You’re showing a photo on your phone and want to say, “This is my mom, and this is my brother.” In Italian, that’s easy and sounds great! Today you’ll learn the key words and patterns to introduce your family: “Questo/Questa è…”, possessives like “mio/mia”, and how to say names with “si chiama…”. Short, friendly, and very useful.

Essential family words you’ll actually use

Let’s start with the people you’re most likely to introduce. Notice the masculine/feminine forms.

Questo mio padre.

Quick note on sound and gender

• “Questo è…” goes with masculine nouns (padre, fratello, zio, nonno).
• “Questa è…” goes with feminine nouns (madre, sorella, zia, nonna).
• For plural: “Questi sono…” (masculine or mixed group), “Queste sono…” (all feminine).

Questa è sorella.

il mio padre → mio padre No article with singular family nouns (except with ‘loro’). loro padre → il loro padre ‘loro’ always takes the article (singular and plural).

“This is…” and “These are…” in action

Use the pattern:

• Questo è + masculine singular: “Questo è mio fratello.”
• Questa è + feminine singular: “Questa è mia madre.”
• Questi sono + plural (mixed/masc.): “Questi sono i miei cugini.”
• Queste sono + plural (fem.): “Queste sono le mie zie.”

Saying names with “chiamarsi”

To tell someone’s name, Italians use the reflexive verb “chiamarsi”.

• Mi chiamo… (My name is…)
• Si chiama… (His/Her name is…)
• Si chiamano… (Their names are…)

You’ll say: “Questo è mio padre. Si chiama Carlo.”

Si Maria.

Mini-dialogue practice

Put the conversation in the right order. Imagine two friends at a party, looking at a photo.

Quick check: do you have the feel?

Choose the best answer in each case.

Culture & politeness notes

• In everyday speech, Italians often say “mamma” and “papà” instead of “madre” and “padre”. Both are fine; “mamma/papà” sound warmer.
• When introducing someone face to face, add “Piacere!” (Nice to meet you!).
• It’s common to show affection when introducing family. Smiles and short compliments like “Che bella famiglia!” (What a lovely family!) are polite.
• In some families and regions, children may call close family friends “zio/zia” (uncle/aunt) as a sign of affection—don’t be surprised!

Put it all together: useful mini-phrases

• Questo è mio padre. Si chiama Carlo.
• Questa è mia madre. Si chiama Paola.
• Questi sono i miei genitori.
• Questa è mia sorella, Anna.
• Lui è mio fratello. Vive a Torino.
• Ho due cugini. Questi sono i miei cugini.

Use these like building blocks: point, say “Questo/Questa è…”, add “mio/mia…”, and, if you like, “Si chiama…” with the name.

One more quick practice

Questi i miei cugini.

Summary & your turn

• Vocabulary: padre/madre, fratello/sorella, nonno/nonna, zio/zia, cugino/cugina, figlio/figlia, genitori, famiglia.
• Structures: “Questo/Questa è…”, “Questi/Queste sono…”, possessives (mio/mia/miei/mie), and names with “si chiama…/mi chiamo…”.
• Rule of thumb: singular family = no article (mio padre), plural family = article + possessive (i miei genitori). ‘loro’ always takes the article.

Try these prompts aloud or write them:

1. Show a photo of two people and say who they are.
2. Introduce your mother or father and say their name.
3. Introduce at least one sibling and one grandparent.

Keep it simple, smile, and repeat the patterns. With a few tries, “Questo è mio padre. Si chiama Carlo.” will feel natural. Bravissimo/a!