Meaning
Father (a title given to priests)
- a title of respect to a man
In a sentence
Don Paolo arriva alle otto per la cena.
Father Paolo arrives at eight for dinner.
Hai visto don Marco oggi in piazza?
Did you see Father Marco today in the square?
Buonasera, don Luigi, come sta oggi?
Good evening, Father Luigi, how are you today?
Word forms (2)
| Word | Word forms |
|---|---|
| don | masculine · singular |
| don | masculine · plural |
Usage notes
- Use 'don' only for Catholic priests; 'padre' is the general word for 'father'.
- Never use 'don' with a first name alone—always pair with a full name (e.g., 'Don Luigi').
- Reserved for formal or respectful contexts; avoid in casual speech.