Meaning · noun
citizen
- resident of a town or city
In a sentence
Ogni cittadino deve avere un documento valido.
Every citizen must have a valid ID.
Sei cittadino italiano o hai un altro passaporto?
Are you an Italian citizen or do you have another passport?
I cittadini del paese hanno pulito la piazza.
The townspeople cleaned the square.
Word forms (2)
| Word | Word forms |
|---|
| cittadino | masculine · singular |
| cittadini | masculine · plural |
Usage notes
- Use 'cittadino' for legal citizenship; 'abitante' for someone living in a city without legal ties.
- Avoid 'cittadino' for 'city'—use 'città' instead. Common mistake by English speakers.
- Plural: 'cittadini' (masc.) or 'cittadine' (fem.). Agreement matters in formal writing.
Meaning · adjective
urban; civic
In a sentence
Il parco cittadino è pieno di bambini oggi.
The city park is full of children today.
Hai già visto il nuovo autobus cittadino?
Have you already seen the new city bus?
Non mi piace il traffico cittadino la sera.
I don't like city traffic in the evening.
Word forms (4)
| Word | Word forms |
|---|
| cittadino | masculine · singular |
| cittadina | feminine · singular |
| cittadini | masculine · plural |
| cittadine | feminine · plural |
Usage notes
- As an adjective, it usually follows the noun: trasporto cittadino, vita cittadina. Before the noun is rarer and more literary.
- Don't confuse adjective cittadino with noun cittadino/cittadina meaning 'citizen.' Context and article usually make the meaning clear.
- Use urbano in technical, planning, or bureaucratic contexts; cittadino sounds more general and everyday.
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