Funny Italian Warning Signs Posted by Geoff on May 27, 2016
Every now and then I see avvisi (warning signs or notices) that make me smile. Some of these are meant to be serious, and end up sounding ridiculous. But I particularly admire those which use irony and humour to combat antisocial or criminal behaviour. Here, for your entertainment, is a small selection: Above: A super polite…
I Could Have Studied Italian Posted by Serena on May 25, 2016
Today we continue our series on the modal verbs with the conjugation of the verb potere (to be able to) when it’s used with the auxiliary verbs essere (to be) and avere (to have). As with all the modal verbs, the choice of which auxiliary verb to use with potere depends on the verb that…
The Smuggler Posted by Geoff on May 23, 2016
Isn’t it nice to begin the day with a smile? If you follow our blog you’ll know that we like to include, where possible, a bit of humour. But barzellette (jokes) can be difficult to understand when not recounted in your mother tongue, so I’ve translated this one into English for you. Il Contrabbandiere (The…
I Could Study Italian Posted by Serena on May 20, 2016
Let’s continue our series on the conjugation and use of modal verbs. Following on from the first two articles about the verb dovere, which you can revise here: I Must Study Italian and I Should Have Studied Italian, today we’re going to look at the verb potere (to be able) with some practical examples of…
Tasty Italian Flowers Posted by Serena on May 18, 2016
Food dominates all here in Italy, and wherever they are, whatever the occasion, Italians love discussing it! Here’s a typical example: The setting: A small Yoga class in a little Italian country town The characters: Serena (the yoga teacher) and the students (all ladies). Insegnante: “Adesso sdraiatevi e portate le ginocchia al petto così da…
Italy’s Amazing Living Works Of Art Posted by Geoff on May 16, 2016
I recently came across a video excerpt from the popular TV show ‘Italy’s Got Talent’ on youtube. Here was something truly beautiful and astonishing that I’d never seen before: the Quadri Plastici di Avigliano. Fascinated, I decided to find out more … Plastic ‘Paintings’ Every year in Avigliano, a small town in the province of…
Italian Comprehension Quiz … The Answers Posted by Geoff on May 13, 2016
Here are the translations of the selected sentences from our comprehension quiz on the Coltura del Frassino da Manna. If it’s any reassurance, some of them are pretty challenging … but the important thing is to have a go, perché sbagliando si impara! 1. Per incidere su una pianta così di questa grossezza si scorteccia…