ragazzina

Ragazzina is an Italian noun meaning a young girl. It is the feminine diminutive form of ragazza, built with the suffix -ina, and its standard plural is ragazzine. The term is used to refer to a child or adolescent girl, with nuance of smallness or affectionate regard, depending on context and tone.

Usage notes: In neutral or affectionate speech, ragazzina designates a girl in a family or social setting. It can appear in literature and media to evoke youth or tenderness. In some contexts its tone can be patronizing or infantilizing if spoken to an adult woman or with a diminutive manner, so speaker intent and social context matter. It contrasts with ragazza, which can refer to a girl or young woman without the same emphasis on youth. Related masculine form: ragazzino; the plural forms are ragazzine (feminine) and ragazzini (masculine). The word is widely understood across Italian-speaking regions, though regional preferences may alter connotations.

Ragazzina is commonly used in everyday speech, family settings, and cultural works to evoke youth or affection. It is generally avoided in formal contexts or when addressing or describing adult women in a way that could be perceived as belittling.