My son has just started primary school.
'Elementare' = eh-leh-men-TAH-reh — five syllables. 'Appena' = ap-PEH-na — three syllables. Both are common and important words.
Share when talking to other parents or when the topic of children's development comes up. Starting school is a major milestone that resonates with any parent.
'Appena' = 'just' — used with the passato prossimo to indicate a very recent action. 'Ha iniziato' = 'has started' (passato prossimo of 'iniziare'). 'La scuola elementare' = primary school (ages 6-11 in Italy).
Mia figlia ha fatto il suo primo giorno di asilo.
My daughter had her first day of nursery.
'Asilo' (nursery/kindergarten) — first big step for Italian toddlers.
Mio figlio ha preso il diploma quest'anno.
My son got his diploma this year.
'Diploma' = high school diploma (maturità) — a major Italian rite of passage.
Mia figlia si è iscritta all'università a Bologna.
My daughter enrolled at university in Bologna.
University enrollment — another significant family milestone.
The first day of school ('primo giorno di scuola') is photographed, celebrated, and shared on social media by Italian parents. It is considered a rite of passage for the whole family, not just the child.