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Fare (to do or to make) is one of the most frequently used verbs in Italian along with avere (to have) and essere (to be), so it shouldn't come as a great surprise that it appears within a plethora of idiomatic expressions. In this article, you'll find 15 of the most commonly used idioms with fare in Italian. All of them can be heard in daily conversation and will help you sound like a fluent … [Read more...] about 15 Italian Idiomatic Expressions with ‘Fare’ (to do / make)

Life can be a struggle at times but with the help of comforting words of encouragement from a friend or family member, and a little perseverance and patience, it is possible to overcome even the most daunting of challenges. The important thing is keep going, even when you feel that the easiest option would be to give up. If one of your Italian friends is going through a difficult time or has … [Read more...] about 10 Italian Words and Phrases of Encouragement (Plus 5 Popular Quotes)

The festival of Carnevale, known as Carnival or Mardi Gras in English, takes place in February or early March in Italy. A time of festivities, parades, parties and entertainment, it can be considered the big celebration before the fasting of Lent and the pious restrictions of Easter. The most well-known Carnival celebrations take place in Venezia, Viareggio, Ivrea and Cento but celebrations … [Read more...] about Carnival Vocabulary in Italian: 10 Words You Need to Know!

Call me a killjoy, but swearing bothers me in any language. Whereas others might assail one another with flying f-words and references to bodily excrements, I am more partial to euphemisms. And let's be honest - they are often far more entertaining and effective than swear words themselves! In this article, you will find many of the most common politically-correct swear words in the language of … [Read more...] about Italian Swear Words and Their Meanings (for Polite Society)

Did you know that we have Italy to thank for La Festa di San Valentino (Saint Valentine's Day)? Saint Valentine, or San Valentino as he is known in Italian, was a Roman priest. Legend has it that he began marrying persecuted Christian couples in secret, and after being discovered by Emperor Claudius Gothicus and refusing to renounce his faith, was martyred on February 14th AD 269. Just over … [Read more...] about The Most Romantic Italian Love Phrases for Valentine’s Day

There are certain words in every language that can make you laugh, either because their meaning is humorous or because the way they sound is amusing. In this article, we've put together a list of ten funny Italian words that will succeed not only in making others chuckle but also in helping you sound like a fluent Italian speaker! 1. Pelandrone English meaning: loafer, idler, lazy bumOther … [Read more...] about 10 Funny Italian Words That Will Make You Chuckle