The most common Italian way to say “a little” is un po’. It can stand alone or come before di plus a noun: un po’ di pane (“a little bread”). The apostrophe marks the shortened form of poco; keep it in the standard spelling.
a little = un po’
a little water = un po’ d’acqua
Un Po’ and Un Pochino
Un po’ means “a little” or “a bit.” It is pronounced roughly oon poh, and the final vowel is open. Un pochino also means “a little bit” and can sound softer or more affectionate. The phrase does not change for masculine or feminine nouns.
Meaning: a little / a bit
Using Un Po’ Di
Before a noun, use un po’ di. The preposition di contracts with a following article when needed: un po’ di pane (“a little bread”), un po’ della torta (“a little of the cake”). Before a vowel, di commonly becomes d’: un po’ d’acqua (“a little water”).
A Little with Verbs and Adjectives
Use un po’ to soften a statement or describe a small amount: Sono un po’ stanco (“I’m a little tired”). For a larger amount, compare more in Italian. It can also follow a verb: Aspetta un po’ (“Wait a little”).
Examples
- Vorrei un po’ di latte. — I’d like a little milk.
- Puoi parlare un po’ più lentamente? — Can you speak a little more slowly?
- Oggi fa un po’ freddo. — It’s a little cold today.
- Mi dai un pochino di zucchero? — Can you give me a tiny bit of sugar?
Frequently Asked Questions About A Little in Italian
Tap a question below to see the answer.
How do you write un po’?
Write un po’ with an apostrophe; it is a shortened form of poco.
What does un po’ di mean?
Un po’ di means “a little of” or “some,” and comes before a noun.
Is un po’ masculine or feminine?
The phrase un po’ is invariable; it does not change with the noun’s gender.
Summary: A Little in Italian
Use un po’ for “a little” and un po’ di before a noun. Un pochino is another natural option for “a little bit.”
