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Conoscere and Sapere: The Difference Explained

Conoscere and Sapere: The Difference Explained

Conoscere and Sapere: The Difference Explained

What’s the difference between “sapere” and “conoscere”? 

If you came across this page, it’s because you have been confused by using the Italian verbs sapere and conoscere. Fair enough!

English (and other languages) uses only one verb, the verb “to know,” to cover knowledge’s meaning in all possible forms.

Instead, Italian uses two different verbs: sapere and conoscere.

Sapere and conoscere are rarely interchangeable, and they express a different form of knowledge.

Let’s see now how to use the Italian verbs sapere and conoscere and what the difference between the two of them is. 

Conoscere

Conoscere means to be acquainted with something or someone: a topic, a person, a place, or a subject.

Conoscere is used with people, places or things and means having good knowledge of something or someone because you have previously experienced it.

If you are still not sure whether to use sapere or conoscere, try this:

Conoscere is always followed by a noun.

You will never see conoscere used with another verb (which instead, is likely to happen with sapere).

Examples:

  • Conosco la geografia italiana molto bene – I know Italian geography (topic/subject) very well.
  • Conosci Luciana? – Do you know Luciana? (person)
  • Conosci un buon ristorante a Roma? – Do you know a good restaurant in Roma? (place)
  • Conosciamo molto bene la città di Lucca – We know Lucca very well (place)
  • Conosci un buon dentista in città? Do you know a good dentist (place) in town?
  • Lucia conosce la grammatica molto bene – Lucia knows grammar (topic) very well

Sapere

The counterpart of conoscere is sapere. Sapere means “to be aware of something.” In short, sapere means knowing a fact, an event, or a piece of information.

It’s usually used to ask for a piece of information or report it. That’s why sapere would often appear in conjunction with the chunks “che / a che ora / quando / come / dove”.

  • Ho saputo che Marco si è trasferito – I learned Marco moved away 
  • Sai che Maria si è sposata? – Do you know that Maria got married?
  • Sai che Marco ha avuto un bambino? – Do you that Marco had a baby?
  • Sai che ore sono? – Do you know what time it is?
  • Sai quando parte il treno? – Do you know at what time the train is leaving?
  • Sapete dov’è Maria? – Do you (guys) know where Maria is?
  • Non so come cucinare questo piatto? – I don’t know how to cook this dish

Sapere as a modal verb 

Sapere is also used as a modal verb when an infinitive verb accompanies it. In this case, it is used to say that you know how to do something, that you have an ability or a skill.

  • So parlare molto bene italiano, ma non so cucinare – I can speak Italian, but I can’t cook!
  • Sai suonare la chitarra? – Can you play the guitar?
  • Sai nuotare? – Can you swim?

As you can see from the examples, English uses the verb “can” in these types of sentences, which often leads native English speakers to use the verb “potere” when they translate into Italian. This is wrong. Saying puoi parlare has a different meaning from sai parlare. 

Let’s have a look at it

  • puoi parlare in Italiano? means that you’re asking someone to speak in Italian
  • sai parlare italiano? means that you’re asking someone if he speaks Italian 
  • puoi nuotare? means that you’re asking someone to swim
  • sai nuotare? means that you’re asking someone if he can swim. 

Other uses of sapere 

Sapere also covers other meanings in Italian colloquial expressions. 

You can use sapere to:

  • tell the taste of something with the expression “sapere di” 
  • tell an opinion with the expression “mi sa che…” 

sapere di…

  • Questo drink non sa di niente – this drink tastes like nothing
  • Questo dolce sa di cannella – this cake tastes like cinnamon 

mi sa che..

  • Mi sa che rimango a casa stasera – I think I’ll stay home tonight
  • Mi sa che non cucino oggi, sono troppo stanca – I think I won’t cook today, I’m too tired.

“Mi sa” is an invariable chunk. In fact, we CAN’T use it with different pronouns.

You can practice the difference between conoscere and sapere and other difficult grammar topics with these excellent books

         

 

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Smettere & Fermare: What’s The Difference?

Smettere & Fermare: What’s The Difference?

Smettere & Fermare: What’s The Difference?

Misusing or swapping the verbs smettere and fermare is one of the most frequent errors Italian learners make, and I understand why. The confusion is driven by the fact that both verbs, in English, have only one translation: stop. 

Instead, unlike English, Italian has two different verbs to indicate the action of stopping. One verb is “smettere,” and the other one is “fermare.”

What’s the difference between the two of them, then? 

The difference lies in the way they’re used. 

Let’s have a closer look…

Smettere: to stop doing something

Smettere means “to stop doing something”. So, you should use smettere just with verbs. In fact, smettere always triggers a second action.

  • smettere di bere – to stop drinking
  • smettere di correre – to stop running 
  • smettere di fumare – to stop smoking 

In short, smettere has the meaning of ceasing or quitting and is always followed by the preposition di and an infinitive verb. 

Smettere can never be followed by a noun (ho smesso di lavoro) 

Examples: 

  • Vorrei smettere di fumare – I’d like to quit smoking
  • Ho smesso di lavorare per dedicarmi alla mia famiglia – I stopped working to spend more time with my family.

Attenzione! Smettere has an irregular past participle, which is “smesso.” 

So the passato prossimo (the past tense) of smettere would be: “ho smesso, hai smesso, ha smesso, abbiamo smesso, avete smette, hanno smetto”.

  • ho smesso di fumare a 40 anni – I quit smoking at 40

Fermare = to stop from moving 

Fermare describes a physically stopped movement by an intervention from outside. 

Examples: 

  • Ho fermato la macchina – I stopped the car
  • Il treno si è fermato – the train stopped

As you might have noticed, when the action described by the verb is transitive (meaning the verb is followed by an object like la macchina) the verb is normal. However, if the action is intransitive (meaning that the verb doesn’t have a direct object, and there’s no noun following the verb), the verb takes the reflexive form.

Examples: 

  • L’autobus si è fermato – the bus stopped (intransitive verb)
  • Mi sono fermato al bar – I stopped by the bar (intransitive verb)
  • Ho fermato la macchina – I stopped the car (transitive verb)
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Italian Adjectives & Expressions to talk about someone’s Personality 

Italian Adjectives & Expressions to talk about someone’s Personality 

Italian Adjectives & Expressions to Describe Someone’s Personality 

Describing someone’s personality in one’s native language is difficult enough, let alone in a language we don’t know well.  Adjectives are commonly used to describe someone’s personality.
I’ve created a list of some of the most basic Italian adjectives to use when discussing personality, as well as some fun and useful expressions for more advanced learners.
 
I recommend learning every adjective and its antonym and associating it with someone you know or yourself.
 

Basic Italian adjectives to describe someone’s personality 

buono – good  | cattivo – bad, mean

simpatico – nice, friendly | antipatico – unfriendly

empatico  – empathetic

gentile, educato – polite | maleducato – rude

generoso –  generous | taccagno  – cheap 

felice – happy | triste – sad

paziente – patient | impaziente – impatient

responsabile – responsible | irresponsabile – irresponsible

espansivo – effusive, warm | riservato – secretive, reserved

affettuoso – affectionate 

altruista – altruistic | egoista – selfish 

ottimista – optimistic | pessimista  – pessimistic

impulsivo  – impulsive | riflessivo – pensive 

sicuro di sé – confident | timido – shy

estroverso – extrovert | introverso – introvert

silenzioso – quiet | chiacchierone – chatty

coraggioso – brave | codardo – coward  

attivo – dynamic | pigro – lazy

affidabile – trustworthy, reliable | inaffidabile – untrustworthy, unreliable

ipocrita – hypocrite | sincero – honest

allegro – cheerful, bubbly

arrogante – arrogant

socievole – sociable | asociale – not sociable 

stravagante – extravagant  

sensibile – sensitive | insensibile – insensitive, callous 

 

Advanced Italian adjectives to describe someone’s personality

spensierato – cheerful, a person who doesn’t worry 

negligente – sloppy, carless 

pensieroso – thoughtful 

logorroico  – long-winded (in an annoying way)

loquace  – chatty, taktive

polemico – quarrelsome, someone who has always an argument 

scorbutico  – crabby, obnoxious person  

affascinante  – charming

superficiale – shallow

tenace, determinato – determined

lunatico – moody (NB: “lunatic” and “lunatico” are false cognates)

ipocondriaco – hypochondriac

vanesio  – vain

venale  – venel

permaloso – prickly 

saccente – a know-all, a smart-ass 

ambizioso – ambitious 

parsimonioso – thrifty

curioso – inquisitive

invadente – nosy

insistente – pushy 

sbadato – absent-minded

Italian expressions to describe someone’s personality 

avere un caratteraccio – to be bad tempered 

avere un carattere solare – to have a radiant personality

avere una personalità affascinante – to have a charming personality 

essere una vipera – to be bitchy  

avere la mente aperta – to open-minded

avere la mente chiusa – to be close-minded

essere alla mano  – to be easy going 

avere un  carattere deciso  – someone who knows what he wants

essere un rompiscatole – to be a pain in the neck (vulgar)

essere un attaccabrighe – to be troublemaker 

essere una persona di buon cuore  – to be  good-hearted

essere una persona di sani principi – to be someone with good values

essere in (gran) forma – to be in a great shape

essere fuori forma  – to be in poor shape

vivere in un modo tutto suo – to live in his own world

essere pieni di sé – to be full of yourself

essere fuori dagli schemi – an unconventional person 

avere una personalità forte – to have a strong personality 

avere i piedi per terra – to be down-earth

Italian adjectives to describe someone intellectual ability

geniale – brilliant

brillante – brilliant

sveglio – brainy (colloquial)

intelligente – intelligent

acuto – sharp 

furbo – cunning (negative)


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6 great Italian writers to explore the Italian modern literature

6 great Italian writers to explore the Italian modern literature

6 great Italian writers to explore the Italian modern literature

We all learn a foreign language because we want to use it. 

No matter what your Italian level is, picking up a remarkable Italian novel and flipping through its pages is a terrific learning practice that will open a door into the world of Italian literature. 

I have pulled together a list of my favorite Italian authors and novels to help you navigate the vast world of Italian literature and novelists in this article. 

This list of Italian writers is suitable for upper-intermediate or advanced Italian learners.

Most of the novels by these authors have sold millions of books worldwide and are available in different languages. So, if you are a beginner or intermediate Italian learner, don’t put yourself down. I encourage you to search for the translations into your native language

Remember, successful language learning is not just a matter of being able to speak (or read) the actual language, but flirting with its culture, films, and, why not, literature.

Antonio Tabucchi (1945 – 2012)

Italian novelist, short story writer, essayist, and playwright. His books are read all over the world, and he is regarded as one of the most representative voices in European literature. During his university years, he travels throughout Europe in the footsteps of his favorite European authors. On one of these trips, in Paris, he discovers the poem “Tabacaria” by the Portuguese poet Fernando Pessoa. Since then, Pessoa has been his primary focus for more than two decades. His interest for Pessoa brought him to study Portuguese language and literature and moved to Lisbon where he resieded unti his death. My favorite Tabucchi novel is Sostiene Pereira, in which he explores the topic of a man’s molarity through the character of a decadent journalist, Mr. Pereira. The style is appropriate for upper-intermediate learners and is filled with dialogues, making it a great resource for any Italian learner.

Other significant words by Tabucchi are

Oriana Fallaci (1929 – 2006)

Oriana Fallaci was an Italian journalistic superstar, author, and war reporter. In my personal opinion, she is one of the most extraordinary women that Italy has ever given birth to.

Coming from a working-class family, she was a bike messenger for anti-Fascists in World War II in Florence when she was just 14. In the past century, she massively traveled the world to interview world leaders, when journaling was mainly a male profession. She was one of the most prominent figures who spoke the truth to power. 

Once, she even had to perform a temporary marriage to enter Iran to interview Ayatollah Khomeini (unmarried women were not allowed to enter the country alone). 

There are many reasons why you should pick up one of her books and dive into her stories. These are not just stories but contemporary teachings about modern society and power work. She has sold over 20 million copies worldwide, and her books are translated into many foreign languages. 

Some of my favorite Fallaci’s works:

 

Tiziano Terzani (1938-2004)

Reading a Terzani novel is a joy for the soul. Terzani’s life was unique. After studying law and working as a manager for a major Italian company, he decided to turn his life upside down and start a new life in Asia. 

While working as a reporter in Europe, he developed a great interest in the philosophical aspects and spirituality of Asian cultures, which is reflected in his works. 

I recommend his novels to anyone who has a thing for Asian cultures and is interested in spirituality. 

He died from cancer in 2004 after traveling to several parts of the world to find a cure for the disease. He describes his quest for healing in one of its most beautiful novels, Un altro giro di giostra (One More Ride on the Merry-Go-Round). His works are a mixture of critical views towards the world’s capitalism, but they are also full of irony, positivity, and love for life, in every aspect.

Other significant novels by Terzani are:

 

Andrea Camilleri (1925 – 2019)

Some claim Andrea Camilleri is the most appreciated contemporary Italian author. Surprisingly, the most popular modern Italian author did not become well-known until he was in his fifties. Before becoming a famous author, he worked as a screenwriter for theater plays and television shows.

What brought him to fame were the Inspector Montalbano novels. 

What is unique about Camilleri’s works is the very language he uses. Many claim he has invented a language of his own, a mixture of Italian and Sicilian grammar and vocabulary. 

The best thing about his books is the evocative images of Sicily that make the reader feel like he is experiencing the Sicilian landscape and slow pace of life through the endeavors of the compelling and usual character of Inspector Montalbano. 

He has sold over 10 million copies and many of his books have been translated into many foreign languages. 

The most enjoyable books by Camilleri (according to me):

The original versions are filled with “Sicilianisms” and dialect words. The best way to enjoy Camilleri’s work as a non-native Italian speaker is by reading the books in your native language.  

 

Giorgio Scerbanenco (1911-1969)

If you love Milan and crime fiction, you should not miss the Scerbanenco detective novels.  

Scerbanenco was a writer of Ukrainian origin, who immigrated to Italy with his family as a child, and eventually settled down in Milan as a young adult. 

His best novels are often described as Milanocentric because they barely refer to other Italian cities or regions. Instead, they show Scerbanenco’s affection for Milan and its inhabitants. The town described in his novels is very distant from the city that everyone knows today. The characters in his novels are Milaneses undergoing a significant change, from the simplicity of life towards consumerism and capitalism. Far from being eccentric and capitalist, Milano was a vast industrialist village, slowly turning into the giant today. 

The best works of Scerbanenco are the compelling detective series starring the detective Duca Lamberti; a doctor struck off the register for having performed euthanasia and, hence, turned detective. 

Luigi Pirandello (1867-1936)

Luigi Pirandello was a novelist, poet, dramatist, and Nobel Prize winner of Sicilian origins. 

Every Italian has studied him in school, and he is one of the most prominent Italian characters related to literature and philosophy in the 20th century.

Pirandello is also considered a philosopher because his works touch upon the concept of human identity. Pirandello’s thinking focuses on the idea that we live in an inflow, and thus, we live in constant change. As a result of our day-to-day experiences, we constantly change our shape and way of thinking. We are never the same. 

The constant changes lead us not to see ourselves for what we are in the moment but what other people see in us.

Pirandello is one of those life-changing readings that I would recommend to anyone searching for themselves and the meaning of humanity. 

His most significant works are:

Novels

Plays

 

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How to say the time in Italian correctly

How to say the time in Italian correctly

HOW TO SAY THE TIME IN ITALIAN

I am writing this article because I believe that talking about time is one of those topics you can use to break the ice or start a small talk in Italian or when in Italy. 

This is a topic that is often overlooked, but should not be. Anyone can ask you what time it is? for any number of reasons during your trips to Italy, and you want to be prepared to answer in the best way.

 

First, the word “time” has two primary meanings in Italian.

Time, as a period, translates into tempo

The time, by the clock, is translated into ora

 

How To Say “What Time Is It?”

When you want to ask someone what time it is in Italian, you should say:

Che ore sono?

As you might notice by yourself, both the word “ore” and the verb “essere” appear in their plural form. This makes sense, because “time” in Italian is plural, just as numbers are plural.

When replying to “che ore sono” you :

  • Sono le + any time of the day 
  • Sono le 9 – it’s 9 am (or 9 pm)

There are a few exceptions to the rule that involve the number 1, which is, by any means, singular.

  • E’ l’una → it’s 1 am (or 1 pm)
  • E’ mezzogiorno → it’s noon
  • E’ mezzanotte → it’s midnight 

 

Don’t forget that 24-hour usage is widespread in Italy, especially when setting appointments or in formal situations, like in the workplace. A train or plane ticket will use the 24h system too.

Nevertheless, the 12-hour usage is also widely accepted in informal situations.

For instance, it is common to say

  • Le 9 di mattina – 9 am (9 in the morning)
  • Le 9 di sera – 9 pm (9 in the night)

 

How To Count Minutes When Saying The Time In Italian?

Minutes past

Until 35 minutes past, you can use the following pattern:

  • Sono le 9 e cinque – 9:05
  • Sono le 9 e dieci – 9:10
  • Sono le 9 e quindici – 9:15
  • Sono le 9 e venti – 9:20
  • Sono le 9 e venticinque – 9:25
  • Sono le 9 e trenta – 9:30
  • Sono le 9 e trentacinque – 9:35

With quarter and half, the following pattern is preferred.

Sono le 9 e un quarto – 9:15

Sono le 9 e mezzo – 9:30

Minutes to

  • Sono le 9 meno 20 – 8:40
  • Sono le 9 meno 15 – 8:45
  • Sono le 9 meno 10 – 8:50
  • Sono le 9 meno 5 – 8:55

With the quarter minus, the following pattern is preferred:

  • Sono le 9 meno un quarto – 8:45

 

How To Say In Italian “What Time…?”

If you need to meet an Italian friend, you need to ask her what time you will meet in Italian, right?

The question slightly changes from the previous one, and, it is:

  • A che ora….?

And the answer is…

  • Alle…

Examples 

  • A che ora ci vediamo domani sera? – What time do we meet tomorrow night?
  • Alle 20 – At 8 pm

 

More on this topic…

The adverb “verso”

When asking someone what time you should do something, an Italian person might reply by using the adverb “verso” right before the time.

  • A che ora ci vediamo domani? – What time are we meeting tomorrow?
  • Verso le 10 – at around 10, tenish

Note that you are not using the preposition alle, but the adverb verso + the article le

The expression “in punto”

Another common Italian time expression is “in punto”.

  • Che ore sono? – What time is it?
  • Sono le 10 in punto – It’s ten (in punto means that it’s precisely 10)

Other frequent Italian expressions with the word “time”

  • Have you got the time? – hai l’ora esatta? 
  • to be on time (person) → essere puntuale
  • to be on time (transports ) – essere in orario
  • Just in time – appena in tempo

 

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How to use BENE, BRAVO, BELLO and BUONO!

How to use BENE, BRAVO, BELLO and BUONO!

How to use BENE, BRAVO, BELLO and BUONO

IN A NUTSHELL…

  • Bravo is used just with people –> Paolo è bravo! (Paolo is skilled, talented)  
  • Buono refers to the interior qualities of things or people. –> Paolo è buono (Paolo is good at heart) 
  • Bello refers to the exterior qualities of things or people. –> Paolo è bello (Paolo is handsome)  
  • Bene is used just with verbs. –> Paolo parla inglese bene (Paolo speaks English well)

WHEN TO USE BENE IN ITALIAN

Bene is often misused. One of the most recurring mistakes in Italian is using bene for good. That’s incorrect.

Bene has one and only one translation: WELL.

Bene is an adverb, which means that it must follow a verb.

  • Marco cucina bene
  • Lucia disegna bene   

Intensifiers of bene

 molto bene, benissimo, strabene (colloquial) 

Never say: il libro è bene ❌

WHEN TO USE BRAVO IN ITALIAN

Bravo is another adjective which is often misused too. 

Bravo means, indeed, good. But, it’s just used for a person. 

Italian use bravo to say that a person is good at doing something

  • Luca è bravo a disegnare / Luca è bravo in disegno 

Note that you can use the adverb bravo in two different way:

  • essere bravo + a + verb – Luca è bravo a cucinare
  • essere bravo + In + noun – Luca è bravo in cucina 

In a nutshell, we can say that bravo is used when someone has a talent, a skill or is simply good at doing something.

Bravo has a secondary meaning too.

Bravo is also used to indicate the moral qualities of a person.  

  • Una brava persona – a person with ethical values
Popular Italian expressions using bravo 
  • Che bravo! – well done!
  • Bravo! – well done!

WHEN TO USE BELLO IN ITALIAN

Bello means nice if applied to something, or beautiful/ handsome if applied to someone.

In short, bello indicates the physical quality of someone or the appearance of something.

Italian uses the adjective bello to give an opinion on the external quality of something or someone. 

Intensifiers of bello

  • Molto bello, bellissimo, strabello (colloquial) 

Examples with bello 

  • Quel palazzo è bellissimo
  • Quella donna è proprio bella
  • Che bella città!
  • Che bella casa!
  • Questo mobile è bello!
Popular Italian expressions using bello
  • Che bello! ‘That’s lovely!

Do you that bello becomes begli, bei or bel sometimes? In this article, I explain to you why.

BELLO and BEL in Italian

WHEN TO USE BUONO IN ITALIAN

Buono means good and is used to give an opinion about the interior qualities of something or someone.

If a person is buona, we mean that this person has ethical qualities. 

  • Marco è buono – he is good-hearted or a person with good moral qualities  

If something is buono, we mean that this thing has a good quality.

  • Quella pasta è buona.
  • Questo prodotto è buono.
  • Questo mobile è buono.

Intensifiers of buono

  • molto buono, buonissimo, strabuono (colloquiale) 
Popular Italian expressions using bello. 
  • Che buono! – it’s delicious!
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49 Italian words and collocations related to cooking

49 Italian words and collocations related to cooking


The kitchen in Italy is, without any doubts, the most favorite room in an Italian household. Having a big, bright and fully-equipped kitchen is the dream of every one of us! Why so? The kitchen for Italians is not just a place where you get some food ready and run off. Nope! It is a place devoted to the creation of something. Thus, a practical and welcoming atmosphere is a must-have.

Italians, unlikely other cultures, tend to consume their meals in the kitchen, where you can often find also a couch and a TV. Hence, it comes as no surprise the kitchen is probably the room where the Italian spend most of their time when at home.

Knowing the Italian names of the objects and the everyday actions carried out when cooking a meal will surely come you into handy when visiting your friends in Italy or taking your Italian cookery course in Tuscany.

This is why I have put together this list of sentences related to the kitchen and cooking, which you would hardly find in any textbooks.

Have fun!

Objects to be found in almost every kitchen

La pentolaThe pot
La padellaThe frying pan
Il lavandinoThe kitchen sink
Lo straccioThe mop
Le posateThe cutlery
La lavastoviglie The dishwasher
I fornelliThe stove
Il rubinetto The tap
Lo scaffale The shelf
L’armadietto The cabinet
Il bollitoreThe kettle
Il tagliereThe cutting board
La scodellaThe bowl
Il frigoriferoThe fridge
Il freezer The fridge-freezer
Il piattoThe dish
Il coltelloThe knife
Lo scolapastaThe colander

Actions to prepare a lovely meal

Tagliare a pezziTo chop
Tagliare a fetteTo slice
Cucinare a fuoco lentoTo braise
Cucinare a puntinoTo cook to a turn
Cuocere la pastaTo cook the pasta
Buttare la pastaTo put the pasta into the boiling water
Scolare la pasta To drain the pasta
Lessare le verdureTo boil the vegetables
Mettere in forno To put in the oven
Cucinare al forno To cook in the oven
Saltare in padellaTo stir-fry
L’acqua bolle The water boils
Friggere le uovaTo fry the eggs
Impanare To roll in breadcrumbs
Rosolare To brown
Mettere l’olio To put the oil
Aggiungere il saleTo add the salt
Pelare le patateTo peel the potatoes
CondireTo season
Scaldare To heat
Un pizzico di saleA pinch of salt
Grattugiare il formaggio To grate the cheese
Mescolare To stir


What about cooking a good dessert?

Amalgamare gli ingredientiTo combine the ingredients
Sbattere le uovaTo beat the eggs
Infornare la tortaTo bake the cake
Sfornare la tortaTo take out of the oven
Versare la farinaTo pour the flour
Inzuppare To soak
Spolverare il cacaoTo dust the cocoa powder
Montare a neve
To whip up
4 FOOD-BASED IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS

And to end with the bang, if your Italian is already fabulous, but you want to speak like a pro, try to use these four food-related expressions:

Fare una spaghettata – to make and eat spaghetti

  • Stasera facciamo una spaghettata tra amici

Essere pieno come un uovo  – to be full as an agg

  • Ho mangiato troppo, mi sento pieno come un uovo

Essere un pezzo di pane – to be good and generous

  • mio nonno era un pezzo di pane

Avere l’acquolina in bocca – to crave for a delicious food that you have seen or smelled

  • Quella pubblicità mi ha fatto venire l’acquolina in bocca!
7 ways to say ”you’re welcome” in Italian

7 ways to say ”you’re welcome” in Italian

7 Ways To Say ”You’re Welcome” In Italian

How many different ways do you know to say “you’re welcome” in Italian? 

If you think prego is the most common, you might be surprised to learn that there are six other ways to say it.
Check out the list below for more tips on how to be more pleasant and natural when speaking Italian.

1. PREGO

Prego is the easiest and most popular way to say you’re welcome in Italian. Besides meaning you are welcome, prego also means please in some contexts and is the first person singular of the present tense of the verb pregare (to pray).

– Grazie per il tuo aiuto!

– Prego!

 

2. DI NIENTE

Di niente is as much used as prego, and it means nothing.

– Grazie per il tuo aiuto!

– Di niente!

 

3. FIGURATI! – SI FIGURI!

Figurati (used in an informal setting ) and Si figuri (used in a formal setting) stand for “don’t mention it! 

– Grazie per il tuo aiuto!

– Figurati! / Si figuri!

 

4. NON C’è DI CHE 

Non c’è di che means’ don’t say/mention it! and gives the idea that you did what you were thanked for with pleasure.

– Grazie per il tuo aiuto!

– Non c’è di che

 

5. NON C’è PROBLEMA

Non c’è problema” means “no problem at all’.

– Grazie per il tuo aiuto!

– Non c’è problema!

 

6. E DI CHE?

E di che?  means, literally, what are you thanking me for? and it’s used only in informal settings.

– Grazie per il tuo aiuto!

– E di che?

 

7. CI MANCHEREBBE ALTRO!

Ci mancherebbe altro! means ‘of course, obviously’. You can use it when you do a favor to somebody and he or she is very thankful for that. In short, ‘ci mancherebbe altro’ means something like ‘I did it with pleasure, don’t mention it!”

– Grazie per il tuo aiuto!

– Ci mancherebbe altro!

BONUS: when PREGO means “please” or “can you repeat?

Prego is also used when it has a different meaning in Italian than you’re welcome.

When “prego” means “please“
For example, if you’re standing in line at a cash register and  somone says “prego,” it means “you first, after you,” or if you’re on crowded public transportation and want to let someone pass you by at the exit door, you can say “prego” to the person. 

In short, depending on the situation, PREGO means also please, after you, you first 

When “prego” means “can you repeat?”

when prego is used in a question, like prego? is a polite way to say “Can you repeat?” or “Come again”


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Learning The Days of the Week in Italian

Learning The Days of the Week in Italian

Days of the week in Italian

The Italian calendar is based on the ancient Roman system and is composed of seven days.

lunedì (Monday)

martedì (Tuesday)

mercoledì (Thursday)

giovedì (Friday)

sabato (Saturday)

domenica (Sunday).

As you can see, the days from Lunedì to Venerdì end with a stressed vowel “ì”. It means The last vowel must be pronounced higher in pitch (basically, you’ll have tho stress on the last syllable) 

English vs Italian: the differences 

Do you capitalize days of the week in a sentence ? No, we don’t.

Unlike in English, names of days are not capitalized, (neither the months). 

Unlike in English, the days are not preceded by a preposition. While you would say “on” Monday in English, you should say simply lunedì (Monday) in Italian. So, simply, get rid of the “on” in Italian.

Unlike English, in Italian the days can’t be pluralized, so the word Mondays, for example, remains lunedì and does not have a plural form in Italian.

 

Days of the week with articles

You should use the article “il” or “la” in front of the day if you want to say that something happens every Monday as a routine.

  • il lunedì means every Monday 
  • il martedì means every Tuesday  
  • il mercoledì means every Wednesday   
  • il giovedì means every Thursday    
  • il venerdì means every Friday     
  • il sabato means every Saturday      
  • la domenica  means every Sunday      

Days of the week without the article 

If you use any day of the week without the definite article “il” in Italian, it means that the action will take place the following Monday, Tuesday, etc.

So, saying..

“domenica vado in spiaggia” means next Sunday I’m going to the beach 

 
How to say “last” and “next” in Italian 

Last in Italian is “scorso”

Next in Italian is “prossimo”

We tend to use these adjectives with days.

  • Lo scorso venerdì or venerdì scorso means last Friday (the letter is more common than the first)
  • Domenica prossima means next Sunday

Months of the year in Italian

  • gennaio – January
  • febbraio – February 
  • marzo – March 
  • aprile – April 
  • maggio – Mai
  • giugno – June
  • luglio – July
  • agosto – August
  • settembre – September 
  • ottobre – October
  • novembre – November
  • dicembre – December 

The prepositions “a” or “in” are used to say “in” before a month in Italian. The expressions “a gennaio” and “in gennaio” are interchangeable. The months of the year are not capitalized in Italian.

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5 Italian Sayings on love

5 Italian Sayings on love

5 Italian proverbs about love

 

1. L’amore non è bello, se non è litigarello

There is no equivalent in English, although searching the I came across a quote by Shakespeare that sums up the meaning of the Italian provarb above. 

‘The course of true love never did run smooth‘. 

When do Italians say “l’amore non e’ bello se non e’ litigarello?”

This Italian proverb pretends to ease the tension after a little quarrel by objecting that a relationship can’t be always bella‘ (or healthy) without a small fight from time to time. Of course, the hardest times make your relationship stronger. The adjective litigarello (originating from the verb litigare) is not used in any other expressions, but this one.

 

2. Chi s’assomiglia si piglia

Literally: who are alike, end up with each other. 

The proverb originates from the Tuscany dialect and means that those who have similar features (both in their bodies and characters ) are attracted to each other.

 

3. Sfortunato al gioco fortunato in amore

Literally: unlucky at cards, lucky in love. 

This Italian saying is often used to ease the pains of somebody who is losing playing a game, usually playing cards. 

 

4. Il primo amore non si scorda mai

English: You never forget your first love. The proverb explains itself.

 

5. Al cuore non si comanda

English: Love is blind, or you can’t rule the heart. A person who is in love might not see the faults in his/her partner, then others might see. Pretty malicious, but I have heard it a few times.

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14 Italian Short Stories

14 Italian Short Stories

14 Brilliant Short Stories in simple Italian To Take your vocabulary To The Next Level 

1. Due amiche e un album di fotografie – Beginners A1/A2

Get a taste of the first chapter of “Due amiche” here: https://issuu.com/serena699/docs/due_amiche_-_sample_ 

This is an easy-to-read Italian short story ebook, with each unit taking no more than 10-20 minutes to complete.

This book course, designed for English speakers, is intended for both newcomers to Italian and intermediate students looking to brush up on their skills.
The story is set in one of Italy’s most beautiful regions, South Tyrol (or Alto Adige), and revolves around the life of Costanza, who embarks on a summer adventure in the Dolomites with her friend Anna.
The book is divided into 16 short units and is finished with useful vocabulary and explanations in English. This short story series is ideal for those who want to learn more than just the language, but also about the culture, food, and way of life in various Italian regions. The e-book is completed with audio book narrated by the author.
 

2. Amore e Cappuccino – beginners A0/A1

If you have learned Italian for a month or two, Amore and Cappuccino is the first short story you should read. This is an Italian short storybook for A0-A1 level. If you are an advanced beginner, you will find this book way too easy, so scroll below for the other ones :). The language used is simple and tailored for a real beginner Italian learner. Each chapter consists of short dialogues between the two main characters: a German girl visiting Rome and her date, Claudio, a man that hides a few mysteries. The setting is the eternal city of Rome. The best about Amore and Cappuccino is that it takes place in Rome’s most iconic areas, and other than the language, it teaches you of a few elements of Roman art and culture. An excellent introductory course on the eternal city if you are planning to visit Rome one day.

 

Italian short stories

We are n Milan,  Italy’s fashion and financial capital.
A blonde woman walks into detective Antonio Esposito’s office one October morning.
Margaret, her daughter, who is a model,  is missing, and she’s on the lookout for her. 
 A lovely mystery book for advanced beginners or intermediate students who want to improve their Italian language skills while expanding their vocabulary by reading a brilliant short story in Italian tailored to their level.

 

4. Dolomiti – Beginners A1

I love this short story because it takes you to one of my favorite areas in Northern Italy – the Dolomites!
This storybook is written in the present tense. It revolves about Emanuela, a young woman who lives in Dobbiaco (a picturesque mountain village immersed in the Dolomites) and still is not very happy with her life…until when she finds a way to change it. 

The story uses a great deal of useful Italian vocabulary for work/transport and the mountains. At the end of the book, you will find a cultural section where you can read in simple Italian all about the culture, the language, and the food Aldo Adige (Sudtirol), the region where the Dolomites belong.

The book’s level is for Italian learners who have learned the language for 3-4 months and are familiar with the basic Italian grammar and most recurring Italian everyday vocabulary.

 

5. Come hai detto che ti chiami – advanced beginners / A1-A2.1

Have you already landed the foundations for your basic Italian grammar and vocabulary? If you have learned the Italian present perfect (passato prossimo), the common irregular verbs and the basic pronouns, this story is for you.The setting is the beautiful city of Como in Northern Italy. It’s a story about a young German woman learning Italian in Germany and an Italian young man learning German in Italy. They meet online for a language exchange; their friendship is based on a misunderstanding, though! This book is a fun story that won’t only reinforce your basic Italian grammar but also help you internalize a lot of relevant Italian vocabulary through the power of reading in context. And if you haven’t been to Como yet, you will learn a lot about the city too.

 

6. Le città impossibili – advanced beginners A1/A2

This is a great short storybook for those who explore the major Italian cities through its cliches. The book contains 12 chapters: each chapter focuses on a different town from Palermo to Turin. Every chapter isn’t longer than two pages and follows the steps of a first time visitor in the cities. At the end of the book, you will find some useful vocabulary and exercises and cultural insights about each town. This resource helps the advanced beginners, and it focuses more on vocabulary (lots of adjectives, vocabulary related to cities) rather than the grammar.

7. Storie per i giorni di festa – advanced beginners A1/A2

Have you ever heard about Carnevale? Or Ferragosto? Or do you know how Italians love to spend their Saturdays night? This Italian short story book for advanced beginners is culture based. Each chapter tells you a story related to a significant Italian holiday and the Italian habits that go with it. Brilliant book if you want to expand your Italian vocabulary and strengthen your beginner grammar. As usual for the Alma Italian short stories book, you will find grammar and vocabulary exercises and extra cultural insights.

 

8. Imparo l’italiano con le favole di Esopo (A1/A2)

This Italian short story book contains fourteen of Aesop’s fables translated and adapted for a beginner level: the first seven are in the present tense, the last seven in the past tense.Each chapter (fable) comes with a vocabulary list of the story’s essential words and some simple exercises. You will also have the option to listen to the audio tracks by downloading the audiobook for free by following the last page’s instructions. The fables are profound and straightforward, with a final moral to discover. This short story series in Italian is ideal for those learning Italian at A1 or A2 level

 

9. Pasta per due – false beginners (A1)

What happens when we are in a foreign country, and we don’t understand the language well? Many misunderstandings, of course. Like those that occur to Minni, an Asian girl, when arriving in Italy for the first time to meet her Italian friend Libero in Rome. A fun story that, not only will reinforce your beginner grammar but will teach you frequent Italian popular expressions, especially those involving the verb fare.

 

10. Storie di Italiani famosi – beginners (A1-A2)

This is a delightful Italian short storybook for beginners about nine great Italian history and culture personalities: Leonardo da Vinci and Federico Fellini, Michelangelo, or Gianni Versace. All the stories recount a real or imaginary episode in the protagonists’ lives, also highlighting their world and their time. Frosting on the cake, every chapter comes with vocabulary and grammar activities and short texts about cultural aspects. In a nutshell, one of the best short story books available on the market is not just about Italian, but about the history and Italian culture.

11. La vicina di casa (intermediate, A2/ B1)

This is a short story book aimed at intermediate students. The story takes place in Piedmont, a mountainous region of Italy bordering France and Switzerland. This ebook is available on Amazon and tells the story of a young Italian writer who relocates to a picturesque village in the heart of Piedmont for a change of scenery. There, she experiences a different pace of life, makes new friends, and learns about different cultures and traditions. of the territory 

 

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12. Mafia, amore e polizia  (advanced beginners A2+)

A short mystery novel that combines love and crime for lower-intermediate Italian students. An insight into the Italian mafia (written in simplified Italian) stands out especially at the end of the book. This ebook, which includes audio, uses the present simple, imperfect, and past tense. A fantastic story for Italian students at the lower intermediate level.

 

13. In other words – Jhumpa Lahiri (intermediate, B1)

In other words, this is an unusual book about the author’s fascination with the Italian language and the tenacity with which she pursued her goal for more than two decades, to the point where she wrote an Italian book about how and a little less about why she made this life choice. The version of the book is especially useful for English native speakers because it includes a page-by-page English translation. The book is aimed at advanced or upper-intermediate Italian students.

 

14. Piccole storie d’Amore (intermediate, B1)

This is a short story for intermediate Italian learners. The book is made up of nine different love stories. Each story is unique and contains new and exciting vocabulary. Several different verb tenses, pronouns, and prepositions are discussed in the book. It is necessary to have a solid grasp of intermediate grammar. The audiobook is included.

Before you start, check my guide on how to learn Italian effectively with short stories

How to proactively use a short story to speak better Italian at any level

 

SMART TIPS 
  1. Use these short stories in Italian, if you are a beginner or advance beginner and you are looking for an efficient ways to consolidate your Italian grammar and vocabulary. 
  2. Be proactive: don’t limit yourself to read the stories. Use them with your Italian teacher or language exchange partner. Summing up each chapter in 6-8 sentences or discuss it with your teacher is a brilliant way to cement the new vocabulary and fix the grammar patterns. 
  3. Don’t underestimate reading, at any level. Reading is the way to go to boost your Italian since the very beginning of your learning journey. Why? When you read, you naturally absorb things like the correct order of the different parts of the speech, the correct conjugations  or the use of the prepositions.
  4. Re-read your story. One you are done with one of these short stories books in Italian don’t put them way for ever. Set them side for a couple of months and go back to re-read it a second or third time: that’s how you will learn efficiently (retain) your vocabulary.
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The 21 Most Popular Italian Sayings About Life and Their Meanings

The 21 Most Popular Italian Sayings About Life and Their Meanings

The 21 Most Popular Italian Sayings About Life and Their Meanings

Learning sayings in Italian may not only help you with your learning but also give you an insight into the culture of Italy. There are many Italian sayings that are used in everyday life;

Most Italian proverbs have clear cultural or regional boundaries, making them difficult to interpret without a thorough understanding of Italian culture and history. The vast majority of Italian sayings are simply wise words that can be found in a variety of languages and cultures.  

How to learn Italian sayings effectively as a non-native speaker? 

The most effective way to incorporate Italian sayings or idioms is to choose the transparent ones, that is, those with a literal translation in your mother language: they simply make more sense and are easier to remember. 

In this list, I chose to focus on these sayings because they represent some aspects that are very typical for Italy and Italians, like family values, life,  love, or food. And, they are sentences we Italians really use. 

Do you want to learn more idioms? Try these Latin ones 12 Latin expressions Italian likes to use. 

1. Fidarsi è bene ma non fidarsi è meglio

Trusting is good, but not trusting is better.

Meaning: It means that while trust is important in life, you don’t have to be overly optimistic; a little extra attention won’t hurt anyone.  

2. Finché c’è vita, c’è speranza

As long as there is life there is hope

Meaning: It means that one should never despair, even in difficult circumstances. This expression is sometimes used ironically with those who continue to hope despite the fact that it is useless.

3. Il fine giustifica i mezzi

the end justifies the means

Meaning:  it means that If the goal is good, one should not be concerned with the means and methods employed to get there.

4. Can che abbaia non morde 

The dog that barks doesn’t bite

Meaning: It means that those who make a lot of threats don’t always follow through with their threats.  

5. Parlare come un libro stampato

To talk like a printed book

Meaning: someone who speaks like a printed book does so by using the language correctly and appropriately, as a book would. 

6. A caval donato non si guarda in bocca 

You don’t look a gift horse in the mouth

Meaning: “caval donato” literally means a horse that has been given as a gift.  “Non si guarda in bocca” means you should look in the mouth (of the horse). 

In a figurative sense, the statement implies that you should not criticize what has been given to you. This expression comes from the old practice of horse traders inspecting a horse’s teeth before purchasing it, to determine the good health of the animal.

7. Ambasciator non porta pena 

Don’t shoot the messenger

Meaning: this phrase essentially indicates that “the ambassador does not give unpleasant news”  The meaning of the statement is that anyone who delivers bad or unpleasant news on behalf of others is not responsible and hence cannot be condemned.

8. Le bugie hanno le gambe corte 

Lies have short legs 

Meaning: that’s, of course, an appeal not to lie because “lies have short legs.” What does it mean? It means that lying won’t get you anywhere because lies have “short legs” and so they can’t go a long way and won’t last long.

 9. Piove sempre sul bagnato 

It always rains on the wet (lit.)

Meaning: when it rains, it pours is the closest English translation. This sentence has only a negative connotation in English, implying that things are continuing to go wrong for someone who is already unlucky. Piove sul bagnato also has a positive connotation in Italian. It also means that those who have already had good fortune will continue to have it.

10. Occhio non vede, cuore non duole

The eye doesn’t see, the heart does not hurt (lit.) 

Meaning: If you don’t see something you probably don’t want to know about, you won’t suffer from it. So, what the eye doesn’t know, the heart doesn’t grieve over it.

11. Ogni lasciata è persa

Everything left is lost (lit.)

Meaning: this Italian proverb is used to point out that if you haven’t been able to seize an opportunity when it arose, you will most likely miss it forever. It’s then used as an exhortation to take the chances when they arise, without pondering and postponing too much. 

12. Chi nasce tondo non può morir quadrato

Those who are born round, can’t die square (lit.)

Meaning: this Italian proverb suggests that it’s complicated to eradicate bad habits and that it’s complicated, if not impossible, to change them.

13. Non si può avere la botte piena e la moglie ubriaca 

You can’t have a barrel full of wine and a drunk wife at the same time (lit.)

Meaning: this Italian saying is good for those who struggle to make decisions. Sometimes to get something, you need to give up on something else. You can’t have your cake and eat it too. Sometimes, you can’t have all you want simultaneously, but you need to give up on something.  

14. Paese che vai usanze che trovi 

Every country you visit has different customs (lit.)

Meaning: that’s an invitation to be tolerant of the customs of other cultures. 

That’s the Italian equivalent of the famous saying when in Rome, do as the Romans do. 

15. Mal comune mezzo gaudio

Shared trouble, shared joy 

Meaning: that’s an invitation to open up or share your trouble. If you share it, it’s less likely to overwhelm you, and your problem won’t seem so daunting. A trouble shared is a trouble halved. 

16. Chi ha tempo non aspetti tempo

Who has time, shouldn’t wait for time 

Meaning: that’s something you can say to invite someone to stop procrastinating and put off until tomorrow what he can do today.  

17. La notte porta consiglio

 Night brings advice 

Meaning: some days we are presented with many challenges or important decisions to make. That’s why it makes more sense to sleep over it and make your choices in the morning with a fresh mind.

Read also: 5 Italian sayings on love 

5 Italian Sayings on love

18. L’ospite è come il pesce dopo tre giorni puzza 

A guest is like a fish that, after three days, stinks 

Meaning: I find it very funny and real. We all like to have friends and family around, but we don’t like it anymore if they stick around too long. 

19. Meglio soli che male accompagnati

Better alone than in the bad company 

Meaning: This saying can be used in a situation where one is not happy about doing something alone. It says that it is better to be alone or carry a task individually than in the company of someone that might harm your life, business, tasks.

20. L’erba del vicino è sempre più verde

The grass is always greener on the other side

Meaning: That’s a saying that you can find in almost every language. The English have a literal translation of the Italian proverb. L’erba del vicino è sempre più verde means that we might think that our friends or neighbors are in a better situation than ourselves, even though this is not true.

21. De gustibus non disputandum est (Latin) – Tastes differ 

Tastes differ (lit.)

Meaning: Italy has a long list of Latin sayings that have survived into modern Italian, such as De gustibus non disputandum est. It means that everyone is different and so has different tastes. We should be tolerant and respect other people’s feelings or inclinations.

Read also: 12 Latin Sayings in Italian 

12 Latin words (and expression) used in Italian

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Best Italian short stories in Italian for intermediate learners

Best Italian short stories in Italian for intermediate learners

BEST SHORT STORIES IN ITALIAN FOR INTERMEDIATE LEARNERS 

If reading in Italian has become overwhelming for you, you may not have been using the appropriate content and should consider changing it.

There are countless ways to learn new vocabulary and grammar at an intermediate level of Italian, but the most important thing you need to keep in mind is this fundamental principle: reading the right content and at your level.

Don’t worry. You will not need to have an excellent command of the Italian language. You won’t have to sit and look up every second word in the dictionary. If you choose the right material, reading can be a fun way to learn Italian at any level.

Remember that the learning content you use doesn’t have to be authentic in order for you to make steady progress in your Italian studies. The appropriate level for you should be slightly higher than your current one, challenging but not excessively so. Overwhelming takes the fun out of things!

WHY ARE SHORT STORIES IN ITALIAN AN EFFECTIVE LEARNING TOOL? 

I understand if you’ve tried and failed to learn new vocabulary using endless vocab lists or flashcards.  It has happened to me as well.
 

WE CAN’T LEARN WORDS IN ISOLATION

 
We must associate them with meaningful content, a memory, or a story.  You’ll find words that fit with the context in a short story, and that’s how you’ll end up memorizing a ton of new vocabulary and naturally perfecting your grammar.  
 
Learning words in isolation won’t get you very far if you don’t associate them with a memory.  Instead, immersing yourself in a short story will allow you to naturally absorb proper grammar, learn words and expressions in context, and devise an effective repetition strategy.
 
Because a short story rarely exceeds 20-30pages, re-reading the content is a simple task.  And the key to learning almost anything is repetition.
 
If you’re an intermediate Italian learner, you’ll find a collection of fantastic short stories in this post to help you improve your language skills in a fun way.
 
All of them have proven to be a quick and easy way for my students to improve their conversational skills in a short amount of time.
 

Due Amiche e Un Album di Fotografie  (A2)

This is an easy-to-read Italian short story ebook, with each unit taking no more than 10-20 minutes to complete. This book course, designed for English speakers, is intended for both false beginners as well as intermediate students looking to brush up on their skills. The story takes place in one of Italy’s most beautiful regions, South Tyrol (or Alto Adige), and revolves around Costanza, who goes on a summer adventure in the Dolomites with her friend Anna.

The book is divided into 16 short units, with useful vocabulary and explanations in English at the end. This short story series is ideal for those who want to learn about the culture, food, and way of life in various Italian regions as well as the language. This ebooks is completed with an audiobook narrated by the author. This ebook is completed with an audiobook read by the author.

 

La Vicina di Casa (A2-B1)

This short storybook is an easy read for intermediate learners who want to also learn about the 

beautiful regions of Northern Italy: Piedmont. The story revolves around a young writer who leaves the bustling city of Turin to find peace in the calm and of the Italian Alps, in a small village called Morinesio. There, she will learn to live at a slow pace and make new friends. The book comes with a CD audio version and plenty of excellent drills at the end of the book to help you memorize the new vocabulary and reinforce the main Italian grammar topics at an intermediate level.  

Storie Italiane  (A2-B1)

This is an exquisite short storybook for those who want to learn about the most important Italian historical events/ages. Each chapter is a short story set in a specific historical time, like the Renaissance, the Fasciscim, or the Italian Unification. The book comes with an exercise section and supplementary information boxes to understand better the time discussed for the story.
The vocabulary and grammar used to suit a good intermediate level.

 

Piccole Storie d’Amore (B1)

A collection of fun short stories where the main topic is love! Each chapter corresponds to a different mini love story and consists of two to five pages. The vocabulary and grammar used are suitable for lower-intermediate and upper-intermediate Italian learners. This short story book has an audio version and comes with a dedicated exercises section at the end of the book.

 

Il Mistero di Veronica (A2+ / B1)

This is an easy read for the lower-intermediate level. Veronica is a young woman living in Milan. Her life rotates around her career until she meets on a train a young artist that will turn her life upside down. The two fall in love, but Veronica has a well-kept secret that Massimo will try to uncover. 

The book has an audio version. Each chapter ends with a worksheet with vocab and grammar exercises pertinent to the chapter. 

 

Le Avventure di Pinocchio  (B1-B2)

This short storybook is the original version of Carlo Collodi’s masterpiece “Le avventure di Pinocchio,” written in Florence in 1881. This version has been re-written in a simplified version for intermediate Italian learners as a second language by Jacopo Gorini. The author made sure the text’s musicality and beauty remained the same, as did the totality of the chapters. You can also download the audio-book by following the instructions at the end of the book. A separate exercise workbook will help you to internalize the new vocabulary and grammar at an intermediate level. This book has a kindle version. 

 

 

Davvero (A2-C1)

This short story book is slightly different from the other ones. It is a collection of comics. Each comic revolves around an aspect of modern Italian society. For example, the way Italians greet by kissing each other on the cheeks or their hatred towards the rain! 

If you haven’t used comics to learn Italian so far, you should give it a try. This form of learning will take your Italian a long way as it will help you familiarize yourself with the language in the shape of dialogues. This book is for all levels, from beginners to upper-intermediate. Each chapter ends with a supplementary worksheet about the Italian culture, idioms, vocabulary, and grammar pertinent to the comic you have just read.

Smart tip 

Passive learning:  read it and listen to the content once.

Active learning:

  • Read it.
  • Listen to the content repeatedly.
  • Seek new words or sentences.
  • Create your flashcards.

Proactive learning: use or lose it! Make a written summary of each chapter, ensuring you are using the new set of words and sentences. Talk about it: bring it up in your conversions with your teachers or language partners.

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Vocabulary and phrases to rent an apartment in Italy

Vocabulary and phrases to rent an apartment in Italy

Vocabulary and phrases to rent an apartment in Italy

Renting an apartment in Italy can be challenging, particularly in popular tourist destinations such as Roma, Palermo, and Firenze, where short-term rentals have become popular. Everything is possible in Italy with a little patience and a lot of Italian. 

This post is the result of my own search for a rental in Rome’s crazy real estate market for my boyfriend and me. 

To begin with, how do you find an apartment for a long term in Italy? 

Renting from a private owner  

To avoid paying agency fees, try renting directly from a private owner . This is a viable option for smaller cities or rural areas. I wouldn’t advise a foreigner to use this option in larger cities, where it’s easy to fall into a trap without a local understanding of the real estate market. 

The most well-known portal for finding direct rentals from private landlords is

www.subito.it

www.bakeka.it

Using a real estate agency 

In Italy, real estate brokers charge exorbitant commissions (10-15%), but that’s the way it is. You can either go to a real estate agency in your desired area and talk to an agent in person about your options, or you can use an online aggregator and then call the real estate agency to schedule a viewing. 

The most well-known portals for finding rental properties in Italy are

www.immobiliare.it (N.1 in Italy)

www.idealista.it

www.casa.it 

I recommend calling the agency when you find a property you like. Emailing is also an option, but in my personal experience, I’ve never gotten a response to my emails, so I’ve stopped using it. I mean it when I say that Italians prefer phone calls to emails. 

Let’s look at some of the terms that are commonly used when presenting a rental property. 

An apartment can be a:

  • monolocale: one room + kitchen
  • bilocale: one room + a living room + kitchen 
  • trilocale: two rooms + living room + kitchen
  • quadrilocale: two 3 rooms + living + kitchen 
  • mansarda: attic 
Some other things you can read on an ad
  • l’appartamento è stato recentemente rinnovato (the apartment has been recently renovated)
  • l’appartamento è in buone condizioni (the apartment is in good conditions)
  • l’appartamento viene locato non arredato (the apartment is rented unfurnished)
  • l’appartamento viene locato parzialmente arredato (the apartment is rented partially furnished)
  • l’appartamento è stato recentemente rinnovato (he apartment has been recently renovated)
Types of rooms 
  • cucina – kitchen. 
  • cucina abitabile – kitchen with a big table and living area 
  • cucina americana – kitchen + living a room 
  • bagno con vasca – bathroom with a bath tub. 
  • bagno con doccia – bathroom with a shower 
  • ripostiglio – storage room 
  • camera da letto – bedroom 
  • camera matrimoniale – master bedroom
  • studio – office 
  • soggiorno – living room 

 

The apartment will be rented :

  • arredato (furnished)
  • non arredato (non furnished) 
  • parzialmente arredato (partially furnished) 

Larger apartments are often rented out non furnished or partially furnished, especially in big cities. 

 

Other things you should look up

  • aria condizionata  – air conditioning 
  • riscaldamento – heating 
  • porta blindata  – security door 
  • ascensore –  elevator 
  • classe energetica (this is crucial for calculating your electricity bills) A corresponds to the most advanced level of energy efficiency, implying that you will save money on electricity. G denotes a less efficient and modern level of energy efficiency, implying that the electrical infrastructure is old and thus you will pay more.) 

 

A normal rent doesn’t include: 

  • spese di condominio (the cleaning of stairs and communal areas is included in the condominium expenses, which are shared by all residents of a building.)
  • utenze (bills) 

 

The apartment can be situated at 

  • piano terreno (ground floor) 
  • primo/secondo/terzo/etc piano (first, second, third, etc story)

 

The apartment can come with

  • balcone  (balcony)
  • terrazza (terrace)

 

Type of Italian rental contracts 
  • contratto transitorio (from 1 to 18 months, this is contract is hard to find, because generally owners are willing to rent for the short term end up using airbnb or other similar portals)
  • contratto 3+2 (this is a 3-year long contract that you can extend for another 2  years.  You can break this contract with 6 month notice) 
  • contratto 4+4 ((this is a 4-year long contract that you can extend for another 4  years.  You can break this contract with 6 month notice) 

 

Vocabulary and sentences to schedule a view over the phone in Italy 

First of all, you should cann the chance if you’re ready to view the apartment within a few days, otherwise it doesn’t make sense. 

  • Buongiorno, chiamo per il trilocale in Viale Francia, è ancora disponibile? – Hello, I’m calling for the three-room apartment in Viale Francia, is it still available?

(then the agent can give you answers and put you through the person who is in charge of the rental?)  

You should clarify the following points before scheduling the viewing:

  • quando si libera l’appartamento? – When is the apartment vacant?
  • l’appartamento è già libero? – Is the apartment already free?
  • l’appartamento è arredato? – Is the apartment furnished?
  • l’appartamento è climatizzato? – Is the apartment air conditioned?
  • A quanto ammontano le spese di condominio? – How much are the condominium expenses?
  • Qual è la vostra provvigione?  – What is your commission?
  • l’appartamento è adatto per una famiglia con un bambino?  – Is the apartment suitable for a family with a child?
  • l’appartamento è adatto per accogliere un cane/gatto?  – Is the apartment suitable for a dog / cat?

And last,

  • scusi può parlare lentamente? – Can you speak more slowly, please? 

Importantly, it is customary in Italy to require tenants to show proof of income or a permanent work contract for long-term rentals. They may also request a “garante” in some cases. A garente is someone who will pay your rent if you are unable to do so.

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