Heather Broster
One phrase we tend to say far more often than we realise is “I did it!” We use it for every kind of success, whether it’s acing an important exam or finally managing to open a stubborn bottle of water. But translating this expression into Italian isn’t as straightforward as you might think. You may …
I’ve never been much of a drinker, but many of my friends – especially at university – would spend their weekends knocking back cocktails and wine, dancing the night away as they tried to forget the results of the previous week’s exam. If you ever find yourself having indulged a bit too much, here’s a …
I’m sure the vast majority of us have arranged to go out with someone, either on a date or just as friends, only to be left staring impatiently at our watch, waiting for that person to show up. In English, we might say that we’ve been “stood up” whereas in Italian, you can expect to …
I’ve chosen Che cosa vuoi che faccia? as our phrase of the week because many English speakers, when speaking Italian, find it difficult to express the idea of one person wanting another to perform an action. Che cosa vuoi che faccia? What do you want me to do? Consider, for example, any of the following …
Is there someone in your hometown who always seems to turn up wherever you go? You’re at the supermarket picking up bananas, and there’s Mr. Jones in the next aisle, comparing breakfast cereals. Later, you head out to a restaurant, and who walks in just as you’re eyeing the pasta menu? Mr. Jones, of course, …
The day before the first group attending our Montepulciano immersion trip in October was about to head home, I had a lovely conversation at breakfast with one of the participants. He was very curious to know how to express the following phrases in Italian: Upon returning home and reflecting on the conversation, I realised just …