Italian Word of the Day: Matita (pencil)

A tool that we use far less today due to the advent of the computer and keyboard is the humble pencil, known as a matita in Italian. matita pencil The word derives from the Latin lapis haematites, which refers to the hematite stone or pietra di ematite in Italian. Hematite ore was historically used for …

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Italian Word of the Day: Solito (usual / habitual)

Each of us has our own habitual routines, the things we do regularly, no matter what. In Italian, the word solito captures this sense of the usual and habitual things we do in life. solito usual Solito can be both an adjective and a noun in Italian, but in either case, the best translation tends …

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Italian Proverb: Chi dorme non piglia pesci (you snooze, you lose)

The famous Italian proverb Chi dorme non piglia pesci – which literally translates to “those who sleep don’t catch fish” – suggests that simply lounging around will get you nowhere. Just as a fisherman must remain vigilant to catch a fish when it bites, achieving success requires constant readiness and action. Chi dorme non piglia …

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Italian Word of the Day: Raffreddore (cold)

With estate (summer) behind us and autunno (autumn) in full swing, the cold season is just around the corner. In Italian, a cold is referred to as a raffreddore. raffreddore cold Important! In English, we use the word cold to refer to both the sensation of coldness, and to the common infection that tends to …

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Italian Word of the Day: Agio (ease / comfort)

As you immerse yourself in Italian life, agio is a term you’ll quickly come to appreciate. After all, who doesn’t relish a life of ease and comfort? agio ease / comfort Agio is derived from the Provençal aize meaning proximity and the Late Latin adiăcens meaning near or comfortable. Being a masculine noun beginning with …

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10 Ways to Say “Don’t give up!” in Italian

In every language, it’s common to encounter phrases with multiple translations—sometimes far more than one might expect! The phrase “Don’t give up” is a prime example, with at least ten different translations in everyday use in Italian. Let’s take a moment to explore all the most popular ones in this article! 1. Non ti arrendere! …

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