Bambini
/bamˈbiːni/noun
The plural of Italian bambino, meaning children or babies.
Did you know?Italian bambino is widely believed to come from expressive nursery speech, likely linked to the same childlike sound-pattern behind words like bambina and babbo, rather than a grand classical root.
Etymological Timeline
Modern English
English
bambini
“The Italian plural word used in English for children or babies.”
Modern Italian
Italian
bambini
“Plural of bambino, meaning children or babies.”
Late Medieval Italian
Italian
bambino
“A child, especially a small child or baby.”
Medieval Romance
Romance
bambino
“A child; a nursery or affectionate word for a little one.”
Earlier Italian expressive formation
Italian
bambo / babbo
“Baby-talk forms associated with a small child or father, depending on regional development.”