I was born in Naples.
'Nato' = NAH-toh (male); 'nata' = NAH-ta (female). 'Napoli' = NAH-po-lee — stress on the first syllable.
Distinguish where you were born from where you currently live. Useful when you have moved from your hometown. In Italy, birthplace is a significant part of personal identity.
'Nascere' (to be born) is an irregular verb. Its past participle is 'nato/a' and it takes 'essere' in the passato prossimo. The past participle agrees with the subject's gender — 'nato' for male, 'nata' for female.
Sono cresciuto/a a Bari.
I grew up in Bari.
'Crescere' (to grow up) — past participle 'cresciuto/a.' Different from birthplace.
Vengo dal Sud Italia.
I come from Southern Italy.
Broader geographical identity — common when you prefer to identify regionally.
Le mie origini sono siciliane.
My origins are Sicilian.
'Le origini' (origins) — used for heritage, especially for people with immigrant backgrounds.
The phrase 'X di adozione' (adopted X) is a beloved Italian way to describe people who were not born in a city but have made it their home. It is warm and inclusive — never a second-class label.