Baraonda is an evocative Italian word used to describe the confusion caused by the comings and goings of numerous people. The word entered the Italian language from the Spanish barahunda, which likely had onomatopoeic origins. Baraonda is a feminine noun whose plural form is baraonde. Here are the definite and indefinite articles it takes: la …
Today we’re going to be looking at the word cera, which means wax or polish. It comes from the Latin cera of the same meaning and spelling. Cera is a feminine noun, so it takes the following definite and indefinite articles: la cerathe wax una ceraa wax le cerethe waxes delle cere(some) waxes Note: Although …
Although we’re leaving the depths of winter behind us, some items of clothing remain indispensable, especially when cold winds are still blowing strong. One of these items is the sciarpa (scarf)! Sciarpa derives from the French écharpe, which in turn comes from the Franconian skerpa, a kind of shoulder belt with loops or pockets for …
The word raffica in Italian is difficult to translate into English using just one blanket term. Raffica is a feminine noun. The plural is raffiche. la raffica una raffica le raffiche delle raffiche What’s important to know is that raffica is used to describe things that are relentless, fast and continuous. In weather terminology, for …
The word for fork in Italian is forchetta. It is the diminutive form of the word forca (pitchfork), which comes from the Latin furca. Here are the definite and indefinite articles that must be used with this feminine noun: la forchettathe fork una forchettaa fork le forchettethe forks delle forchette(some) forks A few different kinds …
The Italian word for a joke that is silly or tasteless, or that is supposed to come off as witty but falls flat due to its inappropriateness, is the feminine noun spiritosaggine. Often used in its plural form spiritosaggini, it derives from the adjective spiritoso which can translate as either witty or smart-alecky depending on …