Valentina Nicastro
There’s nothing like standing at the bar counter, waiting for our foamy cappuccino, when someone leans in and whispers La sai l’ultima? (Literally, do you know the latest?). And just like that, our morning routine becomes a lot more interesting! I know, I know: gossiping is not exactly a noble hobby. But let’s be honest, …
Popular tourist spots can come with a side of “unwanted attention,” and the streets of Rome or Florence are no exception: I’m talking street vendors who really (really!) want you to buy something, people placing a rose in your hand and then demanding payment for it before you can even say “no thanks.” Or even …
How does your colleague know you’re looking for a new job? Because your other colleague overheard a phone call. And how does half the office already know by lunchtime? Because news travels really fast when a ficcanaso is involved! ficcanaso Ficcanaso is a compound noun made up of two parts: the verb ficcare (to stick, …
Autostrada, sottopassaggio, lungolago: what do these three Italian words have in common (apart from the fact that you’ll likely spot them on road signs during your Italian road trip)? They are all nouns made up of two words fused together into one. In Italian, we call them parole composte — compound words. The adjective composto …
Italy has some truly amazing train rides. And soon enough, with summer approaching and itineraries taking shape, you may soon find yourself standing in an Italian station, perhaps feeling a bit confused while checking your phone, and feeling the growing suspicion you may be on the wrong platform. So whether you’re hopping on a high-speed …
Imagine you’re sitting around a table with Italian friends. Dessert arrives — a gorgeous homemade torta (cake) — and someone says: Mica male questa torta! Non avevo mica capito che l’avessi fatta tu. This cake is really good! I had no idea you made it. Mica la rifaresti per il mio compleanno? Any chance you’d …