When we talk about learning a language, we use the word fluency or fluent in English, but finding the right Italian word for this can be tricky. Fluency is all about speaking a "foreign" language with ease and confidence. 

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Let's look at the dictionary definitions or translations. The dictionary translation of "fluency" is fluidità, and "fluent" is fluido. Both words come from the Latin "fluere" or fluire (to flow) in Italian. And let's keep in mind that we also have "fluidity" and "fluid" in English.

Così ho una conversazione più fluida, senza ripetizioni di parole, OK? -Sì.

That way I have a more fluid conversation, without the repetition of words, OK? -Yes.

Captions 26-27, Corso di italiano con Daniela Pronomi oggetto diretto - Part 2

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In Italian, fluido can describe someone's way of speaking, but there are other words, too. 

One great Italian word that can describe someone's degree of ease in speaking a different language is: con scioltezza (with ease, with fluency).

Più sciolto, dai!

More relaxed, come on!

Caption 10, L'oro di Scampia film - Part 2

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An interesting adverb to describe how someone speaks is correntemente (fluently, with ease).

Sì, piccione poliglotta, per quanto possa sembrare assurda questa cosa, pare che sia stato avvistato un piccione che è capace di parlare cinque, sei lingue, correntemente.

Yes, a polyglot pigeon, as absurd as this thing may seem, it appears that a pigeon was sighted that is capable of speaking five, six languages fluently.

Captions 26-28, Anna e Marika in TG Yabla Italia e Meteo - Part 4

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Correntemente should not be confused with correttamente (correctly), which refers to someone speaking with correct grammar. 

Il nostro amico si chiede che consigli puoi dare a chi vuole imparare l'italiano e parlarlo correttamente.

Our friend asks himself what advice you can give to someone who wants to learn Italian and speak it correctly.

Captions 54-56, Adriano Risposte agli amici di Yabla

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Another word for fluido is scorrevole, from the verb scorrere (to flow). And of course, we notice the S prefix! Scorrere is related to correre (to run, to flow) so you might want to check out this lesson.

In the following example, the use of scorrere is metaphorical. The speaker is from L'Accademia della Crusca, an important linguistic institution based in Florence (see this lesson). He is talking about the changing Italian language (ever flowing and changing). The Accademia watches the language evolve and tries to document it, understand it, and share the knowledge gained. 

Noi non miriamo a raccogliere un materiale immobile. Noi contempliamo un fiume che scorre e ci limitiamo a sorvegliare che non vada al di là degli argini.

We don't aim to gather immobile material. We contemplate a river that flows, and we limit ourselves to making sure that it doesn't overflow its banks.

Captions 40-42, Me Ne Frego Il Fascismo e la lingua italiana - Part 14

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Mia figlia parla italiano in modo scorrevole, cioè con scioltezza, anche se non è madre lingua.

My daughter speaks Italian fluently, in other words, with ease, even though she's not a native speaker. 

Some of the words described above have other meanings as well, so it's good to be mindful of the context! Thanks for reading!

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