Italian Phrase
Ho un piccolo ruolo.
Meaning
Literally ‘I have a small role.’ It is used to say that the speaker’s part in a project, performance, or job is minor or limited in scope.
When to use
Use this sentence when you want to describe a modest involvement – for example, a minor acting part, a secondary task at work, or a small responsibility in a group activity.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Hounpiccoloruolo.
Avere (Ho)
‘Ho’ is the first‑person singular present of the verb ‘avere’ (to have), used to express possession or a state.
Indefinite article (un)
‘un’ is the masculine singular indefinite article, used before masculine nouns that begin with a consonant.
Adjective agreement (piccolo)
‘piccolo’ is a masculine singular adjective; it must agree in gender and number with the noun ‘ruolo’.
Noun gender (ruolo)
‘ruolo’ is a masculine singular noun meaning ‘role, part, function’.
🗨In Conversation
Ho un piccolo ruolo nella nuova serie televisiva.
I have a small role in the new TV series.
Che bello! Anche se è piccolo, è importante per la trama.
How nice! Even if it’s small, it’s important for the plot.
✕Common Mistakes
Ho un piccola ruolo.
‘Piccola’ is feminine; ‘ruolo’ is masculine, so the adjective must be ‘piccolo’.
Ho una piccolo ruolo.
The indefinite article must match the noun’s gender; ‘ruolo’ is masculine, so use ‘un’, not ‘una’.
Ha un piccolo ruolo.
‘Ha’ is third‑person singular; the subject is ‘I’, so the correct verb form is ‘Ho’.
↔Alternatives
Ho un ruolo minore.
I have a minor role.
Interpretò una parte secondaria.
I play a secondary part.
Ho una parte piccola.
I have a small part.
Cultural Tip
In Italian ‘ruolo’ can refer to a theatrical part, a job function, or a social role. The adjective ‘piccolo’ conveys modesty, not insignificance – Italians often value even the smallest contributions, especially in collaborative projects.