Almost exactly five years ago we began a series of blogs aimed at reinforcing Italian vocabulary through the use of contextual labels. We began the series with this blog: La Cucina (The Kitchen)

Today I’d like to suggest a more advanced version of contextual labelling that involves short phrases. But firstly let me just reiterate the concept behind this technique by quoting from the original post:

“Learning from a book, or in a class isn’t really the best way of developing your vocabulary for the simple reason that it is too abstract, i.e. too unconnected with the real world. Students often notice that they learn more Italian when spending a week in Italy than they would in a month of studying in their own country. Obviously, in Italy there would be far more opportunity to hear and absorb the language on a daily basis, but the important thing that really makes the difference is ‘context’. By context, I mean that your learning is taking place in the real world, for example: when you go through a door in a shop, or post office etc. very often you will see a little sign saying ‘spingere’ on the side that you have to push, and ‘tirare’ on the side that you must pull. In this way the verbs spingere (push) and tirare (pull) gradually become embedded in you memory without you even realizing it.”

Let’s take another look at la cucina with a list of contextual phrases for you to print out or copy, and place strategically in your home environment.

Comedian Gino Bramieri impersonates a housewife in the kitchen

vado in cucina = I’m going into the kitchen (place this outside the entrance to your kitchen if possible)

esco dalla cucina = I’m leaving the kitchen (place this inside the entrance to your kitchen if possible)

vado a cucinare = I’m going to cook (as above)

accendo/spengo la luce = I’m turning the light on/off (near light switch)

accendo il fornello = I’m lighting the ring/hob (on or near cooker)

spengo il fornello = I’m turning off the ring/hob

accendo il forno = I’m lighting the oven

spengo il forno = I’m turning off the oven

prendo una pentola = I’m getting a saucepan (e.g. on cupboard door)

metto via la pentola = I’m putting the saucepan away

Una vera casalinga degli anni Cinquanta!

prendo una tazza = I’m getting a cup

metto via la tazza = I’m putting the cup away

prendo un piatto = I’m getting a plate

metto via il piatto = I’m putting the plate away

apro l’armadietto = I’m opening the cupboard

chiudo l’armadietto = I’m closing the cupboard

apro il frigo = I’m opening the fridge (on fridge)

chiudo il frigo = I’m closing the fridge

apro il congelatore = I’m opening the freezer (on freezer)

chiudo il congelatore = I’m closing the freezer

apparecchio la tavola = I’m setting/laying the table (see this blog: Tavolo or Tavola)

sparecchio la tavola = I’m clearing the table

lavo i piatti = I’m washing the dishes/pots/doing the washing up etc. (near sink)

asciugo i piatti = I’m drying the dishes

metto i piatti nella lavastoviglie = I’m putting the dishes in the dish washer

metto su il bucato = I’m putting the washing machine on (if you have one in your kitchen)

apro il rubinetto = I’m opening the tap (near sink)

chiudo il rubinetto = I’m closing the tap

Obviously you can add your own original labels to this list as you see fit. If you want to check with us that your labels are correct please leave a comment.