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Italian Phrase

È una piccola riunione di famiglia.

/ɛ ˈuːna ˈpikːola rjuˈnjoːne di faˈmiʎʎa/
Meaning"It’s a small family gathering."
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Meaning

This sentence means ‘It’s a small family gathering.’ It conveys that the event is intimate and informal, usually involving a few relatives rather than a large party.

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When to use

Use this phrase when you want to describe a modest family get‑together, such as a dinner, a birthday celebration, or a holiday meal that isn’t a big party.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Èunapiccolariunionedifamiglia.

1

È (verb essere)

Third‑person singular of the verb 'essere' (to be); the accent on È indicates the verb, not the conjunction 'e'.

2

una (indefinite article)

Feminine singular indefinite article, used because 'riunione' is a feminine noun.

3

piccola (adjective agreement)

Adjective must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies; 'piccola' matches feminine singular 'riunione'.

4

riunione (noun)

A feminine noun meaning 'meeting' or 'gathering'.

5

di (preposition)

Used to indicate possession or relationship, here linking the gathering to the family.

6

famiglia (noun)

Feminine singular noun meaning 'family'.

🗨In Conversation

A

È una piccola riunione di famiglia.

It’s a small family gathering.

Che bello! A che ora ci vediamo?

How nice! What time are we meeting?

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • È un piccola riunione di famiglia.

    ‘Riunione’ is feminine, so the article must be ‘una’, not ‘un’.

  • È una piccolo riunione di famiglia.

    Adjectives must agree with the noun’s gender; use ‘piccola’ for feminine ‘riunione’.

  • E una piccola riunione di famiglia.

    The verb ‘è’ needs an accent; without it you get the conjunction ‘e’ (and).

↔Alternatives

  • È un piccolo incontro di famiglia.

    It’s a small family meeting.

  • Stiamo facendo una riunione di famiglia.

    We’re having a family gathering.

  • Ci sarà una riunione familiare.

    There will be a family reunion.

it

Cultural Tip

Family is the heart of Italian social life. Even a ‘piccola riunione’ often includes a shared meal, lots of conversation, and multiple generations. When you mention a family gathering, it’s polite to ask about the food and who will be attending, as hospitality is a key cultural value.