Usage Note
Barbetta is a diminutive of barba ('beard'), used affectionately or descriptively for a small, neat beard such as a goatee. Italian makes heavy use of diminutives with -etta/-etto; the choice of suffix can signal affection, smallness, or both. The plural is regular: barbette. Not to be confused with barchetta ('little boat').
Examples
"Portava una barbetta curata sul mento."
Natural Translation
He wore a neat little beard on his chin.
Related Words
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