A1NounMasculine
lo zio
uncle
/DZEE-oh/
Plural: zii
Test Yourself
What does ‘zio’ mean in English?
Examples in Context
Mio zio vive a New York da molti anni.
My uncle has lived in New York for many years.
Gli zii vengono sempre a cena il sabato sera.
The aunts and uncles always come to dinner on Saturday evenings.
About This Word
Zio takes 'lo' (not 'il') because it begins with z. Gli zii (plural) can mean 'the uncles' or 'the uncle and aunt' together. The informal 'zio!' is also used among friends meaning 'mate/dude'.
Related Words
ziacuginonipoteparentefamiglia