre?” (How are you feeling, my little darling? Do you have a fever?).

Example: “Orsacchiotta, è ora di andare a nanna” (Hey little teddy bear, it’s bedtime now).

Example: “Passerotto della nonna, vieni che ti porto a comprare il gelato” (Grandma’s little birdie, come with me, I’ll treat you to some ice-cream).

xample: “Marco e Giulia sono sempre insieme, dei veri piccioncini!” (Marco and Giulia are always together, such lovebirds!). What’s fascinating is that the nickname stems from the behavior of pigeons, who are known to stay loyal to their partners for life and always coo when they’re together.

Example: “Il nostro pesciolino adora il mare” (Our little fish adores the sea).

Example: “Sei la nostra piccola scimmietta” (You are our little monkey).

Sometimes it’s also used by couples. Attenzione! Be extra cautious when addressing adults or individuals from different ethnic backgrounds with this term, as it can be potentially perceived as offensive or interpreted as a racially insensitive remark.

Example: “Non vedo l’ora di stare con te stasera, topino” (“I can’t wait to be with you tonight, my little mouse).

For instance: “Gattina, mi fai impazzire!” (Kitty, you drive me crazy!)

Example: “Oggi è il primo compleanno del mio pulcino!” (Today is my little chick’s first birthday!).