Tag Archives: Colloquial Italian
Perdindirindina … What The ….? Posted by Serena on Sep 10, 2015
In our recent blog You’re Learning Italian … Really?! we looked at the expression addirittura, which is a polite way of expressing surprise or disbelief. We also have at our disposal a veritable arsenal of less polite ways of expressing those sentiments. Let’s look at the really ‘naughty’ ones first shall we? (readers: “yes please…
You’re Learning Italian … Really?! Posted by Serena on Aug 31, 2015
Addirittura is one of those words that often gets overlooked in classes and grammar books, but happens to be quite common, and very useful. It has two main uses: 1. addirittura?! = a polite exclamation of surprise and/or disbelief. Translation: really?!, seriously?! Synonyms: davvero?! sul serio?! Here are a few typical examples of its use…
Who Is Mica? Posted by Geoff on Jul 27, 2015
… or more to the point, what is mica? Mica: a group of sheet silicate minerals Multimedia, Information, Communication & Applications Multidimensional Independent Component Analysis Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance Maryland Institute College of Art Mica: a word that you hear Italians use a lot but are never quite sure what it means Mica is, in fact, all…
Why Can’t The Italians Speak ‘Proper’ Italian Posted by Geoff on Oct 1, 2014
… just like I learnt in my grammar book? I know that I mention this topic frequently but I’m very aware that the difference between ‘exercise’ book Italian and colloquial Italian is a major source of frustration for students. A reader recently asked me to write more posts highlighting some of the frequently used expressions…
What Did They Just Say? Posted by Geoff on Sep 25, 2014
It always seems a bit ironic to me that students of Italian put so much effort into learning their grammar, with all its convoluted rules and exceptions, only to be confronted with what appears to be a totally different language when they finally set foot in Italy. In fact, there is a vast difference between…
An Unusual Birthday Posted by Serena on Aug 1, 2014
Giovedì scorso era il mio compleanno e senz’altro è stato un compleanno diverso dagli altri. Per cominciare ci siamo alzati la mattina alle sei, per andare in un posto nuovo ed ‘esotico’: l’ospedale di Massa! Ebbene sì, Geoff non è un marito come tutti, che porta la moglie in gita in una città romantica come…
A Chat with Cocò the Cat Posted by Serena on Apr 7, 2014
Ciao … sono Cocò! Serena: “Buongiorno Cocò, come stai? dormito bene?” “Good morning Cocò, how are you? Did you sleep well?” Cocò: “…giorno, uffa! Dove sono i miei croccantini?” “…morning, humph! Where are my biscuits?” Serena: “Sempre molto gentile, eh? Pensare che da piccolino eri così allegro e chiacchierone. La mattina venivi sempre a salutarmi…