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Congiuntivo o Infinito? Posted by Serena on Apr 10, 2017
When learning Italian, students are taught that verbs expressing desires, wishes, worries, doubts, opinions, and beliefs are followed by the subjunctive. If this is the case, then why do we say “spero di finire questo lavoro entro stasera” (“I hope to finish this job by this evening” infinitive) instead of “spero che io finisca questo…
Aspettare or Aspettarsi? Posted by Serena on Apr 5, 2017
“Ma quello che ci aspettava non era quello che ci aspettavamo” (“But that which awaited us wasn’t what we expected”) wrote Geoff at the end of his post about Verona. Confusing? In fact, that line contains two easily confused forms: aspettare and aspettarsi So, what is the difference between them? Let’s have a look at…
Spot The Mistake Posted by Serena on Mar 27, 2017
This article was inspired by a recent linguistic scandal in which an Italian politician misspelt the simple preposition ‘a‘ (to) and wrote ‘ha‘ (he/she/it has) instead. Now, you can do better than that, can’t you dear readers? Let’s find out ……. Below I’ve written a series of sentences containing some of the most common spelling…
Tales From The Bar – Le Studentesse Posted by Serena on Mar 22, 2017
Il bar is an essential part of everyday life here in Italy. It’s important to clarify that an Italian bar isn’t like a bar in an English or American pub, club or hotel. The bar is a place to go for a coffee, breakfast, a snack, an aperitivo, to socialize, to top up your cell…
Giallo Zafferano Posted by Serena on Mar 17, 2017
Zafferano (saffron), from the Arabic word zafaran, it’s a spice obtained from the dried stigmas of the Crocus sativus. Originally from Persia and the Near East, it is widely cultivated throughout the Mediterranean region. In Italy it is cultivated mainly in the regions of Abruzzo and Sardegna. The quantity of saffron obtained from each flower…
Fiori Di Primavera Posted by Serena on Mar 15, 2017
All around us Spring is making its timid appearance. Meadows and roadside embankments are carpeted with flowers. Beneath the umbrellas of pale creamy ellebori (hellebores), bunches of delicate yellow primule (primroses) alternate with short bold purple crochi (crocuses). Elleboro begins flowering from late December onwards, for this reason it’s also known as La Rosa di…
Quando Giocavamo Alle Signore Posted by Serena on Mar 10, 2017
Children just love to play ‘grown-ups’, imitating the many strange and mysterious things that they see adults doing. So, what did I used to get up to with my dollies when I was a little girl? Come mi piaceva giocare con le bambole da bambina! E quanti pianti ho fatto! Ero l’unica femmina e avevo…