Mamma mia! Talk like a real person ItalianThese are some of the most hilarious things you can do. Italian expressions and idioms that you’ll hear on the “strada” and in the “piazza”.
One of the best things about Learning a foreign languageTranslations that are literalized are what e laughs at. These are often found inIntimatic expressions. To say it colloquially, for example. Italian, ‘I like you a lot’ translates to ‘Mi piaci un sacco’ or ‘I like you a sack’. This is the most popular. ItalianExpressions available.
It’s not surprising that many idiomatic expressions are translated in the same language. But the best part about them is their cultural differences. Take the exclamation and insult “You’re a bore!”, the Italians, famous for their pizza would say “Sei una pizza!”, meaning “You’re a pizza”.
A personal favourite of mine (because it mentions my family name) is when Italians want to call someone a butterfingers, ‘Avere le mani di pasta Frolla’ which literally translates ‘To have pastry hands’.
Since I started Learn more Italian During my 3 years living in Rome, I was drawn to learning. Idiomatic expressions. I bought a bunch of books that I would read and then put to use. You will feel more comfortable using expressions in any language. The ability to learn and apply expressions in a foreign language can also surprise and impress locals.
I’ve compiled a list of my favourite everyday ItalianThese idiomatic expressions will make you giggle when you translate them literal.
1. In bocca al lupo
Pronunciation: [In bok-kah al loo-poh] Literal translationIn the mouth of the Wolf It means:Good luck! Break a leg!
2. Piovere a catinelle
Pronunciation: [Pee-yoh-ver-reh ah ka-ti-nel-leh] Literal translationTo rain wash basins It means:Rain like cats and dogs
3. Ubriaco come una scimmia
Pronunciation: [u-bri-ah-koh koh-meh u-nah shim-mee-yah] Literal translationGet drunk like a monkey It means:Not to be wasted
4. La goccia che ha fatto traboccare il vaso
Pronunciation: [Lah goh-chah keh ah faht-toh tra-bok-kah-reh eel va-zoh] Literal translationThe last drop that filled the vase to its limit It means: The straw the broke the camel’s back
5. Avere la Botte Piena e la Moglie Ubriaca
Pronunciation: [Ah-veh-reh lah bot-teh pee-eh-nah eh lah mol-yeh u-bri-ah-kah] Literal translationTo drink a full bottle and have a drunken wife It means:To have your cake, and eat it as well
6. Non Avere Peli Sulla Lingua
Pronunciation: [Non Ah-veh-reh peh-li sul-lah ling-gwah] Literal translationTo not have hairs on your tongue It means:Speak plainly and say it as it is
7. Prendere in giro
Pronunciation: [pren-der-reh in ji-roh] Literal translationTake a spin It means:Tease someone or take the mickey away from them
8. Non vedo l’ora
Pronunciation: [Non veh-doh lor-rah] Literal translation Can’t see the time It means: I can’t wait (from excitement)
9. Scoprire gli altarini
Pronunciation: [Skoh-pri-reh leh aal-ta-ree-knee] Literal translation To discover little altars It means:To let the cat loose
10. Arrampicarsi sugli specchi
Pronunciation: [Ah-ramp-pee-kah-si sul-yee spek-key] Literal translationTo climb on mirrors It means:To grab at straws
11. Essere al verde
Pronunciation: [Es-sir-reh al verr-deh] Literal translationTo be at The Green It means:Flat broke
12. Reggere la candela
Pronunciation: [Rej-jer-reh lah can-del-lah] Literal translationHold the candle It means:To be the third wheel
13. Rompere le scatole
Pronunciation: [Romp-peh-reh leh ska-toh-leh] Literal translationBreak boxes It means: to get on someone’s nerves
14. Avere culo
Pronunciation: [Ah-veh-reh ku-loh] Literal translationTo have arse It means: To be very lucky, to fall on one’s feet
15. Essere alla frutta
Pronunciation: [es-sir-reh al-lah froot-tah] Literal translationTo be at a fruit It means:To get to rock bottom
17. Porca miseria!
Pronunciation: [Por-kah mi-zer-ree-ah] Literal translation Pigs misery It means: Damn it!
(*20*)
18. Fa un Freddo Cane
Pronunciation: [Fah-reh oon fred-doh ka-neh] Literal translation It’s dog cold It means: It’s freezing cold
19. Avere le Braccine Corte
Pronunciation: [Ah-veh-reh leh bratch-chee-neh kor-teh] Literal translationTo have short arms It means: To be stingy, because your arms are so short that they can’t reach your pockets.
20. Girare la frittata
Pronunciation: [Jee-rah-reh lah frit-tah-tah] Literal translationTurn the omelette It means: Turn the tables in one’s favour
Want more? These 10 videos will show you how to get more Hilarious Italian Expressions
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Which one of these? ItalianWhich expression is your favorite? Do you know any others? Leave a comment, in bocca al lupo! Use the comments section to let me know your thoughts or join me on Facebook to have a conversation.
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