Learn Italian in Song: Giovanna e Angiolino

I noticed people were looking for this on my site, so I discovered a cute new song. Singer/songwriter Roby Santini “the Country Boy” is obviously writing about his parents – they play themselves in the video. And apparently the family is from Pollutri, Provincia di Chieti, Abruzzo. You might also like: No related posts.

Italian Animal Idioms

In Italian, as in any language, there are many popular sayings and metaphors using animals, based on human perceptions of those animals’ lives and habits. Cats It seems that, in Italian culture, the distinguishing feature of cats is their greed for food. Non c’e’ trippa per gatti “There’s no tripe for cats.” This is used… Continue reading Italian Animal Idioms

Italian SMS-Speak

“Texting” – sending text messages via cellphone – has been popular in Italy far longer than in the US, in part because it’s cheaper than calling. When I can’t reach someone by email, I use SMS for non-urgent communications – it’s less intrusive than a call, and I have a phobia of disturbing people. Italian… Continue reading Italian SMS-Speak

Italian Idiom and Sayings

Note: See the Italian slang section for stronger language (if you’re not easily offended…). Note: Some of the new phrases added here are rude! Alla Come Viene, Viene [To do something] sloppily, literally “it comes out as it comes out.” Alla Meglio [To do something] as best one can, in a hurry or under constraint,… Continue reading Italian Idiom and Sayings

Non Ci Sono Piu’ Le Mezze Stagioni: Talking About the Weather in Italy

“There are no more middle seasons” is the Italian equivalent of “Things ain’t what they used to be” – more than a truism, it’s a cliché of people complaining about the modern world, and resistance to change in general. Taking it at face value, I don’t think the “middle seasons” have disappeared: I’ve rarely seen… Continue reading Non Ci Sono Piu’ Le Mezze Stagioni: Talking About the Weather in Italy