sorella

Sorella is the standard Italian noun meaning sister. It refers to a female sibling and is used to address or describe one's sister in everyday language. In religious contexts, sorella is also used as a formal title for a nun, translated as "Sister" in English.

The word derives from the Latin soror. The feminine form sorella forms the plural sorelle. Common diminutives and related terms include sorellina (little sister) and sorellona (big sister). A female stepsister is typically called sorellastra, while the male counterpart is fratellastro.

In contemporary Italian, sorella is used for biological siblings, but it can also function metaphorically to refer to a close female friend or a fellow member in a group, signaling warmth and solidarity. The term appears in families, literature, and media as a familiar expression of kinship or camaraderie.

In religious and ecclesiastical contexts, the usage remains prominent, with nuns addressed as sorelle in community life and formal communications. The word thus covers both literal kinship and broader social bonds, anchoring it as a common and versatile term in Italian.