A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "My parents live in" in Italian
Learn how to say where your parents live in Italian with this simple, natural phrase for casual and formal conversations.
I miei genitori vivono a...
ee MYEH-ee jen-i-TOH-ree VEE-vo-no ah...neutral
Italian TTS · 0:01
Use this when you are introducing yourself to new friends or colleagues and the topic of family comes up. It is the standard way to answer the question 'Dove vivono i tuoi?' during small talk at a dinner or a social gathering.
Alternatives
- I miei abitano a...A slightly more concise and common way to express residence.
- I miei genitori stanno a...Use this for a more informal, conversational tone.
Ways to get it wrong
Using 'genitori' incorrectly
Remember that 'genitori' is plural; do not try to use the singular 'genitore' unless you are speaking about only one parent.
Preposition confusion
Use 'a' for cities, but switch to 'in' if you are naming a country or a region.
A small cultural note
Italians often refer to their parents simply as 'i miei' (my ones) in casual conversation, which sounds more natural than repeating the full word 'genitori'.
Frequently asked
Do I use 'a' or 'in' for the city name?
You should always use 'a' when naming a specific city or town. Use 'in' only when you are referring to a country, a region, or a large geographical area.
Can I say 'miei genitori' without the 'I'?
In Italian, you almost always need the definite article 'I' before possessive adjectives when talking about family members. Omitting it will sound grammatically incomplete to a native speaker.
How do I ask where someone else's parents live?
You can ask 'Dove vivono i tuoi?' to be casual or 'Dove vivono i Suoi genitori?' if you want to be formal. The word 'tuoi' is the standard shorthand for 'your parents'.
