francesi

Francesi is the Italian plural demonym for people from France. The singular form is francese; the masculine plural is i francesi, and the feminine plural is le francesi. The term derives from Francia, the Italian name for the land of the Franks. In contemporary Italian, francesi refers to citizens of France, and it also serves as an adjective for plural nouns of French origin, as in vini francesi or prodotti francesi. The corresponding singular adjective is francese, and the country name is Francia.

Historically and culturally, the word appears in Italian texts to describe France and its people in diplomatic, literary, and journalistic contexts. Italy’s long border and shared history with France have fostered extensive exchange in art, cuisine, politics, and science, which is reflected in the regular usage of francesi in discussions of Franco-Italian relations and Franco-Italian culture.

The term carries no inherent political stance beyond its standard demonym meaning, though tone can vary with context, as with any national demonym.

Francesi is also a surname in Italy, and as such may appear in biographical references to individuals with Italian ancestry.