Italian Word of the Day: Sfinito (exhausted)

One of the most common ways to say exhausted in Italian is sfinito. It is the past participle of the verb sfinire (to exhaust or to wear out), which is the combination of the prefix s- and the verb finire (to finish). Because it is an adjective, the end changes depending on the gender and/or …

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Italian Word of the Day: Quasi (almost / nearly)

A very useful Italian adverb is quasi which generally translates as almost or nearly in English. This word, as well as the English combining form quasi-, both derive from the Latin word of the same spelling meaning almost or as if. It can modify nouns, adjectives and other adverbs. For example: So quasi tutto su …

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Italian Word of the Day: Abbuffarsi (to stuff oneself)

If you want to say to stuff / gorge oneself in Italian, you can use the reflexive verb abbuffarsi (alternative spelling: abboffarsi). According to Treccani, this verb likely derives from buffare meaning to huff or to puff. If you have trouble remembering it, I find it helpful to make a mental association with the term …

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Italian Word of the Day: Barca (boat)

The Italian word for boat, which is barca (feminine, plural: barche), derives from the Latin term of the same spelling. There are many different types of boats in existence, the most common of which include: A small boat is known as a barchetta or barchina/o (the diminutive forms) whereas a large boat is called a …

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Italian Word of the Day: Basilico (basil)

A plant whose sweet-smelling leaves are often used as a herb in Italian cooking is basilico (masculine, plural basilichi), which is the word for basil. In the Tuscan dialect, it is pronounced with a double s (bassilico). basilico It must not be confused with the similar sounding basilica, which is the name given to certain …

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Italian Word of the Day: Curioso (curious)

The word for curious in Italian is curioso. It derives from the Latin curiosus meaning careful or diligent. Because it is an adjective, the ending of curioso changes depending on whether you are talking about a solitary male (curioso), a solitary female (curiosa), a group of males or a mixed group (curiosi) or a group …

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