Heather Broster
Have you ever done someone a small favour, even just a tiny one, only to find yourself wondering a few days later how you somehow ended up doing tutto (everything) for them? Maybe you agree to cover one shift, and suddenly you’re the person everyone asks whenever they need time off. Or you lend someone …
There are few moments in life more satisfying than getting a lot while giving very little in return. You know the feeling: someone else is paying, the work is already done, the fridge is full, and somehow you’ve landed in the middle of it all thinking, Che bello! (How lovely!) Italians have a word for …
My son started piano lessons a few months ago, and while I usually have to coax him into practising with rewards such as TV time or ice cream, he is definitely starting to show some significant progress. In fact, I could even say ci sta prendendo la mano! prenderci la mano to get the hang …
Perhaps it’s due to the heat, or the fact that I’ve hardly had a moment to breathe this entire summer between il lavoro (work), prendermi cura (taking care) of my son, and trying to find time to mantenermi in forma (keep fit), but lately I’ve been feeling more listless than usual and less enthusiastic about …
The Italian word parte has so many meanings! Let’s put it to the test with a sentence that fits three of them into just one line: Non voglio prendere le parti di nessuno, ma so benissimo da che parte parte questa critica. I don’t want to take sides with anyone, but I know exactly where …
In Italian, much like in English, there is a wide range of expressions you can use to bring a conversation to a natural close. A simple and friendly Ci vediamo! (See you!) works perfectly when you’re not sure when you’ll meet again, while more specific options allow you to indicate exactly when you’ll see someone …