Becoming Italian Word by Word

Following the Signs in the Italian Language

cartelli stradali

road signs

“What a lovely-sounding word!” I exclaimed to my husband the first time we came across “rallentare” on a road sign. I didn’t know that it meant “slow down” until Bob suddenly hit the brakes on a steep curve (svolta). I was similarly taken by the declaration “Caduta massi.” Fortunately, no stones fell on us in the time it took for me to look up the definition. And we had fastened our seat belts even before seeing the reminder "Allacciare la cintura" (buckle up).

A stop sign looks the same in Chianti as in Kansas, and Italians even call it a "stop." The numerals indicating il limite di velocità (speed limit) also look familiar—but they indicate kilometers, not miles (there are 1.6 kilometers per mile). An Italian traffic light (semaforo) blinks red and green just as in the States -- although a driver in Naples explained to us that actually stopping at a red light is optional. (He opted not to.) A sign for a “diversione” isn’t pointing the way to a diverting site, but points to a detour (also translated as deviazione).

Some Italian road signs remind motorists to drive carefully, with admonitions such as “cautela!” (caution) and prudenza (prudence). Others warn of various pericoli (dangers): allagamento (flooding), salita ripida (steep hill), superficie irregolare or sdrucciolevole (irregular or slippery surface), superficie ghiacciata (icy surface) or strada interrotta (road blocked). Just as elsewhere, you may see signs for “lavori in corso” (road work ahead) but never spot any operai (workers).

Road signs such as “usare i fanali“ (use headlights), tenere la destra (keep right), dare la precedenza (yield) or tenere la corsia (keep in lane) tell you what to do. Others, such as senso vietato (no entry) or parcheggio vietato (no parking), make clear what not to do. Just keep in mind that anything divieto is forbidden. 

Even when you know the literal meaning of the Italian words, road signs can be confounding.  “Strada bianca” (white road) sounded so appealing that I suggested we try it—only to discover the very bumpy way that this phrase translates as “unpaved road.” I did better with “senso unico” and figured out that it meant “one way” just before we headed in the wrong direction.

Words and Expressions

entrata / uscita –- entrance/ exit

prossima uscita –- next exit

sosta autorizzata –- parking allowed

parcheggiare in doppia fila –- to double-park

Dianne Hales is the author of LA BELLA LINGUA: My Love Affair with Italian, the World's Most Enchanting Language. 

For a wordless summary of what makes driving in Italy unique, click below:

Changing Seasons in the Italian Language

l'autunno

autumn

In Italy every stagione -- la primavera (spring), l’estate (summer), l’autunno (autumn), and l’inverno (winter) -- has a different feel and focus. L’autunno is my favorite.

The names of the months of autumn date back to ancient Rome -- and remind us that our calendar (calendario) was one of the enduring gifts of Julius Caesar. Before his time the Roman calendar, devised by Rome’s founder Romulus some 2700 years ago, had only ten months. January and February as we know them didn’t exist.

The new year began in March, with the beginning of field work to plant new crops. The Latin numbers seven, eight, and nine -- septem, octo, and novem — gave their names to the months of September, October, and November.

By the first century B.C., the calendar was several months out of whack with the seasons. In 48-47 B.C. Caesar, planning massive military campaigns in the East, wanted a single official calendar that would keep in touch with the sun. Consulting with a Greek astronomer and mathematician, he devised a new calendar consisting of 12 months and 365 days, with a leap year inserted every fourth year.

Shortly before his assassination, Caesar gave his name to what had been Quintus, the fifth month, which we know as July. His successor Augustus bestowed his name on Sextilis (the sixth month). But the final months of the new calendar retained their numerical names.

Autunno is the time of ripening (maturazione), and  the Italian language has several words -- raccolto, messe, and mietitura -- for the harvest of crops such as fruit and grains. But the grape harvest has a name of its own: vendemmia. Vine-growers (viticoltori)) keep a close eye on their vines (viti) to determine when the grapes (uva) are ripe (matura or vendemmiabile).

La vendemmia begins with white grapes (uva bianca), which ripen before the red. If there’s a threat of damaging rain, grape pickers (vendemmiatori) may have to work by the light of the harvest moon (luna della vendemmia or luna di Settembre) to save their crops. At the cantina, bunches of grapes (grappoli d’uva) are sorted, washed, stemmed, and crushed.

Then everyone waits, hoping that this will turn out to be una buona annata (a vintage year). The novello (new) wine is uncorked and enjoyed during Italy’s equivalent of America’s Indian summer -- l’estate di San Martino, the summer of St. Martin, whose onomastico or saint’s day falls on November 11. As a traditional saying puts it, “Per San Martino, cadono le foglie e si spilla il vino." (For St. Martin, the leaves fall, and the wine is tapped.")

Words and Expressions 

fare il raccolto -- get in the harvest

cogliere l ‘uva -- to gather grapes

pigiatura dell’uva -- grape pressing

vitigni -- species of grapes

uva da tavola -- dessert grapes

Dianne Hales is the author of LA BELLA LINGUA: My Love Affair with Italian, the World's Most Enchanting Language. 

 

“Impressioni di Settembre” by Franco Battiato captures the poignancy of the season -- and of essere nell’autunno della vita (being in the autumn of life) 

<

Celebrating the "Treasure of Europe" in the Italian Language

Italia, Tesoro d’Europa

For months Italy has been reeling from bad news and bad press, particularly from other members of the European Union. But this weekend 50 European nations are dedicating their annual European Heritage Days to “L’Italia tesoro d’Europa.”

The title is well-deserved. For centuries “Italy” has been synonymous with art (arte). An estimated 60 percent of the world’s designated art treasures reside within its borders, and Italian paintings and sculptures grace museums and collections around the globe. But Italy did more than inspire masterpieces: it developed the visual language of Western culture and changed forever our concepts of beauty and its creators.

For its part, Italy has announced, “Per due giorni lasciamo le porte aperte.” (For two days we leave the doors open.) On Saturday and Sunday, September 24 and 25, visitors will have entra gratis (free entrance) to all state luoghi della cultura (cultural places). Those of us lucky enough to be in Italy will have access to 5,105  museums, theatres, concerts, performances, meetings, exhibitions and educational workshops. You can find the complete program here.

The Italian minister for cultural arts and activities has declared that this weekend is “una preziosa occasione” (a precious occasion) to re-affirm with other nations their “radici culturali e storiche comuni” (common cultural and historical roots), even in these momenti di crisi (moments of crisis). This awareness may, he noted, help the European community trovare le risposte necessarie ad affrontare le sfide del presente”  (find the necessary responses to confront the present challenges).

Art has always had a powerful impact on the individual and on society. When they were created, the works of the Renaissance artists inspired reactions such as meraviglia, a sense of marvel or extraordinary delight, and stupore, which David Summers defines in Michelangelo and the Language of Art as “the state resulting from the perception of a thing that exceeded the limits of the senses.” Perhaps these are just what a weary and woeful world needs now.

Words and Expressions

le belle arti -– the fine arts

arti figurative –- figurative arts

artefice -– craftsman or woman

pittore/pittrice –- painter (masculine/feminine)

Dianne Hales is the author of LA BELLA LINGUA: My Love Affair with Italian, the World’s Most Enchanting Language.

Here is another tesoro, Stanford University's stunning recreation of Michelangelo's David:

Living on More than Bread Alone in the Italian Language

il pane toscano
Tuscan bread

    In his epic Divine Comedy, Dante Alighieri, who was banished from Florence for political reasons, bemoaned as one of the anguishes of exile “the saltiness of other people’s bread.”  His beloved hometown’s unsalted bread or pane (pronounced pah-nay) soaks up the flavors of sauces, stews, and soups, just like the Florentine dialect—the basis of modern Italian—soaked up the richness of Dante’s lush language.

    Among the varieties I've found in Florence are:
        *filone (long sticks of the classic Tuscan unsalted bread)
        *rondeggiante (round, flat loaves)
        *bozza or pagnotta (tall, round loaves)   
        *pan de ramerino (rosemary bread, decorated with a cross and once sold by traveling bread salesmen called semellai outside churches during Holy Week)
        *panina gialla aretina  (a rich yellow bread, often enhanced with raisins, saffron and spices, eaten at Easter with eggs blessed in church the day before)

    Pane doesn’t show up only at Italian tables.  An upstanding person is buono come il pane (good like bread, the equivalent of  “good as gold”).  A plain-spoken one says pane al pane  e vino al vino (calls a spade a spade).  Italians portano a casa la pagnotta (carry home the bread) rather than bring home the bacon. “Quando si ha fame il pane sa di carne.“ “Hunger makes bread taste like meat,”  they say.

    When someone meets his match, he trova pane per i propri denti (finds bread for his teeth).  If he has an opportunity but lacks the ability to make the most of it (or vice versa), he ha il pane ma  non ha i denti (has the bread but not the teeth). People who make all sorts of sacrifices si tolgono il pane di bocca (take the bread out of their own mouths) on behalf of others.

    At lunch in Florence, a friend torn between two options said the dilemma was like my pappa al pomodoro, the classic local tomato soup made with stale bread: se non è zuppa è pan bagnato (literally, if it’s not soup, it’s wet bread).  In English, we’d say “six of the one and half dozen of the other.” Both English and Italian speakers agree on one simple truth: “Non si vive di solo pane.“  (Man does not live on bread alone.)

Dianne Hales is the author of LA BELLA LINGUA: My Love Affair with Italin, the World's Most Enchanting Language.

    To see (and hear) mouth-watering pagnotta fresh from the oven, click the video.

Words and Expressions

mangiare pan pentito – eat penance bread (humble pie)

render pan per focaccia – give back bread for bread (tit for tat)

per un tozzo di pane –for a morsel of bread  (next to nothing)

mangiare pane a ufo – eat bread without paying (not earn one’s keep)

Honoring the Father of the Italian Language

 

Dante 

Almost seven centuries after Dante's death in 1321, I accompanied the official delegation of Florence and the Accademia della Crusca (bastion of the Italian language)  to Ravenna to bring oil for the lamp above his tomb.  At the touching ceremony I came to understand more fully why Italy’s foremost national hero is not a king, general, or statesman, but a poet:

Born in 1265, Dante was christened Durante (yes, as in Jimmy) and exiled for his political views . During his bitter years of wandering the hostile countryside, he composed La Commedia (a publisher later added “Divina”), a literary tour-de-force that has never been equaled.

This medieval masterpiece consists of 14,233 eleven-syllable lines, organized into 100 rhymed cantos in three volumes: Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso.  Rejecting Latin as too elitist and regional dialects (including his native Tuscan) as inadequate, Dante fashioned a lustrous new vernacular to portray a fantastic universe that stretched from the depths of hell to the heights of heaven. A word that Dante concocted best describes how he wrote: sovramagnificentissimamente, “in a very, very, very magnificent way."

The tale begins in the year 1300, when Dante—or “the pilgrim,” as scholars refer to his first-person narrator--loses his way in a dark wood, travels deep into the earth, and enters a funnel-shaped hell with nine concentric circles spiraling down into an icy center.

In this abyss of darkness and fright, the pilgrim sees and mentions by name 128 sinners and converses with 37 of them, meets 30 monsters, takes two hair-raising boat rides, faints twice, and witnesses the damned being whipped, bitten, crucified, burned, butchered, deformed by repulsive diseases, transformed into shrubs and snakes, buried alive in flaming graves, skewered into rocky ground, frozen in ice, and immersed in mud, excrement, boiling blood, or pitch.

Just as compelling as the plot is Dante’s language. Intoxicated by words, he splashed his vast canvas with terms from every realm of human thought and experience. Homey terms like  mamma  and babbo (daddy) appear along with words from late and medieval Latin. Classical allusions and ornate phrases rub against coarse expletives. Scientific terms clash against the sounds of street and stable.

The power of this epic has never diminished.  In his memoir of imprisonment in the concentration camp at  Auschwitz in World War II,  the great Italian writer Primo Levi recalls reciting from memory a canto from the  Divina Commedia to a young man who wanted to learn  Italian. As he pronounced the poet’s words, Levi felt that he too was hearing them for the first time, “like the blast of a trumpet, like the voice of God.  For a moment I forgot who we were and where we were.”  Dante miraculously shone rays of beauty even into that  especially dismal ring of hell.

Words and Expressions

un inferno Dantesco –- a place of great suffering, pain and sorrow

bolgia infernale -- one of the “rotten pockets” Dante describes within the depths of hell; used for an especially unpleasant or chaotic situation

“amor, ch’a nullo amato amar perdona” -- Dante’s description of a love so strong, like that between the doomed lovers Paolo and Francesca, that it permits “no loved one not to love.”

“senza infamia e senza lode” – Dante’s description of those who cannot take a position or stand up for their beliefs; commonly used for someone or something that’s neither bad nor good, just plain mediocre. 

"Fatti non foste a viver come bruti, ma per seguir virtute e canoscenza" -- “You were not born to live as beasts, but to pursue virtue and learning.” With these words, Dante recounts, Ulysses rallied his comrades to sail into the unknown. Italians quote them to capture the essence of the human spirit.

Dianne Hales is the author of LA BELLA LINGUA: My Love Affair with Italian, the World's Most Enchaning Language.

Actor and dantista Roberto Benigni brings Dante's words to life:

Checking into a Hotel in the Italian Language

 

albergo 

hotel

As we were tooling around Lago Maggiore on one of our first visits to Italy, my husband asked me, “Who is this guy Albergo and why is his name on so many buildings?” I gently explained that “albergo” means hotel. Derived from the Germanic haribergo for a military barracks, albergo dates back to the Dark Ages, when barbarian hordes swept over the Italian peninsula. 

 Italian hotels have come a long, long way since then, but I learned several valuable expressions several years ago when our hotel in Rome literally went dark: C’è un problema. (There’s a problem.) Manca la corrente. (Literally, the current is missing or lacking, which translates as “the electricity isn’t working.”) Manca l’acqua calda. (There’s no hot water.) 

 Italian hotels are ranked on a star system according to their quality and cost, with one star (una stella) indicating the most rudimentary of accommodations at the lowest rates and five stars (cinque stelle) for the most luxurious and costly. You can also stay at an albergo per famiglie (residential hotel), 
albergo per la gioventù or ostello della gioventù (youth hostel),

albergo a ore (a cheap hotel rented by the hours, 
albergo a gestione familiare (a family-run hotel), or a pensione (bed-and-breakfast). 

The staff at the front desk of most hotels, particularly in larger towns and cities, speak English, but hotels are a perfect place to practice your Italian. You will want to call or check online to make sure a hotel has una stanza disponibile (a free room, or vacancy). Indicate if you want a single (singola) or a double room (doppia), and be sure to find out quanto si paga per notte (what is the charge per night). 

When you arrive at the hotel, tell the desk clerk that you have una prenotazione (reservation). You will have to provide your passport and credit card. Un facchino (porter) will help you with il tuo bagaglio (your luggage). If you’re not satisfied with the room, you can say, “Preferisco una camera più grande—o più tranquilla o con vista.” “I prefer a larger room--or a quieter room or one with a view.") Ask how  the room temperature control, telephone, and television operate (come funziona ….) And be sure to get la chiave della camera (the room key). 

In the course of your stay, you may need to ask for a pillow (cuscino), blanket (coperta), towels (asciugamani), soap (sapone), or a hair-dryer (asciugacapelli or phon). Many hotels offer a breakfast buffet (colazione a buffet) in a dining room (sala da pranzo), but I prefer room service (servizio in camera). 

Later in the day I like to linger in the atrio (lobby) and watch the parade of travelers. The scene always reminds me of 
a complaint I’ve heard many an Italian mother make as her youngsters and their friends tromp in and out the door: 
“Questa casa non è un albergo!” “This house is not a hotel!” 

Words and Expressions l 

Vorrei una camera -- I’d like a room. 

per due persone -- for two people.  

per due notti -- for two nights  

albergo per famiglie -- residential hotel

albergatore, albergatrice -- innkeeper, landlord or landlady

Dianne Hales is the author of LA BELLA LINGUA: My Love Affair with Italian, the World's Most Enchanting Language. 

Taking a Trip in the Italian Language

 

Buon viaggio!

Have a good trip! 

On my first trip to Italy, I knew only one sentence in the Italian language: Mi dispiace ma non parlo l’italiano. I practically wore it out the very first day when my suitcase went missing on the way to Milan. Now before I even begin to fare i miei bagagli (make, or pack, my suitcases), I brush up on some essential Italian travel phrases.

In order to prenotare un volo (reserve a flight), I check the orario (schedule) online to find un volo diretto (a direct flight). I look for posti disponibili (seats available) in classe turistica. (economy class), business class (same in Italian), or prima classe (first class). I usually buy un volo di andata e ritorno (a round–trip flight) rather than un volo di sola andata (one-way ticket). I prefer un posto vicino al finestrino (window seat); my very tall husband, un posto vicino al corridoio (aisle seat). In these uncertain times I hope I don't have to annullare or cambiare il mio volo (cancel or change my flight).

As the date of my partenza (departure) approaches, I double-check the franchigia del bagaglio (luggage allowance), il mio passaporto (my passport), and the orario di partenza (time of departure). The Italian phrase for check-in time is l’orario per le procedure d’accettazione, but, understandably, even native speakers say “check-in.”

I like to arrive early, with my biglietto elettronico (e-ticket) or carta d’imbarco (boarding pass) and my bagaglio a mano (hand luggage). I stay in the sala d’attesa (waiting room) until it’s time to go to the cancello di imbarco (departure gate). 

I’m relieved to hear the announcement that the plane is imbarco immediato ( boarding now). I always worry about a ritardo (delay), especially if there’s a sciopero (strike)-- whether of i controllori di volo (air traffic controllers), gli assistenti di volo (flight attendants), il personale di terra (ground crew) or i piloti (pilots). 

On board I know I must allacciare la cintura di sicurezza (fasten my seatbelt) before decollo (take-off). The assistente di volo (flight attendant) offers a cuscino  (pillow), coperta (blanket), and cuffie auricolari (headset)  so I can listen to music or watch a movie. However, since it’s a long flight, I prefer to schiacciare un pisolino (take a little nap). 

After atterraggio (landing) at Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci airport (better known as Fiumicino for the nearby town named for a little river or fiume), I take a shuttle to the main terminal. I feel that I have truly arrived in Italy when I hear the announcement, “La navetta sta per arrivare.” (“The shuttle—literally little ship—is about to arrive.”) 

In the ritiro bagagli (baggage claim) area, I look for a sign indicating my flight number and the luggage carousel. Usually I rent a carrello (cart) to help with my bags. Once I waited, and waited, and waited but la mia valigia non è mai arrivata a destinazione (my suitcase never came). That’s when I learned another essential travel phrase: La mia valigia è stata smarrita. (My suitcase has been lost.) 

It turned up eventually, and I reminded myself that the rewards of travel outweigh its hassles. As Sant’Agostino (St. Augustine) observed very long ago, “Il mondo è un libro e quelli che non viaggiano ne leggono solo una pagina.” (“The world is like a book, and those who don’t travel read only one page of it.”) 

Words and Expressions 

agenzia di viaggio -- travel agency

viaggiare col cavollo di San Francesco -- to go on foot (on the horse of St. Frances)

viaggiare in un baule -- to travel in a trunk, that is, without seeing anything

fare un viaggio e due servizi -- to make one trip and two services or to kill two birds with one stone

Dianne Hales is the author of LA BELLA LINGUA: My Love Affair with Italian, the World's Most Enchanting Language.

Where Are You Going in the Italian language?

andare

to go

“I just flew in from the coast—and, boy, are my arms tired!”

If you translated this old joke into Italian, the punchline would make perfect sense. “Volare” literally means to fly like a bird. If you board a plane rather than flap your arms to cross the country, you have to say andare in aereo (go in a plane) or prendere un aereo (take a plane).

Going away (andarsene / andare via) can be as simple in Italian as it is in English. For instance, If you go out (andare fuori) you might go by train (andare in treno) or by car (andare in macchina). You could even go on horseback (andare a cavallo). The goal is to keep going ahead (andare avanti) and not go astray (andare fuori strada).

Walking, regardless of your pace (andatura), is more complicated. When you’re heading for a destination—be it a park, palace or post office -- you go by foot (andare a piedi—al parco, al palazzo, alla posta). Once you’re there, however, you simply walk (camminare) or take a walk (fare una passeggiata or un giro a piedi).

Would you rather camminare per strada (walk on the street) or camminare per la campagna (walk in the country)? Do you walk fast (camminare di buon passo) or slow (camminare adagio)? Do you sometimes wander around (andare a zonzo) with your head in the clouds? Some people like to camminare in montagna (walk in the mountains), but I prefer to camminare sulla spiaggia (walk on the beach).

Maybe you’re just coming and going (andirivieni). If you’re doing so on a bus or train, be sure to buy a return ticket (biglietto di andata e ritorno).  Without care, places and situations might andare a rotoli (go downhill). If you lose your temper, you could andare su tutte le furie or fuori dai gangheri (fly into a rage or get furious).   

If you like something, you might say that it goes to the genius (andare a genio) or goes to the bean (andare a fagiolo). If you’re really crazy about it, it might make you andare in solluchero or in visibilio (go into raptures). And what could be more delightful than the notion of andare in un brodo di giuggiole (going into a broth of berries), a great description for an effusive display of unadulterated joy?

Words and Expressions

a lungo andare -– in the long run

vado e torno -– I’ll be right back

non andar giu –- not go down, not be able to accept something

con l’andar del tempo –- with the passing of time

Dianne Hales is the author of LA BELLA LINGUA: My Love Affair with Italian, the World’s Most Enchanting Language.

Click below to listen to sweet melody that can go anywhere:  

 

Dress to Impress (or Kill) in the Italian Language

 

vestirsi

to dress

Americans on vacation in Italy typically dress for a day at Disneyworld in abbigliamento sportivo (sportwear or casual attire). Italians tend to ventirsi for an avventura, a word that can translate into both adventure and romance -- and ideally combines a little of both. In Italy clothes don’t merely cover the body; they send messages to express, impress, attract, amuse, define and seduce. What you choose to wear (indossare) translates into “il linguaggio dello stile” (the idiom of style), which can reveal as much as spoken or written language.

The point isn’t merely vestire gli ignudi (to clothe the naked) but vestire bene (to dress well). This can mean vestire con eleganza discreta (to dress with understated or subtle elegance), vestire alla moda (to wear fashionable clothes), vestire a festa (to wear one’s Sunday’s best), vestire splendidamente (to dress to kill) or vestire per fare colpo (to dress to impress).

In Milan, a capitale della moda (fashion capital), you can see a beautiful indossatrice (model) wearing the latest vestiti firmati (designer clothes) on the passerella (catwalk) at a sfilata di moda (fashion show). On the streets you’ll also see the occasional modaiolo (a trendy fashion victim) dressed in modo appariscente (in loud, flashy clothes). Yet very few Italians seem to have no dress sense (non avere gusto nel vestire). Most look well dressed (ben vestito) in a simple shirt (camicia) or blouse (camicetta) with slacks (pantaloni) or a skirt (gonna).

However, an Italian camicia doesn’t just cover the skin. You might go out In maniche di camicia (shirt sleeves) or a camiciotto (casual shirt), but you wouldn’t want to end up in a camicia di forza (strait-jacket). In English, the child of rich parents is said to be born with a silver spoon in his mouth. In Italian he’s nato con la camicia (born with the shirt).

If you put a great deal of effort into a project, you can claim to sudar sette camicie (sweat seven shirts). If you absolutely forget an appointment or a chore, you could say that it was a case of dimenticarsi di qualcosa come della prima camicia (forgetting something as totally as you’ve forgotten your first shirt).

Shirts aren’t only for people. Italians are so fashion-conscious that they even think of food as “dressed.” If you want poached eggs, for example, ask for uova in camicia.

Words and Expressions

vestito in bianco or vestito di bianco -– dressed in white

vestire di nero –- to dress in black or in mourning

sfilare sulla passerella –- to walk up and down the catwalk

farsi un vestito nuovo -- make yourself a new dress

Dianne Hales is the author of LA BELLA LINGUA: My Love Affair with Italian, the World’s Most Enchanting Language.

Click below to preview a terrific documentary on Valentino, who created the dresses in the photo above: