Heather Broster
Do you know someone who sits around all day doing nothing? Then you could call him or her a perdigiorno in Italian! Perdigiorno, which is an invariable noun made up of the words perdere (to lose / to miss / to waste) and giorno (day), is used to describe both men and women who avoid …
Ever since I was a young girl, I remember being fascinated by those in my class who were able to speak more than one language. It seemed to me like a mystical power to which only a select few had access. My intense interest in languages didn’t end in primary school. Once in high school, …
Automobile is one of many terms for car in Italian. Like its English cognate, it entered the language via the French automobile, which comprises two words: auto (‘self’) and mobile (‘mobile’). Being a feminine noun that begins with a vowel, it takes the following definite and indefinite articles: Because it is a relatively formal word, …
In order to say “I am fine” or “I am well” in Italian, the most common phrase you will hear people use is Sto bene. Sto bene. I’m fine / well. Whereas in English, we use the verb “to be” to express this sentiment, Italians use the verb stare which, in addition to “to be”, …
Today we will look at some basic Italian house vocabulary, which is essential to improve your language skills. Here below you can find a list of the most important words and sentences related to the house (in Italian: casa). We will start from general vocabulary and then treat each room in detail, such as the kind of furniture, appliances, tools and objects can …
Animale, the word for animal in Italian, is identical to its English cognate, barring the addition of a word-final e. Both words ultimately derive from the Latin animal, which is based on animalis (‘having breath’). It is a masculine noun that takes the following definite and indefinite articles: As in English, animale in Italian can …