In Italian, there are a number of different ways you can translate the word “please” depending on what you are asking, who you are addressing and the level of formality the situation requires. Expressions range from the semi-casual to the very formal, while others still are mostly reserved for writing. Below you can find the …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …