Italian Word of the Day

The word for backpack, knapsack or rucksack in Italian is zaino (masculine, plural: zaini). IPA: /ẓài·no/ It refers to any bag with shoulder straps, including those carried by hikers, soldiers, and school children. Non mi serve una valigia. Lo zaino è più che sufficiente. I don't need a suitcase. The backpack is more than enough. According to Treccani, it is thought that … [Read more...] about Italian Word of the Day: Zaino (backpack)

The Italian word pietra (feminine, plural: pietre) can be translated as either rock or stone in English. It comes from the Greek word πέτρα (pétrē). As you can see from the two examples below, pietra is used to talk about both the compact mass formed by natural mineral substances, as well as the smaller fragments that break off from that mass. Questo pavimento è in pietra. This floor … [Read more...] about Italian Word of the Day: Pietra (rock, stone)

The word joke has three main translations in Italian. The one you choose depends on the kind of joke in question. The first, which is our word of the day, is battuta (feminine, plural: battute). IPA: /bat·tù·ta/ It refers to any kind of comment that is intended to be witty or humorous. With the exception of battute delivered by a comedian, they are usually unplanned and … [Read more...] about Italian Word of the Day: Battuta (joke)

Today we're going to be talking about one of my favourite verbs in Italian, brontolare, meaning to grumble or complain in a low voice. IPA: /bron.toˈla.re/ It comes from the Greek word βροντάω (vrontáo), which means to thunder or rumble. An easy way to remember this verb is to think of brontosaurus, the well-known dinosaur whose name literally means 'thundering lizard' in Greek. Mio padre … [Read more...] about Italian Word of the Day: Brontolare (to grumble)

Just as there are numerous terms for the humble garbage can in English including trash can, rubbish bin, wastepaper basket and dustbin, so too are there many in Italian! Public Domain - Taken by TheInvertedFan on Flickr One of the most diffused terms is bidone (masculine, plural: bidoni). IPA: /bi·dó·ne/ It can be used on its own or followed by della spazzatura / dei rifuti / … [Read more...] about Italian Word of the Day: Bidone (garbage can)

Today's "word of the day" couldn't be more timely with news about the coronavirus dominating every headline across the world. The Italian word virus (masculine, plural: virus) is written the same as in English but is pronounced quite differently as you can hear from the audio clip below. IPA: /vì·rus/ The word comes from the Latin virus which was used to describe the poisonous secretion of … [Read more...] about Italian Word of the Day: Virus (virus)