One of the most enjoyable and effective ways of learning new words and expressions in Italian is to familiarise yourself with all the best canzoni (feminine, singular: canzone). IPA: /can·zó·ne/ The word canzone (song) comes from the verb cantare which means to sing. Some other related terms include the diminutive canzoncina (a cute or simple song), canto (a more generic term that, in … [Read more...] about Italian Word of the Day: Canzone (song)
Italian Word of the Day: Intelligente (intelligent / smart)
The word for intelligent or smart in Italian is intelligente. Both the Italian and English can be traced back to the Latin intelligent- which means understanding. IPA: /in·tel·li·gèn·te/ Intelligente is the singular form of the adjective and may be used to describe both masculine and feminine subjects, whereas the plural form is intelligenti. Carlo è un bambino molto … [Read more...] about Italian Word of the Day: Intelligente (intelligent / smart)
Italian Word of the Day: Bruco (caterpillar)
As children, many of us are fascinated with the process by which a bruco (masculine, plural: bruchi) – the Italian word for caterpillar – turns into a butterfly (farfalla). IPA: /ˈbru.ko/ The story begins with a caterpillar hatching from an egg (uovo). The caterpillar then stuffs itself with leaves, growing fatter and longer until one day, it stops eating, hangs upside down, and forms a … [Read more...] about Italian Word of the Day: Bruco (caterpillar)
Italian Word of the Day: Presto (early / soon / quick / easy)
There are four main ways to translate the Italian adverb presto into English: early and soon, which are the most common translations, and quick and easy. Let's take a look at each translation now! IPA: /ˈprɛs.to/ Presto = Early One of the most common translations of presto is early. The opposite of the adverb tardi (late), it may also translate as ahead of schedule. Below are a few … [Read more...] about Italian Word of the Day: Presto (early / soon / quick / easy)
Italian Word of the Day: Buona serata! (Have a nice evening!)
If you’ve been learning Italian for a while now, you may already be familiar with the classic greeting Buonasera! which is how you say Good evening! in a formal context. Buonasera signore. Come sta? Good evening sir. How are you? If you want to explicitly wish someone a good evening however, it is necessary to use a slight variation on this expression which is Buona serata! (Have … [Read more...] about Italian Word of the Day: Buona serata! (Have a nice evening!)
Italian Word of the Day: Ridarella (giggles)
At some point in time we've all found ourselves laughing uncontrollably at a funny situation or a hilarious joke. In English, we call this unstoppable laughter the giggles whereas in Italian, it is called la ridarella (feminine). The word comes from the verb ridere meaning to laugh. To say that you've got the giggles in Italian, you can use any of the following expressions: avere la … [Read more...] about Italian Word of the Day: Ridarella (giggles)