The verb sfarfallare is the fusion of the prefix s-, the noun farfalla (butterfly) and the verb ending -are. There are more meanings associated with this word than you might think, so let’s take a look at them now! Learn with our video and podcast Let’s begin with the most literal definition, which is to …
Intanto is a very common adverb in Italian that has different meanings depending on the context in which it is used. It comprises the preposition in (in) and the adverb tanto (many) and in old Italian, it was written as two words. Learn with our video 1. Intanto = Meanwhile The first possible translation for …
The word for the violent noise something makes when it smashes against a hard surface is fracasso (masculine, plural: fracassi) in Italian. Derived from the verb fracassare, it best translates into English as to smash. Learn about ‘fracasso’ with our video Il vaso si è rotto con gran fracasso. The vase broke with a loud …
The Italian adjective affascinante, which can translate in a number of ways including fascinating and attractive, comes from the verb affascinare meaning to fascinate. Learn about ‘affascinante’ with our video The singular form is always affascinante and the plural form is always affascinanti regardless of the gender of the subject. When used to describe a …
The adverb perfino in Italian is made up of the prefix per– and the preposition fino (up to, as far as). It is used much in the same way as the adverb even in English, in that it emphasises something surprising or extreme. Important: perfino has an alternative form, persino, but don’t worry, they are …
Balordo is one of those fun Italian adjectives that you will rarely see in a textbook, but comes up all the time in casual conversation between native speakers. Its etymological origin has not been confirmed. It may derive from the French balourd, which in turn comes from the ancient French beslourd. Learn with our video …