Meaning
beginning, start, inception
- principle
- beginning, cause, source, reason
- first part; first paragraph, first subsection
In a sentence
All'inizio ero nervoso, ma il principio è andato bene.
At first I was nervous, but the beginning went well.
Hai letto il principio del messaggio che ti ho mandato?
Did you read the beginning of the message I sent you?
Per cena prendiamo un principio o andiamo subito al secondo?
For dinner, shall we get a starter or go straight to the main course?
Word forms (2)
| Word | Word forms |
|---|---|
| principio | masculine · singular |
| principi | masculine · plural |
Usage notes
- Use 'principio' for abstract starts (e.g., ideas, stories). For physical starts (e.g., races), prefer 'inizio'.
- Common mistake: Overusing 'principio' for 'principle' (moral/rule). That’s 'principio' too, but context matters.
- No plural form in the 'appetizer' sense. Say 'antipasti' instead.