Giving Thanks in the Italian Language

Grazie 

Thank you

Italians don’t observe the all-American holiday of thanksgiving (la festa del ringraziamento). There are Italian words, but no cultural equivalents for the Pilgrim fathers (padri pellegrini) and the American Indians (Amerindi) who came together to celebrate the harvest (il raccolto) in the new world (il Nuovo Mondo). Italians do eat turkey (tacchino) and pumpkin (zucca) but not in the traditional way (modo tradizionale) that Americans prepare them on Thanksgiving.

At this time of expressing gratitudine, I would like to thank (ringraziare) all of you—tanti! (so many)--who have visited my website, followed my blog, or read La Bella Lingua: My Love Affair with Italian, the World’s Most Enchanting Language (now in its third printing). Since they went live earlier this year, www.becomingitalian.com and  www.becomingitalianwordbyword.typepad.com have attracted some 80,000 visits. My blog on Italian ranks in the top .07 percent of all blogs and #16 on a recent list of the top 100 blogs on Italy.  

And so I say  grazie (thanks), grazie infinite (many thanks), grazie mille (thanks a thousand, literally, but it translates as thanks a million), molte grazie (thank you very much), and grazie di cuore (thanks from the heart).

 Italian appreciation (like everything else) becomes more effusive on paper. If you are writing a lettera di ringraziamento (a thank-you letter) for a gift, a meal, or a kindness, you might use phrases such as: 

 *Non so come ringraziarLa. -- I don’t know how to thank you (formal) 

*Grazie per la squisita ospitalità -- thank you for your exquisite hospitality 

*Grazie infinite per la Sua (formal)/ tua (informal) gentilezza -- thank you for your kindness 

*La ringrazio per tutto quello che ha fatto per me -- thank you for all that you have done for me. (formal) 

 *Il più affettuoso grazie per...la cena, il regalo, ecc -- most affectionate thanks for…the dinner, the gift, etc. 

*Le porgo i miei più sentiti ringraziamenti -- I profer to you my most heartfelt thanks (formal) 

*Non trovo parole per dirLe quanto ci ha fatto piacere -- I cannot find the words to tell you how much pleasure it gave me 

 So what do you say when someone thanks you? Here are some options: 

*Prego -- My pleasure 

*Di niente -- It’s nothing 

*Grazie a Lei -- Thanks to you (formal) 

*Non c’è di che -- Not at all 

*Ma immaginati!  Ma figurati! -- That’s all right (literally, imagine or fancy that) –

*Non dirlo neanche -- Don’t even mention it 

*Non dire sciocchezze -- Don’t be silly (to friends) 

*È il minimo che potessi fare -- It was the least I can do 

*È stato un piacere -- It was a pleasure 

*Se posso esser d’aiuto un’altra volta -- If I can be of help any other time (don’t hesitate to ask) 

And then there's my husband's favorite: L'onore e tutto mio! The honor is all mine.

I owe a special grazie to geneaologist Michelina Santoriello Hall, who shares my passion for Italy and transforms Italian words into works of art, such as the image above. You can find more at her website.   

Words and Expression 

ingraziarsi -- to curry favor 

grazie a Dio -- thank God 

Grazie, a buon rendere! -- Thank you, I owe you one! 

essere grato di – to appreciate, to be grateful for. 

If I could show my appreciation in a song, this is the one I'd choose. You can find the lyrics on the youtube site.

Comments

[Dianne Hales]

Re: [Becoming Italian Word by Word] prakash submitted a comment to Giving Thanks in the Italian Language

Grazie, Prakash, per le belle parole.

[prakash]

infatti sto apprendimento italian una dolse lingua nel mondo cosi molto voglio al legge questo lingua nel ogni articolo cosa io dice per dio lui sia grando nel tutto io sempre grazie lui ogni volta quando lui mando mi qui al vede questo tutto bella mondo

[Donna]

grazie di cuore Dianne, so grateful that I located you through a 'facebook' group, love your book with the extensive wealth of knowledge and history of 'all things Italian' (making endless notes of 'must visit' and 'must read')

congratulations on the 80,000 visits to your website (it doesn't surprise me :-), also your ranking is fantastic, you must be very pleased

I hope you and your family are enjoying your 'ringraziamento' weekend :-)

P.S. my son's favourite expression is "the pleasure is indeed mine"

[LindyLouMac]

Grazie mille per Becoming Italian Word by Word.

I am finding it very useful.

Still waiting for my copy of 'The Bella Lingua' ordered ages ago because unfortunately the Italian couriers claimed not to be able to find us and sent it back to Amazon! Huh I have had loads of books delivered including some from Amazon, interesting to note they have used a different carrier this time so hoping it arrives very soon.