nounnoun

il ragazzo

boy

Persona giovane di sesso maschile, di solito non ancora adulta.

The Italian word ragazzo generally refers to a young male person, typically in the phase of life between childhood and adulthood.

Depending on the context, it can have several nuances:

Young man/boy: Used to describe a male child or an adolescent.
Boyfriend: In a colloquial and common context, it is used to refer to one's romantic partner (e.g., il mio ragazzo means "my boyfriend").
Waiter/Assistant: Historically, it was used to refer to a young man performing manual labor or assistance (such as a delivery boy), though this usage is less common today outside of specific set phrases.

The feminine form is ragazza .

Grammar: It is a masculine noun. The plural form is ragazzi . It follows the standard masculine inflection for nouns ending in -o.
Origin: The etymology is uncertain and debated among linguists. The most widely accepted theory is that it derives from the Arabic word raqqāṣ (messenger or courier), which entered the Italian language through maritime trade and Mediterranean contact. Initially, it referred to a young servant or messenger, before evolving into the general term for a boy.

Synonyms:

Fanciullo : A more literary or formal term for a young boy.
Giovane : A neutral term meaning "young person" or "youth," which can be applied to both genders.
Bimbo : Usually refers to a younger child (a toddler or small kid).
Pischello : A colloquial, often regional (Romanesco), slang term for a boy or teenager.