Last year we taught you how to say the traditional holiday greeting Buon Natale! (Merry Christmas!), so this year we're going with something a bit different! The Italian for Christmas is here! is Natale è arrivato! which literally translates as Christmas has arrived! It is made up of the following components: Natale >> The word for Christmas in Italian. è >> The third … [Read more...] about Italian Phrase: Natale è arrivato! (Christmas is here!)
Italian Phrase of the Week
Italian Phrase: C’era una volta (Once upon a time)
C'era una volta... (literally 'there was a time') is a stock phrase in Italian used as an opening line to introduce a narrative of past events, typically in fairy tales for children. It is the equivalent of Once upon a time... in English. Let's take a look at how this phrase breaks down into its component parts: C'era is how you would say there was in Italian. It is a contraction of ci … [Read more...] about Italian Phrase: C’era una volta (Once upon a time)
Italian Phrase: Il tempo vola! (Time flies!)
They say that time flies when you're having fun, so let's indulge in a bit of fun ourselves by learning how to say 'Time flies!' in Italian! The Italian equivalent of Time flies! is Il tempo vola! The only difference between the two phrases is that Italians say il tempo (literally the time) instead of just tempo (time). Il tempo vola quando ci si diverte. Time flies when you're having … [Read more...] about Italian Phrase: Il tempo vola! (Time flies!)
Italian Phrase: Non ci posso credere! (I can’t believe it!)
This week's phrase is bound to come in handy if you see or hear about something that defies belief. Non ci posso credere! I can't believe it! It is made up of the following components: Non >> A very common adverb of negation. In this particular phrase, it translates as not in English. Ci >> A common pronoun and adverb with various meanings. In this case, it is another way … [Read more...] about Italian Phrase: Non ci posso credere! (I can’t believe it!)
Italian Phrase: Spero che tu stia bene. (I hope you are well.)
The Italian phrase Spero che tu stia bene (I hope you are well) is useful whenever you wish to show concern for another person's well being. It tends to be used in written communication such as letters, emails and texts rather than in speech just like the English equivalent. Let's take a quick look at the various components that make up this phrase: Spero che tu stia bene. I hope you are … [Read more...] about Italian Phrase: Spero che tu stia bene. (I hope you are well.)
Italian Phrase: Non mi viene in mente. (I can’t remember.)
Have you ever had someone ask you a question, only to blank out completely even though you know the answer? I know I have! If you're faced with this situation in Italian, you can always fall back on the response « Non mi ricordo » which quite literally means « I can't remember ». However if you are keen on trying something a little more idiomatic, you can also say: Non mi viene in … [Read more...] about Italian Phrase: Non mi viene in mente. (I can’t remember.)