The word verdura in Italian is interesting because it is normally used as a singular collective noun, referring to the category vegetables as a whole, or more specifically, the parts of a vegetable plant that can be used in human nutrition. For example, if you say La verdura fa molto bene alla salute, you are …
Although Italy has a variety of microclimates, the rainy season generally occurs between March and May and again between September and November, with October and November being the rainiest months of the year. In the Piemonte region where I used to live, violent thunderstorms are also common during the peak summer months. The word for …
Strada is an incredibly flexible word in Italian. Not only does it mean road or street in the literal sense, but it also has a couple of figurative meanings, as we’ll discover below. strada road / street Strada is a feminine noun and takes the following definite and indefinite articles: Io abito in strada San …
If you are familiar with the English word lupine, it shouldn’t be too difficult to remember the word lupo, which is the Italian for wolf. lupo wolf Lupo is a masculine noun and takes the following definite and indefinite articles: A wolf cub is known as a lupetto. This is also the term used for …
The domestic pig – or maiale in Italian – is one of the most populous mammals (mammiferi) in the world. maiale pig In fact, it is estimated that approximately one billion are alive at any time. Because they are omnivores (onnivori) just like humans, they can consume a wider range of food than most animals. …
The Italian word for fast or quick is veloce. It derives from the Latin word velox meaning quick. veloce quick / fast When I was first learning Italian, I found this word very easy to remember because it shares the same origin as the English word velocity, not to mention the name of everyone’s favourite …