10 Italian Quotes & Sayings about Dads for Father’s Day

According to the Roman Catholic tradition, the Italian Father’s Day (La Festa del Papà) is celebrated, not on the third Sunday in June like many other countries in the world, but on March 19th, otherwise known as Saint Joseph’s Day (La Festa di San Giuseppe). It is recognised as an important time to commemorate fatherhood, …

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Italian Phrase of the Week: Ciao ciao! (Bye bye!)

People across the world are familiar with the informal Italian greeting Ciao! (pronounced CHOW) which can be used at the start of a conversation to greet someone, or at end of a conversation to sign off. The meaning is exactly the same as Hi! and Bye! in English. Ciao Enrica, come stai? Hi Enrica, how …

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Ti amo vs Ti voglio bene: What’s the difference?

In English, the phrase I love you is extremely flexible. It can be used not only towards a lover or a person you’re in love with, but also family members, your children and even really good friends. In Italian however, there are two different phrases that equate to I love you and learning how they …

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Italian Word of the Day: Pecora (sheep)

The word pecora (feminine, plural: pecore) is the common name for all bovine mammals of the genus Ovis, comprising six wild species and numerous domestic breeds. It is also the specific term for the female adult sheep. The male is known as montone or ariete (ram) whereas the offspring is called agnello (lamb) up to …

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Italian Word of the Day: Salsa (sauce)

The word salsa (feminine, plural: salse) in Italian is pretty easy to remember: just imagine yourself dancing to Salsa music while shaking a bottle of sauce! 😉 It can trace its origin back to the Latin word salsus which means salty. Below are some of the most popular sauces you’ll find in Italy: Sai mica …

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Italian Word of the Day: Squalo (shark)

The word for shark in Italian is squalo (masculine, plural: squali) – not to be confused with the adjective squallido which means run-down or sleazy! Like great deal of Italian words, it finds its origins in Latin (squalus). Because squalo begins with s + consonant, it takes the indefinite article uno instead of un (a …

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