what does vespa mean in italian

Very good.”, This trick works in the Italian language because of the rhyme Pietro-indietro. There’ll be no “sugarcoating” and no “beating around the bush.” If they think you’re a bad actor, they’ll tell you so. From salt, we go to pepper. Once you've watched a video, you can use FluentU's quizzes to actively practice all the vocabulary in that video. This meaning is different from the literal meaning of the idiom’s individual elements. Italy produces some of the world’s finest bicycles. Soon enough, you’ll embody your folks’ spirits—hovering over others, asking them if they’ve eaten, just like Mom. Literally: to be in a nice pie. Or, if we go by the English equivalent, “Let’s call a spade a spade.” They’ll call it as it is. Let’s say you’re peacefully walking the streets of Milan and somebody suddenly snatches your wallet. You know the one. Italian men, the likes of Casanova, are world-class romantics and can sweep you off your feet with their uber-sexy accent and perfectly-made pasta. Similar to “Add fuel to the fire.”, This means to do something equally bad to someone who has done something bad to you. Italian idioms are useful to understand native material like news and stories and make excellent material for learning Italian. For example, a not-so-bright fellow running around in circles trying to solve a simple arithmetic problem, or a little girl who wails like it’s the end of the world because she lost her favorite hairpin, could be said to be drowning in a glass of water. Take “sit on the fence,” for example. Yes, there’s “honor among thieves.” There’s a line that cannot be crossed, there’s a code of conduct that governs even the most sinister of people. In fact, in some cases, ideas or thoughts can be expressed more effectively by using Italian idioms or colloquialisms than by using a long, complicated sentence. It’s baked daily with equal parts fervor and reverence by Italian mothers and bakers. Translation: Its name is Pietro and it has to come back. Italians have a reputation for being flirty, so these Italian idioms and phrases could well come in handy if you’re navigating the Italian dating scene. Idioms can be found in every language, and every culture has its specific ones. Italian boy meets Italian girl. Your Italian boyfriend broke up with you? It’s baked daily with equal parts fervor and reverence by Italian mothers and bakers. Anybody can pick up an Italian app and learn the meaning of individual words. Start using FluentU on the website, or better yet, download the app from iTunes or the Google Play store. You’ve just learned 40 of the most common and useful Italian idioms used by native speakers. Idioms, if you don’t already know, are bits of language native speakers often use to talk to each other. Months after, they meet and try to rekindle the bond. Keep your store open and your pants up! Period. This Italian idiom means to be straightforward and speak one’s mind, regardless of the possibility of upsetting or insulting someone. So really, the death of a pope doesn’t come very often, making the idiomatic expression a fitting description. Allora, pedala!” is often remarked to a person whining about a state of affairs that they brought upon themselves. Here’s a list of the most common idiomatic expressions with essere (to be) and andare (to go). If even the dogs know their limits and don’t destroy their own kind, how much more is this true with humans? All’s fair in love and war. A gourd is an oddly-shaped fruit often used in English to represent a person’s head or brain. To make mincemeat of someone. I remember one couple who forbid their teenager from going to her grandma’s house. Literally: Mark is good as bread. Imagine a miner hanging his hard hat on the wall after a long day. When you come “at the bean,” you come at a time when food is served. FluentU takes real-world videos—like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks—and turns them into personalized language learning lessons, as you can see here: FluentU helps you get comfortable with everyday Italian by combining all the benefits of complete immersion and native-level conversations with interactive subtitles. This is a damned if you do, damned if you don’t kind of situation where you’re caught between a rock and a hard place, the devil and the deep blue sea. Notice that the objects referred to in the idioms—gloves, boots and hat—are those often used by the working class to perform various job functions. But that’s really the standard reply. This is a rather painful idiom that refers to someone cheating on someone else. Speaking of compliments, if you hear this one in one of Italy’s premier fashion stores, like Valentino, Versace, Prada, Armani or Dolce & Gabbana, it means the person assisting you is working on commission. The offending party may be evil and deserve to wear the “horns,” but in Italian tradition, the one wearing the “horns” is actually the victim, or the party being cheated on. And pristine examples cost over $50k, Hagerty reports. So to be “cornuto” means your partner is cheating on you. Or, if we go by the English equivalent, “Let’s call a spade a spade.” They’ll call it as it is. Idioms add so much color and richness to any language. The English equivalent is There is many a slip between cup and lip. Finally, it’s important to note that there’s a story or history to idioms. Here are a few more idiomatic expressions with colors: When a photo isn’t a colori (in color), it’s in bianco e nero (white and black) in the Italian language, not in black and white as in the English language! It’s no wonder that the language has reflected this love affair with the bicycle in one of its idioms. It’s no wonder that the language has reflected this love affair with the bicycle in one of its idioms. The wolf reference may have come from the mythical twin founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus, who, as the story goes, were suckled and cared for by a she-wolf. And Bianchi, the world’s first bicycle company, established in the 1880s, is still churning out two-wheelers today. I found the questions very easy,” when he could have just easily uttered, “It was a piece of cake.”, Instead of saying, “That was awful! Both idioms seem to reflect the belief that bigger is better. Don’t worry, you’ll find someone else and get over it!”, English: “Don’t just stand there! The Italian idiom “Capita a fagiolo” (literally, “happens at the bean”), which is an expression used when something happens at exactly the right moment, is reminiscent of a time when the nation’s poor only had beans for meals. It seems that the more you’re prohibited from having something, the more that something becomes more appealing than ever. Quando parli del diavolo e spuntano le corna. So if you just want to mess somebody up, this idiom and its corresponding hand gesture would be the way to go. You’ve just learned many of the most common and useful Italian idioms, sayings, and expressions used by native speakers. Originally used in opera and theatre to wish a performer good luck prior to a performance, it’s used to wish good luck to someone, especially before an important event (such as a job interview, match, exam). As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Sign up for free for a printer-friendly version. This Italian idiom originates from fishermen: while fishing, it can happen that a crab gets hooked by the bait. In the case of this idiom, however, the person hanging up his hat doesn’t have to work at all anymore because he’s just snagged a wealthy wife. This phrase (every time a Pope dies) is the equivalent of once in a blue moon. It will then start to strongly struggle, so that the fisherman would believe that they have caught a big prey, whilst it would be nothing more than a crab. Similar to “Speak of the devil!”, This means to hope for a good outcome for someone or something. Yes, there’s “honor among thieves.” There’s a line that cannot be crossed, there’s a code of conduct that governs even the most sinister of people. Literally: to pay the Roman way. Now that's a 100% personalized experience! You can also use this Italian idiom to highlight people’s poor manners if they were supposed to bring something (a gift or some food, for example) but didn’t, but came holding their own hands instead of holding something nice. There are much more vulgar alternatives, not to be used around Italian in-laws. Check these collections of Italian proverbs, Italian quotes, and Italian sayings. “Avere le braccine corte” doesn’t refer to the T-rex, whose arms were literally short. To be in a pickle. Idioms are a little different from the literal and grammatically perfect sentence examples found in textbooks. This Italian expression comes from the belief that the bigger the size of the brain, the more intelligent the animal. Idioms are little peeks into the history, beliefs and traditions of the language that they carry. Lit. To be unable to handle a simple situation, to over-complicate things. This Italian expression isn’t used to describe someone who’s particularly attentive to oral hygiene. Here are some common expressions you might want to use if you fancy someone: And just as in English, there’s a risk that the romantic undertone might not be picked up on, so if you want to be clearer, you can say: If you’re talking directly to the object of your affections, make sure not to get confused by the verb ‘piacere‘, which is often tough for non-native speakers: If you want to be more emphatic, you can say: If you’re letting someone down gently, you might say ‘ti voglio bene‘ (I like you a lot), which is generally reserved for platonic love. You want what you can’t have, and “I frutti proibiti sono i più dolci” is the Italian recognition of this basic human irony. This Italian idiom originated in ancient times, when people believed that fish could not fall ill. Because of the natural selection, it is rarer to observe sick fish, and their symptoms might not be as clear as other animals. If even the dogs know their limits and don’t destroy their own kind, how much more is this true with humans? RELATED: This Beetle-Powered BMW Isetta Is a Mean Green Wheelie Machine. How many? An apology to all the feathered and winged members of the animal kingdom is probably in order. You don’t want to hear this from the staff of an Italian restaurant, ever. Stick to the ones you like. This one means exactly what it means in English. It is Italian idioms like this one that I truly adore. No, nothing to do with that. English Equivalent: Its name is Jack and it has to come back! (That’s why the Italians also have the idiom “Brutto come la fame,”which literally means “Ugly as hunger.”). FluentU brings English to life with real-world videos. Anybody can pick up an Italian app and learn the meaning of individual words. Then, believe me, having the possibility to see other people’s battle horse is certainly a good thing. I frutti proibiti sono i più dolci. He’s done, having finished his work. In reality, though, the expression doesn’t always mean that somebody is being cheated on. The fact that it has an English equivalent suggests that this sentiment is part of human nature, a universal expression of discontent. In this post, we’re going to take a look at some of the most popular Italian idioms you might hear as you progress in your language studies. You would shout, “Togliti dai piedi!” as you gave chase. It seems that the more you’re prohibited from having something, the more that something becomes more appealing than ever. This Italian idiom means you just absolutely cannot wait for something. Help me with my luggage!”, English: “How rude! He’s done, having finished his work. You are never to set foot in her house again!”) Human nature works like magic and the teen found herself mysteriously gravitating towards grandma’s house just to watch TV. In Italy, we love gossiping — non ci piove! “Facciamo il chilo” means “Let’s rest after lunch.” As in, “Abbiamo mangiato un sacco, facciamo il chilo” (We ate too much, let’s take a post-lunch rest). RELATED: 13 Keto ‘Pasta’ Recipes to Cure Your Cravings © 2021 Enux Education Limited. This is a (strong but) widely-used Italian expression that could be translated as “Dang!” or “Sucks!”. It doesn’t matter which hemisphere on earth you live in. English Equivalent: To sit on your hands. It means very rarely. Let’s say you admire an Italian politician for good leadership and integrity. To have a finger in many pies. A witty turn of phrase is made so much tighter with rhyme and that’s why in another Italian idiom, “Si chiama Pietro e torna indietro” (“Its name is Peter and it comes back,” told to a friend to let them know that the thing they’re about to borrow should be returned), “Pietro” is the name used. Pepper is used to kick any cooking up a notch. For example, a not-so-bright fellow running around in circles trying to solve a simple arithmetic problem, or a little girl who wails like it’s the end of the world because she lost her favorite hairpin, could be said to be drowning in a glass of water. Soon enough, you’ll embody your folks’ spirits—hovering over others, asking them if they’ve eaten, just like Mom. The best Italian idioms are possibly about food!. “È tutto pepe!”is used to describe somebody full of life—someone with a vibrant personality and a sunny disposition that lifts everyone’s spirits. People “without hair on their tongue” are not afraid to be too honest, even if they run the risk of offending someone; there are no filters between brain and tongue. That’s it! Food occupies many idiomatic expressions in Italian. Don’t worry, there are plenty of fish in the sea. I remember one couple who forbid their teenager from going to her grandma’s house. 7 Sites That Turn Learning Italian into a Game, Full Throttle: Top 6 Resources to Learn Italian While Driving at Any Skill Level. 25. Is Italian more complicated than English? He defiantly snatches the blocks from your hand, as if saying, “Leave me alone! They grow apart, and the relationship ultimately disintegrates. There’s just something about it that brings life to bland dishes and imbues them with a richer flavor and aroma. Literally: to look for hairs in the egg. Religion, as you probably know, is a big deal in Italy — my grandma still tells me stories about being terrified by Sunday sermons. Most of the colors are adjectives ending in -o, -a, (-i, -e in the plural forms), some end in -e (-i [plural]), while others remain unchanged in gender and number: A gourd is an oddly-shaped fruit often used in the English equivalent to represent a person’s head or brain. Both fight to make it work. Italian men, the likes of Casanova, are world-class romantics and can sweep you off your feet with their uber-sexy accent and perfectly-made pasta. It’s better to risk than to lose the opportunity. If the date goes well, you might find yourself engaging in any one of the following: If you want to get more descriptive, Italian has a rich vocabulary for talking about kisses. A student won’t betray a classmate for the good graces of a teacher. There are so many more, and this is really just a start. Translation: You’re not able to keep a chickpea in your mouth. Doesn’t matter that they have some of the world’s most mouth-watering food, most beautiful art and most scenic spots—they sometimes feel they’re missing out, just like everyone else. Similar to “Keep one’s fingers crossed.”, This means managing to stay alive, especially when one has very little money, or in very difficult circumstances. It also means that you need to work hard to achieve good results. There are so many more, and this is really just a start. For example, a corrupt politician won’t tell on his equally corrupt comrade. This is a (strong but) widely-used Italian expression that could be translated as “Dang!” or “Sucks!”. In real life, communication can not only be grammatically awkward (like “Long time, no see!”), it can also be a lot more figurative. So you don’t make a fuss about it. In other words: You’ll forget about this rusty, nasty, bad nail because very soon a new shiny one will replace it! Is there anything that better describes the look and the mood of someone furious? In English, you could say the person is “wearing too many hats” or has “hands/fingers in too many pies.”. If you are at least a little bit familiar with Italian body language, you will immediately understand why this expression has a negative connotation for us: do you realize how frustrating it is for Italians to stay still without frantically gesticulating to express ourselves? After all, isn’t the battle horse the fittest, strongest, leanest one, the one you trust to save your life? Unlike most of the other idioms on this list, which basically agree with their English counterparts, this one is the complete opposite and a repudiation of the line “It’s a dog-eat-dog world.” The Italian version holds a more optimistic view of the world. Take the Italian expression “Fare il chilo!” (literally, “To make the kilo”) as an example. “You’ve made your bed, now lie in it” is its closest equivalent English idiom. Prices on BaT hover in the $20k-$30k range for Isetta 300s. This encouragement is normally used in painful love affairs, but can be leveled at anybody who’s trying to come to terms with something (a job, a friend who’s not calling back, a fight). He never picks up the check because the bill always curiously arrives when he’s in the restroom. There’s an Italian superstition that if you wish somebody good luck, bad things will happen instead. He or she is somebody who’s generally known for being kind and generous, generally has the qualities of a good person. Just don’t expect an Italian stallion to take it sitting down. “Minestra riscaldata” is that state of reviving a relationship gone sour. Literally: something boils in a saucepan. In these situations, the appropriate idiom then becomes “Cane mangia cane” (Dog eat dog). You can’t think or see straight from excitement. Despite the use of colors in so many Italian idioms, don’t forget that colors are descriptors and that, as with every adjective in the Italian language, they agree in gender and number with the noun they describe: Unlike in the English language, colors usually follow nouns in the Italian language: Indosso una gonna nera e un giaccone verde (I am wearing a black skirt and a green jacket). They have origins and provenance, even if native speakers don’t remember them. Lucio Galletto is auctioning off his famous restaurant art. You use “Buono come il pane” for such an individual. What are the pros and cons of learning Italian? Also, literal translations sound very odd. Translation: (Keep the) water in your mouth! You know what happens? In short, you’re not mincing any words. Stefano creates a natural environment to speak Italian. You’ve got pinches of different spices and ingredients set to add a distinct flavor. Use it to express annoyance or irritation at a situation or person. These babies are figurative in nature, and paying a visit to the finest stables in the world won’t reveal the meaning of “straight from the horse’s mouth,” either. In Italy, especially in its Southern region, peppers are frequently used in dishes and you can often find little red peppers called “diavoletti” (little devils) strung together and hung to dry. He never picks up the check because the bill always curiously arrives when he’s in the restroom. That’s bad. In fact, using idioms may make Italians think you know more of their language than you actually do. Men in pursuit of the woman of their affections know this and won’t be bound by the usual limits of fair play. The wolf reference may have come from the mythical twin founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus, who, as the story goes, were suckled and cared for by a she-wolf. It doesn’t bother you at all. Bread is the perfect food. You don’t reply with thank you but rather Crepi il lupo! Everyone knows that “clothes don’t make the man.” We shouldn’t judge anybody on looks, we shouldn’t “judge a book by its cover.” But if that man is covered in fine Italian leather and smells like Armani in the morning, we really can’t help but judge away—albeit favorably. It comes from the belief that the bigger the size of the brain, the more intelligent the animal. They grow apart, and the relationship ultimately disintegrates. You simply say what needs to be heard. To explain this amount of rage, one must involve a horde of nasty demons ready to whisper bad advice and evil things into your ears. English: “You think I should eat more healthily?! We say, “Break a leg” to actors and musicians before they brave the stage to perform. A whole office staff will stick up for a colleague in trouble. Consider a mustache. They’re a curious group of words and expressions that are figurative in nature, but whose meanings are easily deducible and readily understood by speakers of the language. To drown in a glass of water is to be easily overwhelmed with little problems. Metaphorically, the hair would indicate an obstacle to express yourself, like a filter. It can also mean that you know how a person thinks and how they will act. “Avere le braccine corte” doesn’t refer to the T-rex, whose arms were literally short. And if you’re feeling like the third wheel, you might say: Literally: to be the last wheel of the cart. And now, imagine the scene and tell me if you can find a better expression! Also, this expression is a comment on good intentions and the idea that they often don’t come to fruition. You could also say ‘slinguare‘ which means the same but is more fun to say. (Once a door is closed, a main door will open). This Italian idiom means to be straightforward and speak one’s mind, regardless of the possibility of upsetting or insulting someone. He defiantly snatches the blocks from your hand, as if saying, “Leave me alone! And the person who acts stupidly (like the thief who posts his loot on Facebook), is said to possess a brain the size of a bird. In short, you’re not mincing any words. “Taken aback” captures some of the same meaning, as in “She was taken aback when she heard that I lost the baby.”. You’ve got a plethora of vegetables ready to be dunked into the water. Black fleece is a recessive gene in sheep, so it’s rarer to see in a flock, and in the 17th and 18th black wool was considered commercially undesirable because it could not be dyed. I don’t think anybody will ever pay to hear you sing,” a native speaker can just suggest, “Don’t quit your day job.” (The punch there can be both literal, as the speaker may be literally suggesting the person not quit their day job, and figurative, as they’re using one thing to say another.). Similar to “Don’t count your chickens before they are hatched!”, This means a child usually has a similar character or similar qualities to his or her parents. Or fixing light bulbs even when they’re working perfectly fine, just like, well, Mom. “Conosco i miei polli” is said in that same spirit. Yes, Italians feel it, too, the envy and longing for what others have. This is what happens when someone is not able to… keep the water in his mouth! Similar to “Give the benefit of the doubt.“, This Italian idiom means you can solve two problems with one solution. It means to be very fit and perfectly healthy. Saying an Italian idiom should be spontaneous, so wait for the right context and if you feel you’re ready to say it, go for it! You decide to get some much-needed exercise and pursue the offender through the major thoroughfares of a foreign city.

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