The Italian word for pearl is the similar sounding perla (feminine, plural: perle). It is thought that both derive from the Latin perna (leg), so called for the leg-of-mutton shape of the mollusk shells from which they originate. Pearls broadly fall into three categories: natural pearls (perle naturali / vere), cultured pearls (perle coltivate) and imitation pearls (perle finte). Natural … [Read more...] about Italian Word of the Day: Perla (pearl)
Italian Word of the Day
Italian Word of the Day: Strofinaccio (rag / cloth / dish towel)
The word for any piece of cloth used for drying dishes or for household cleaning is strofinaccio (masculine, plural: strofinacci) in Italian. If we break it down into its component parts, we can see that it is composed of the verb strofinare (to rub) and the pejorative suffix -accio which denotes something bad or unattractive. Some examples of things that can be called strofinaccio in … [Read more...] about Italian Word of the Day: Strofinaccio (rag / cloth / dish towel)
Italian Word of the Day: Ritrovo (meeting place / haunt)
Ritrovo (masculine, plural ritrovi) is the word for meeting place, haunt, or hangout in Italian. More specifically, it refers to a place where several people meet on a regular basis to chat amicably, or to entertain themselves with a common interest. It comes from the verbs ritrovare (to find again / to recover) and ritrovarsi (to meet again / to end up), both of which are a combination of … [Read more...] about Italian Word of the Day: Ritrovo (meeting place / haunt)
Italian Word of the Day: Vigliacco (coward)
One way of saying coward in Italian is vigliacco (masculine, plural: vigliacchi). There is also the feminine version vigliacca and its plural vigliacche. For once, we have a word that doesn't derive directly from Latin but rather the Spanish bellaco meaning wicked or vile. It refers not only to those who, for lack of courage, flee from danger or tolerate harassment without reacting, but also … [Read more...] about Italian Word of the Day: Vigliacco (coward)
Italian Word of the Day: Successo (success)
The Italian word for success is the similar sounding successo (masculine, plural: successi). Both words can be traced back to the Latin word "successus" of the same meaning. The expression avere successo (lit: to have success) translates as to be a success or to be successful. Although avere is by far the most common, you might also see successo used with other verbs such as: raggiungere … [Read more...] about Italian Word of the Day: Successo (success)
Italian Word of the Day: Bislacco (eccentric / weird)
Bislacco is one way of saying eccentric, weird or quirky in Italian. It is thought to derive from the Venetian bislaco, which in turn comes from the Slovene word bezjak meaning silly. It was a nickname given to the Venetians of Friuli and the Slavs of Istria. Because it is an adjective, the ending changes depending on the gender and/or plurality of the subject in question: bislacco = … [Read more...] about Italian Word of the Day: Bislacco (eccentric / weird)