A tool that we use far less today due to the advent of the computer and keyboard is the humble pencil, known as a matita in Italian. matita pencil The word derives from the Latin lapis haematites, which refers to the hematite stone or pietra di ematite in Italian. Hematite ore was historically used for …
With estate (summer) behind us and autunno (autumn) in full swing, the cold season is just around the corner. In Italian, a cold is referred to as a raffreddore. raffreddore cold Important! In English, we use the word cold to refer to both the sensation of coldness, and to the common infection that tends to …
As you immerse yourself in Italian life, agio is a term you’ll quickly come to appreciate. After all, who doesn’t relish a life of ease and comfort? agio ease / comfort Agio is derived from the Provençal aize meaning proximity and the Late Latin adiăcens meaning near or comfortable. Being a masculine noun beginning with …
I was inspired to share the word pista with you today because my son, who is currently obsessed with ferrovie (railways), has developed a keen interest in building tracks for his toy trains. As you can imagine, this word comes up in conversation at least fifty times a day! pista track / trail According to …
October—known as ottobre in Italian—has always been one of my favourite months. Perhaps it’s because autunno (autumn) is in full swing, with colourful leaves falling from the trees and a crisp breeze in the air that invites you to cozy up in your warmest maglione (sweater) and pantofole (slippers). ottobre October Ottobre is the tenth …
Recently my son has taken a keen interest in tongue-twisters, especially those that his dear old mum has trouble saying. A tongue-twister in Italian is known as a scioglilingua, which is the combination of the verb sciogliere (to melt) and the noun lingua (tongue). scioglilingua tongue-twister Scioglilingua is an invariable noun, so it’s form doesn’t …