The Meaning of "Ci" or "Ce" in Italian

[poliquie]

My dad said when he was growing up there were relatives that he referred to as Ci/Ce Aunt ________ or Ci/Ce Uncle_______ or sometimes Ci/Ce and the first name.

What does the Ci/Ce mean?

[liviomoreno]

Never heard...

[poliquie]

I may be spelling it wrong. Is there some word that would be used before saying someone' name that may indicate a title? Or used for respect?

[AngelaGrace56]

Are you sure they weren't saying "Zi". My friends from Naples always left off the "a" in zia (aunt) and the "o" in zio (uncle). For example Zia Rosa was just referred to as either "a zi" or "a zi Rosa".

What part of Italia was your father from?

Angela

[poliquie]

That side of the family was from Torre del Greco Italy in Naples

[poliquie]

It could be Zi - does that mean Aunt/ Uncle?

[AngelaGrace56]

It could be Zi - does that mean Aunt/ Uncle?

Where my friends came from Zi meant either aunt or uncle. Torre del Greco isn't that far away from where my friends came from, so it possibly was the same.

Angela

[poliquie]

Thank you

[AngelaGrace56]

You are very welcome. Napoletano would've been the language your family spoke and brought to the US with them. It's one of the dialects I grew up with but I don't always understand all the words. I don't think too many people would speak it in Italia now.

Angela

[PippoM]

I agree with Angela. We (SAlerno/napoli area) use "Zi' " for "Uncle" and "Ze' " for aunt.

[poliquie]

Thanks for the clarification...

[AngelaGrace56]

I agree with Angela. We (SAlerno/napoli area) use "Zi' " for "Uncle" and "Ze' " for aunt.

Grazie, Pippo.

Angela