Here is a line-by-line translation and explanation. Keep in mind that there is not only one way to translate poetry. If you look for translations of this sonnet on the Internet, you will find various versions. The most important thing is to understand it enough to get the gist of the poem. Some words are different from modern Italian, for example, duo instead of due (two), ove instead of dove (where), loco instead of luogo (place), desio instead of desiderio (desire).

1. Benedetto sia ’l giorno, e ’l mese, e l’anno,

Blessed be the day, and the month, and the year
→ The poet is blessing the moment in time when he first saw the woman he loves.

2. e la stagione, e ’l tempo, e l’ora, e ’l punto,

and the season, and the time, and the hour, and the exact point [in time].
→ He continues the list, blessing every detail of that moment.

3. e ’l bel paese, e ’l loco ov’io fui giunto

and the beautiful place, and the spot where I was joined
→ He adds the physical place where he happened to be when it happened that he was struck

4. da’ duo begli occhi che legato m’hanno;

by two beautiful eyes that bound me;
→ Her eyes “tied” him to her

5. e benedetto il primo dolce affanno

and blessed be the first, sweet agony
→ He is also blessing the first "sweet" pain of love

6. ch’i’ ebbi ad esser con Amor congiunto,

that I felt when I became joined with Love,
→ When he first fell in love. Amor is another name for Cupid.

7. e l’arco, e le saette ond’i’ fui punto,

and the bow and the arrows where I was struck,
→ Love is imagined as Cupid shooting arrows. Saetta is another word for freccia (arrow). 

8. e le piaghe che ’nfin al cor mi vanno.

and the wounds that go all the way to my heart.
→ His love wounds are deep — another poetic metaphor.

9. Benedette le voci tante ch’io

Blessed be the many voices (words) that I
→ Beginning again with a blessing (implicit subjunctive).

10. chiamando il nome de mia donna ho sparte, 

have scattered while calling my lady’s name, — sparte is another past participle (in the feminine plural to agree with voci) of the verb spargere (to scatter)
→ All the times he has spoken her name.

11. e i sospiri, e le lagrime, e ’l desio;

and the sighs, the tears, and the desire; desio is an archaic form of desiderio (desire)
→ All the feelings his love caused — also blessed.

12. e benedette sian tutte le carte

and blessed be all the pages
→ “The pages” = the poems he has written about her.

13. ov’io fama l’acquisto, e ’l pensier mio,

where I gain fame (through writing), and my thoughts,  — Ove is another form of dove (where)
→ His poetry gives him fame; his thoughts 

14. ch’è sol di lei, sì ch’altra non v’ha parte.

which belong only to her, so that no other woman has any share in them.
→are entirely of her; there is no place for any other woman. 

E il {loco} ov'io fui giunto [e il luogo dove io sono giunto] da duo begli occhi [grazie a quei due begli occhi]

And the place where I was joined by two beautiful eyes

Captions 6-7, La compagnia del cigno EP 5 - Part 3

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Francesco Petrarca (known as Petrarch in English) was born in the area of Arezzo, Tuscany in around 1304, in other words, at the beginning of the century known as il trecento ('300). He spent many years in France, living in Montpellier and especially in Avignon. Legend has it that he fell in love with a woman named Laura in Avignon, whom he met in a church there.

The present sonnet, dedicated to Laura, is part of "Rerum vulgarium fragmenta" (fragments composed in the vernacular). This is notable because most of his works were composed in Latin. Another name for this collection of poems in Italian was Rime sparse (scattered rhymes or verses). It was also called il canzoniere (the songbook). 

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Why are we talking about this particular sonnet? Barbara, a character in La compagnia del cigno, on Yabla, recites the sonnet perfectly when she joins an Italian class in her new school. It seemed like a perfect occasion for us to discuss some interesting features of the sonnet. One feature is the use of the subjunctive (il congiuntivo), a grammar topic we've talked about in previous lessons, so this is a chance to look at one more way to use this tricky verbal conjugation. 

Benedetto sia il giorno e il mese, e l'anno.

Blessed be the day and the month, and the year.

Captions 1-2, La compagnia del cigno EP 5 - Part 3

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That is how she begins. Here is the entire sonnet:

Francesco Petrarca (1304-1374)
Sonetto LXI dal Canzoniere (sonnet 61 from the "songbook")

Benedetto sia 'l giorno, e 'l mese, e l'anno,
e la stagione, e 'l tempo, e l'ora, e 'l punto,
e 'l bel paese, e 'l loco ov'io fui giunto
da' duo begli occhi che legato m'hanno;
e benedetto il primo dolce affanno
ch'i' ebbi ad esser con Amor congiunto,
e l'arco, e le saette ond'i' fui punto,
e le piaghe che 'nfin al cor mi vanno.
Benedette le voci tante ch'io
chiamando il nome de mia donna ho sparte,
e i sospiri, e le lagrime, e 'l desio;
e benedette sian tutte le carte
ov'io fama l'acquisto, e 'l pensier mio,
ch'è sol di lei, sì ch'altra non v'ha parte. 

The poem starts out with the subjunctive (Benedetto sia…). How does this work?  The poet is expressing a wish, a blessing, or a devotional hope. That's one way the subjunctive is used in Italian.

We have looked at the subjunctive mood (il congiuntivo) and how the conjunction che (that, which) triggers it on so many occasions.

But other conjunctions trigger the subjunctive, as well. Subordinating conjunctions (including che) are used to connect a dependent or subordinate clause (one that can't stand alone) to a main clause in different ways. They're called congiunzioni subordinanti in Italian and are categorized into groups such as concessive (of concession), temporali (of time), causali (of cause), finali (of purpose), etc. 

We will go through them one by one over the course of multiple lessons and provide examples from Yabla videos. Knowing the names of the various conjunction types is not the important thing, but recognizing their meaning and being able to use them when needed or desired will enhance your speaking and writing. As you learn more Italian, you will begin recognizing them and incorporating them into your speech and understanding. These conjunctions play a role in instructions, rules, and regulations, so it's a good idea to be familiar with them. 

Some are more common than others, and you will hear them again and again in Yabla videos, as well as in everyday speech. Practicing them in Speak, Scribe, and Revo will reinforce your command of them and help them feel natural. To see more examples, do a search of your chosen conjunction on the "videos" page and they will be listed. Open the transcript if you need more context or complete sentences. 

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In this lesson, we will deal with some common conjunctions of concession. In English, these are words like "despite," "notwithstanding," "although," "even though," etc. In Italian, they are: benché, sebbene, malgrado che, nonostante, anche se (which doesn't necessarily take the subjunctive depending on the context).

Here's an explanation of what this kind of conjunction is about, in Italian and in English. 

Le congiunzioni concessive introducono un ostacolo che non impedisce l'azione principale.

Concessive conjunctions introduce an obstacle that doesn't impede the principal action. 

As we will see, some of the conjunctions we encounter already contain the conjunction che. And we can guess that at one time, they were separate words: bene che or se bene. Two of the conjunctions of concession contain the adverb bene (well). With benché, it's at the beginning, whereas with sebbene, it's in second place. Bene (well, good) is generally a positive or reinforcing word. That can help us understand that even though there is an obstacle in the subordinate clause, it doesn't prevent the main clause from being true. 

You might be wondering if benché and sebbene are interchangeable. They are indeed. And they both take the subjunctive. In the first example below, the verb in the subjunctive mood is avere (to have), and in the second example, it's essere (to be). 

benché (even though, although)

Ho fatto il matto anch'io, benché avessi quindici anni nel quarantacinque,

I went crazy too, even though I was fifteen years old in nineteen forty-five,

Captions 58-59, Vera e Giuliano Montaldo - Part 4

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sebbene

Ma prima nessuno, nessuno aveva visto questa meraviglia, neanche gli uomini preistorici perché, sebbene siano state trovate delle tracce, eh, di, della loro presenza in altri punti, in questi ambienti assolutamente no.

But before that, no one, no one had seen this wonder, not even prehistoric men because, although traces have been found, uh, of, of their presence in other spots, in these chambers, absolutely not.

Captions 5-9, Meraviglie S2EP1 - Part 7

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A way to express the same idea informally, and without needing the subjunctive, is with anche se (even if). 

Ci sono certe realtà che vanno raccontate, anche se fa male.

There are certain realities that need to be told, even if it hurts.

Captions 24-25, Liberi tutti EP7 Quanto vale una pera al Milanetto? - Part 6

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nonostante (despite, despite the fact that, notwithstanding)

A dodici anni ha composto la sua prima opera e nonostante fosse un genio, i suoi l'hanno obbligato a studiare da avvocato,

At the age of twelve, he composed his first work and even though he was a genius, his parents forced him to study to be a lawyer,

Captions 7-9, La compagnia del cigno S2 EP 2 - Part 7

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The handy thing about nonostante is that it can be followed by either a verb in the subjunctive mood or by a noun! It works similarly to "despite" in English. When followed by a noun, nonostante works like a preposition. 

Pochi sono venuti a trovarlo, nonostante tutto il bene che ha fatto.

Few came to visit him, despite all the good he did.

Captions 8-9, Imma Tataranni Sostituto procuratore S1 EP6 Dalla parte degli ultimi - Part 15

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malgrado (despite, in spite of)

Ecco le campane, oggi è domenica, e malgrado sia un giorno di festa, la città, ehm, si muove in questo momento, forse perché molti son' tornati dalle vacanze.

There go the bells, today is Sunday, and even though it is a non-work day, the city, uhm, is stirring right now, perhaps because many have come back from their holidays.

Captions 16-19, Rosalba al parco della donna gatto - Part 1

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Malgrado can also be followed by a noun.

Malgrado l'ora tarda, giovani dai quindici ai vent'anni hanno invaso la stazione Centrale

Despite the late hour, young people from fifteen to twenty years old invaded the Central Station

Captions 5-6, Guido Crepax Cercando Valentina - Part 3

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Malgrado and nonostante are pretty much interchangeable, but nonostante is more common, and malgrado can seem negative (from the presence of mal = evil), as well as being a bit more formal. These two concessive conjunctions are quite interesting, and we'll delve deeper into them in a future lesson.

Thanks for reading. We hope gathering conjunctions together can help you make sense of them. See also Daniela's video lessons about il congiuntivo and this one about subordinating conjunctions.

Write to us at [email protected] or leave a comment on the "videos" page. 

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We often wonder: When do we use il congiuntivo (the subjunctive) in Italian?

For curiosity's sake, let's have a look at where the subjunctive came from. 

The word "subjunctive," as used to denote a grammatical mood, derives directly from the Latin "modus subjunctivus." This, in turn, is a translation from the original Greek term "hypotaktike enklisis" (subordinated mood/mode). In Greek, the subjunctive is almost exclusively used in subordinate clauses (hence the "sub" in subjunctive).

We talk about the subjunctive mood, but "mood" was a variant coming from the original Latin word "modus" (mode), meaning "way" or "manner" (among other things). One way to look at the subjunctive is as a way of using verbs in a subordinate clause. 

The earliest known usage of the term "subjunctive" in English dates from the 16th century. Nowadays, this mood or mode is used only sporadically in English. But in Italian, as a language based on Latin, it is used quite a bit. Of course, given that language is in continual evolution, nowadays, people dispense with the subjunctive some of the time, especially in informal speech, as you will discover in watching Yabla videos. Not everyone uses correct grammar all the time. 

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The sentences below are fairly simple, where the main clause is not much more than just a pronoun (included in the conjugation of the verb) and a verb. And instead of an object, we have a new (subordinate) clause beginning with che (that) or with other conjunctions.

Italian and English share the image of the "nose" to speak figuratively about different behaviors or attitudes. 

Take a look at Marika's video about various expressions having to do with il naso (the nose). 

Oggi parliamo di quelle espressioni che hanno a che fare con il naso.

Today, let's talk about those expressions that have to do with the nose.

Captions 4-5, Marika spiega Espressioni con naso

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We'll take a look at some of these expressions further in this lesson.

First of all, how do we say "nosy" in Italian? One way is to use the verb ficcare "to stick in..." Being nosy is when you stick your nose into situations where you probably shouldn't. 

No, perché se so che hai ricominciato a curiosare, a ficcare il naso dentro delitti, omicidi... ah!

No, because if I find out that you have started poking around, sticking your nose into crimes, homicides... ow!

Captions 29-30, Provaci ancora prof! S2EP1 - La finestra sulla scuola - Part 16

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We can compress this expression into a noun/adjective as well. 

Allora, lei è una che fa finta di starsene per conto suo, ma poi te la ritrovi sempre fra i piedi, una grandissima ficcanaso.

So, she is someone who pretends to mind her own business, but then you always find her underfoot, hugely nosy.

Captions 45-47, Provaci ancora prof! S1E4 - La mia compagna di banco - Part 30

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In the previous example, ficcanaso was used as a noun, as we can see by its indefinite article. But it can also be used as an adjective to describe someone. 

And we use the same noun, ficcanaso, in both the singular and the plural. 

A me i ficcanaso un mi so' [non mi sono] mai garbati [piaciuti].

Me, snoopers, I've never liked.

Caption 30, Il Commissario Manara S1EP2 - Vendemmia tardiva - Part 8

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Ficcare is commonly used in this expression, but not only. You'll find some examples on WordReference. Ficcare is somewhat similar to infilare or inserire, but it implies an action lacking in grace. 

Let's look at a very common expression used to describe someone who is snobbish or stuck up. 

When we talk about someone with la puzza sotto al naso (the stink below one's nose), we're talking about someone who is haughty, with one's nose in the air, or a snob. 

Be', quando facevo il liceo, c'era una classe dove c'era un sacco di figlie di professionisti, molte con la puzza sotto il naso.

Well, when I went to high school, there was a class where there were a bunch of professionals' daughters, lots of them with a stink under their noses [their noses in the air].

Captions 15-17, Illuminate Margherita Hack - Part 6

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The English word snob has made its way into the Italian language, as an adjective meaning "snobbish," but the longer expression is extremely common. 

Finally, a way to say something is based on one's intuition rather than precise information, is a naso (by one's nose), or a lume di naso (by the light of one's nose). They both can mean something like "an impression," "a gut reaction," "a gut feeling," or "off the top of one's head," "by the looks of things." So basically, you're making an educated guess, using your intuition. 

E ti è sembrata sincera? A lume di naso, no.

And did she seem sincere to you? Intuitively [by the light of my nose], no.

Captions 23-24, Provaci ancora prof! S3 EP2 Doppio imprevisto - Part 22

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We can use a naso when we're talking about measurements we are guessing at without knowing precise numbers, like the size of a room. Another way to translate this, depending on the context, is "by the seat of one's pants." 

There are certainly other expressions using the nose or the sense of smell, but this is a good start. Let us know if you come across other expressions with the nose that might be interesting, and we'll add them to the lesson. Write to us at [email protected]. 

Thanks for reading. Next month, we will look at a similar expression to a naso, having to do with approximation, so stay tuned!

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Food, and eating and drinking are very important to all of us. But how to talk about this in Italian? There are different ways, but one of the basic things to know is that being hungry and thirsty are most commonly expressed using the verb avere (to have) plus the noun la fame (the hunger) or the noun la sete (the thirst). We've provided the articles to know the gender, but the article is not used in this formula. 

Io però ho fame.

But I'm hungry.

Caption 88, I Bastardi di Pizzofalcone S1 EP6 Buio - Part 9

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Ho sete.

I'm thirsty.

Caption 52, La linea verticale EP 5 - Part 4

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But in the next example, the article is used. Note that who is hungry is identified by an indirect object pronoun — mi or a me (to me) in this case. 

M'è passata la fame.

I've lost my appetite [to me, the hunger has passed]

Caption 59, Com'è umano lui Film - Part 14

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Peppi', t'aspetto fuori, che m'è passata la sete a me.

Peppi', I'll wait outside, since I'm not thirsty anymore [to me the thirst has passed].

Caption 27, Chi m'ha visto film - Part 4

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So, instead of asking, "How hungry are you?" the question can become, "How much hunger do you have?" 

C'avete fame? -Sì, altroché. Ma quanta? -Tanta.

Are you hungry? -Yes, absolutely. But how [hungry]? -Very.

Captions 25-26, Provaci ancora prof! S3 EP2 Doppio imprevisto - Part 21

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Sometimes, we might want to use an adjective, especially when we're very hungry. We can say affamato.

Tutto sommato retaggio di un'Italia che, fino a pochi decenni prima, era un'Italia tutto sommato affamata.

All in all, a heritage of an Italy, which until a few decades earlier, was a hungry Italy, all in all.

Captions 62-63, L'arte della cucina L'Epoca delle Piccole Rivoluzioni - Part 11

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We can also say, when we feel "desperate," Sto morendo di fame (I'm dying of hunger). 

And to remove hunger, in other words, to feed someone, we can use the prefix S: 

Diceva che non avevano abbastanza soldi, non potevano permettersi un'altra bocca da sfamare.

He would say that they didn't have enough money. They couldn't afford another mouth to feed.

Captions 13-14, I Bastardi di Pizzofalcone S1EP3 Vicini - Part 19

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We can also "give someone something to eat," dare da mangiare. 

Devo dare da mangiare a mia figlia.

I have to feed my daughter.

Caption 15, Adriano Olivetti La forza di un sogno Ep. 1 - Part 11

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Maybe this lesson has made you affamato. We hope that you can sfamarti. Thanks for reading. You can write to us a [email protected]. 

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You might have heard Italians saying, "D'accordo" to mean "OK," or "all right," in your travels, in movies and TV shows, or elsewhere. Depending on the context and inflection, it can be posed as a question:

D'accordo?

All right?

Caption 29, Provaci ancora prof! S2E5 Vita da cani - Part 8

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 Or it can be a statement of agreement. 

D'accordo.

All right.

Caption 73, I Bastardi di Pizzofalcone S1EP2 Rabbia - Part 20

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There are various ways to use d'accordo and its main noun, accordo (agreement). We've mentioned some of them in this lesson. 

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But there is also a verb form, accordare. One common use of this verb is in music. It means "to tune," such as the strings of a musical instrument. 

Ah, perfetto. -Accordare la chitarra. -Sì.

Ah, perfect. -To tune a guitar. -Yes.

Caption 67, L'Eredità -Quiz TV La sfida dei sei. Puntata 2 - Part 10

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You might have heard Daniela use accordare when talking about "agreement" between various parts of speech. 

Chiaramente, se il soggetto è plurale il verbo va accordato anche alla terza persona plurale.

Clearly, if the subject is plural the verb has to agree in the third person plural, as well.

Captions 3-4, Corso di italiano con Daniela La forma passiva - Part 3

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It's very common to use mettersi d'accordo to come to an agreement or essere d'accordo to agree or to be in agreement:

Dai, ti sei messa d'accordo con Polio e Faber per farmi uno scherzo

Come on, you ganged up with Polio and Faber to play a joke on me,

Caption 15, Com'è umano lui Film - Part 10

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Sono d'accordo con te.

I agree with you.

Caption 9, I Bastardi di Pizzofalcone S1EP5 Misericordia - Part 25

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But it's also possible to use the reflexive verb accordarsi.

Gli sposi devono accordarsi su un piccolo particolare della formula, nessun problema.

The bride and groom have to come to an agreement about a little detail for their vows, no problem.

Caption 19, Sposami EP 5 - Part 21

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Finally, accordare can also mean "to grant." In this case, it's transitive.

Ma, veramente, commissario, ha preso un giorno di permesso. Ma gliel'ha accordato Lei, prima di partire.

But actually, Commissioner, she took a personal day. But you granted it to her, before leaving.

Captions 5-6, Il Commissario Manara S1EP6 - Reazione a Catena - Part 2

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Permesso accordato.

Permission granted.

Caption 106, Provaci ancora prof! S3 EP2 Doppio imprevisto - Part 20

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Thanks for reading. Send your questions and comments to [email protected] or use the comments section of the video you happen to be watching. 

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There are various ways to talk about showing up in Italian. They often involve the reflexive form of a verb. Let's look at some examples. 

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Farsi vedere. We use the verb fare reflexively with the infinitive form of the verb vedere (to see). Literally, it means something to the effect of "to make/let oneself be seen." Sometimes it's about showing oneself or being seen.

Scusa, Diana, e se la persona che si firmava nel biglietto, quella che non voleva farsi vedere, non fosse una donna?

Excuse me, Diana, and if the person who signed the card, the one who didn't want to show himself, weren't a woman?

Captions 19-20, Imma Tataranni Sostituto procuratore S1 EP3 I giardini della memoria - Part 6

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In the previous example, someone didn't want to be seen. In the following example, however, it means to show up, to come around. 

Non si sono fatti più vedere qua.

They never showed up here again.

They were never seen here again.

Caption 19, Imma Tataranni Sostituto procuratore S1 EP5 Rione Serra Venerdì - Part 7

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When you want someone to stay in touch, you can say:

Posso dire: "Fatti vedere ogni tanto, è un mese che non ci parliamo".

I can say: "Show up every now and then. We haven't talked to each other in a month."

Caption 13, Marika spiega Il verbo vedere - Part 2

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Another way to say something similar is farsi vivo (to make oneself alive). It doesn't make sense literally, but it can mean "to show up" or "to get in touch." It's a way to be non-specific about actually showing up, in other words, it can also imply calling or writing, since it doesn't use the verb vedere (to see).

Non credo si faccia vivo, comunque stia tranquillo.

I don't think he'll get in touch, but regardless, don't worry.

Caption 19, Il Commissario Manara S1EP6 - Reazione a Catena - Part 11

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Mi faccio vivo io. -Commissario,

I will be in touch. -Detective,

Caption 63, Provaci ancora prof! S2E4 L'amica americana - Part 11

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Another way to show up is with the reflexive verb presentarsi. 

A parte la moglie di Rotunno, c'è anche un altro passeggero che non si è presentato:

Besides Rotunno's wife, there's another passenger who didn't show up:

Captions 81-82, Provaci ancora prof! S2EP1 - La finestra sulla scuola - Part 8

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Related to showing up, we have the verb comparire (to come into view).

Però, proprio per queste caratteristiche, è un cattivo che può comparire solo eccezionalmente.

However, precisely because of these characteristics, he is a villain who can only seldomly appear/be present.

Captions 39-40, Fumettology TEX - Part 5

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Aside: Similar to comparire is apparire, a cognate of the verb "to appear." In Italian, it is often used before an adjective and means "to seem" or "to appear to be." We'll explore the difference between apparire and comparire in a separate lesson. 

Thanks for reading. You can practice using one of the expressions above when someone shows up or doesn't show up, or when you want someone to show up. 

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In English, we usually think of baptism as being carried out in a church, with water. The cognate is used in Italian too, in this same context.

I testimoni, perché? È un battesimo, mica è un matrimonio.

The witnesses, why? It's a baptism, not a wedding.

Caption 11, Il Commissario Manara S2EP7 - Alta società - Part 4

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Già, perché Galileo è nato a Pisa, era un pisano. È stato battezzato nel Battistero,

Right, because Galileo was born in Pisa, he was a Pisan. He was baptized in the Baptistery —

Captions 5-6, Meraviglie EP. 4 - Part 10

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But Italians use the verb battezzare (to baptize) figuratively, too, in various contexts. Let's look at a few examples that come up in Yabla videos. Battezzare means "to give a name."

È un piatto nuovo e l'ho battezzato "l'amour retrouvé" [francese: l'amore ritrovato].

It's a new dish and I christened it, "l'amour retrouvé" [French: recovered love].

Caption 47, La Ladra EP. 10 - Un ignobile ricatto - Part 12

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Il furto a casa Parascandolo, sai come l'abbiamo battezzato?

The theft at Parascandolo's house, do you know what we named it?

Captions 63-64, I Bastardi di Pizzofalcone S1 EP6 Buio - Part 8

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Eproprio questo forte vento ha dato il nome, ha battezzato questo incredibile sistema di ambienti sotterranei, e infatti questa è la Grotta Grande del Vento.

And precisely this strong wind gave a name to, it "baptized" this incredible network of subterranean chambers, and in fact, this is the Great Cave of the Wind.

Captions 21-24, Meraviglie S2EP1 - Part 4

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Abbiamo battezzato le note, abbiamo dato il nome alle sette note.

We've "baptized" the notes, we've given a name to the seven notes.

Captions 58-59, A scuola di musica con Alessio - Part 1

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Thanks for reading. Write to us at [email protected]. We love to hear from you!

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Trentino–Alto Adige is a region in northern Italy, right on the border with Austria and Switzerland. It has two main provinces:

Trentino, with the capital city Trento (Trent), where almost everyone speaks Italian.

Alto Adige, also called South Tyrol (German: Südtirol), with the capital city Bolzano (German: Bozen), where most people speak German as their first language.

Because of its history, the region is officially bilingual (in fact, trilingual, since Ladin, a local Romance language, is also recognized in some valleys).

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Many towns and cities in South Tyrol have both German and Italian names:

Bolzano / Bozen

Merano / Meran

Bressanone / Brixen

 

This is because South Tyrol was part of Austria-Hungary until 1919, when it became part of Italy after World War I. The local population was mostly German-speaking, but the Italian government wanted to strengthen Italian identity in the new territory.

During the Fascist period (1920s–1940s), Mussolini ordered the Italianization of South Tyrol. German was banned in schools and public life, and all German place names were replaced with Italian ones. These Italian versions were often invented or adapted by the Italian nationalist Ettore Tolomei.

Ostilità verso i dialetti, repressione delle minoranze linguistiche. [Bozen, Bolzano. Trento]

Hostility towards dialects, repression of minority languages.

Captions 4-5, Me Ne Frego Il Fascismo e la lingua italiana - Part 2

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Unless you go there or look at a map, you might only see or hear one version of the place name, the one in the language being spoken at the moment. Can it be confusing? Yes.

Qui, nell'Abbazia di Novacella a Varna in Val d'Isarco, a pochi chilometri da Bressanone, in tanti hanno sostato e trovato ricovero.

Here in the Abbey of Novacella in Varna in the Valley of Isarco, at only a few kilometers from Bressanone [Brixen], many have stopped and found refuge.

Captions 20-23, Itinerari Della Bellezza Trentino Alto Adige - Part 3

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Today, both languages are recognized. Street signs and official documents are in Italian and German. For example, you’ll see “Bolzano/Bozen” on road signs or maps.

💡 Did you know?

Besides Italian and German, a third language is spoken in some valleys of South Tyrol: Ladin.

In Italian, it’s called ladino.

In German, it’s called Ladinisch.

Ladin is not the same as the modern language Ladino (or Judeo-Spanish), which is spoken by Sephardic Jews. The two are unrelated.

Ladin is a very old Romance language, directly descended from Latin, and is still spoken in a few Alpine valleys (for example, the Val Gardena / Gröden and Val Badia / Gadertal). Because of this, South Tyrol is sometimes described as a trilingual province: Italian, German, and Ladin.

Thanks for reading. You can write to us at [email protected].

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In Italian, there are two words that mean "to wait:" aspettare, which we use most of the time, and attendere, which means the same thing but is used primarily in formal situations and in particular contexts, such as on the phone.

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We've already had a lesson about the verb aspettare and its nuances. In this lesson, we will look at examples of the verb attendere, as well as the noun form l'attesa. Attendere is often a command using the infinitive of the verb. See this lesson about using the infinitive form of a verb to give a command.

Marinella? -Servizio di segreteria telefonica. Attendere, prego.

Marinella? -Answering service. Wait, please.

Captions 1-3, I Bastardi di Pizzofalcone S1EP3 Vicini - Part 6

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You might also hear attenda in linea (hold the line), where the imperative form is used.

Both aspettare and attendere can be transitive (taking a direct object) or intransitive verbs. Note that in English, we use a preposition — "to wait for" while the two Italian verbs can be transitive with no preposition needed.

Aspetto il treno (I'm waiting for the train).

In the following example, aspettare could have been used in place of attendere. 

Come ogni volta, ad attenderlo c'è Peppino, l'amico di mille battaglie.

As always, there's Peppino waiting for him, his friend in a thousand battles.

Captions 21-22, Chi m'ha visto film - Part 19

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And when someone (or a machine) puts you on hold, you are in attesa (waiting).

E poi ci sarebbe un nuovo cliente in attesa.

And then there would be a new client waiting.

Caption 86, Provaci ancora prof! S3 EP2 Doppio imprevisto - Part 4

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When you are waiting for an appointment or for a train, you'll likely sit in la sala di attesa (the waiting room).

It might not seem so, but the adjective attendibile comes from the same root, attendere. It describes something worth considering.

No, c'è un'ipotesi più attendibile. -Sentiamo.

No, there's a more plausible theory. -Let's hear it.

Caption 30, Il Commissario Manara S1EP4 - Le Lettere Di Leopardi - Part 10

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Aspettare has a related noun form: aspettativa. One specific meaning is "leave of absence," for example, from a job.

La preside mi ha detto che hai inoltrato la domanda di aspettativa al dipartimento.

The principal told me that you had forwarded the request for a leave of absence to the department.

Caption 49, Provaci ancora prof! S1E2 - Un amore pericoloso - Part 12

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The same noun, primarily used in the plural, can mean "expectations." Here, we can connect it to the reflexive verb form aspettarsi (to expect). 

Il reso è una procedura per restituire un prodotto che non soddisfa le tue aspettative.

The return is a procedure for returning a product that does not meet your expectations.

Captions 51-52, Vocaboliamo Acquisti online

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It's good to be familiar with both verbs! There may be more related words we haven't mentioned here, so feel free to let us know if you come across any. 

Thanks for reading. You can write to us at [email protected].

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In English, double letters matter in spelling, but in pronunciation, not so much. In Italian, however, double consonants are pronounced differently from single consonants. We're usually talking about the letters M, N, P, S, T, D, G, L, V, C, among others. And the meaning of a word can change drastically from double letter to single letter within a word.

In this lesson, let's focus on the letter L. Consider these two words: molare and mollare. 

Il molare is a noun meaning "the molar," when talking about teeth. In fact, the verb molare has to do with grinding (grinding is what molars do), and a grinder is called una mola in Italian. 

But if we turn that L into a double LL, it's a different story.

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Una molla is a spring, like a slinky, like the spring you have in a ballpoint pen. 

La sola idea di, di, di fargli passare una vecchiaia da solo, in un posto così triste come un canile, forse è stata la molla che è scattata in me.

Just the idea of, of, of having him spend his old age by himself, in a place as sad as a dog pound, was maybe what triggered my decision.

Captions 50-52, Andromeda La storia di Ulisse

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In the previous example, Andromeda is talking about adopting or rescuing a dog from a kennel. She uses the noun la molla, with the verb scattare. When you pull the trigger on a gun you are releasing an internal spring. So using molla and scattare together are a way of saying "to trigger."

We use this expression, for example, when things come to a head and something sparks a decision. There is perhaps one crucial catalyst. 

The verb mollare is used in a variety of circumstances, from physically letting go of something, such as a bone. Here, mollare is used physically, but in a metaphoric way.  In English, we often say, "He's like a dog with a bone."

Ma quelli non mollano l'osso manco morti!

But those guys never let go of the bone, not even dead.

Caption 35, La Ladra EP. 2 - Viva le spose - Part 10

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Mollare can mean "to give up." In this case, there is no object; in other words, when it means "to give up," "to give in," or "to back down," mollare is intransitive. 

Appunto per questo, non devi mollare.

Exactly because of this, you shouldn't give up.

Caption 39, Il Commissario Manara S1EP11 - Beato tra le donne - Part 1

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Non mollare. -Vai.

Don't give up. -Go.

Caption 4, L'oro di Scampia film - Part 11

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Mollare is one of those verbs where the command form often uses the infinitive, as in non mollare! (don't let go, don't give up).

When mollare is transitive, having a direct object, it means "to drop," "to leave," "to quit." It's often used for quitting a job or leaving a partner.

Non ha più voluto insegnare. Poi, prima di mollare tutto, ha voluto parlare con me.

She no longer wanted to teach. Then, before dropping everything, she wanted to talk to me.

Captions 63-65, La compagnia del cigno S1 EP4 - Part 5

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Ancora devono smaltire il fatto che ho mollato l'università.

They still have to get over the fact that I dropped out of college.

Caption 29, Com'è umano lui Film - Part 12

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Gemma m'ha mollato.

Gemma dumped me.

Caption 4, Un medico in famiglia Stagione 3 S3EP4 Lo stagno del ranocchio - Part 6

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Thanks for reading. We hope to have clarified the difference between molare and mollare and to have helped you understand the various nuances of the verb mollare.

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Un pennello is a paintbrush. Un pennello can be used for painting a house or wall, or per dipingere un quadro (to paint a painting). 

Pennello. -Eccomi, capo.

Paintbrush. -Here I am, boss.

Caption 60, PIMPA S3 EP7 La casa colorata

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Anche sugli occhi, mi si chiese di non fare il segno delle ciglia con un unico gesto del pennello, ma di cercare di rendere le ciglia più vaporose, più disegnate.

Even on the eyes, I was asked not to do the line of the lashes with a single stroke of the brush, but to try to make the lashes more voluminous, more defined.

Captions 34-36, Fumettology Diabolik - Part 6

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A pennello is something else. The preposition a in this case means "in the manner of."  So we get "paintbrush-like." The original expression uses the verb calzare (to wear, generally referring to shoes or gloves): Calzare a pennello. As if someone had painted the shoes or gloves on someone, they fit so perfectly. In English, we might say, "It fits like a glove." The expression is used figuratively by extension, with other verbs, to mean "to perfection" or "perfectly." Let's look at a couple of examples from Yabla videos.

Eh... come il cacio sui maccheroni, cioè come una cosa che ci sta a pennello, che... Perché, in effetti, Anna, quello che stai dicendo è una cosa molto tipica qui in Italia. 

Uh... like macaroni and cheese, that is, like something that pairs perfectly, that... Because, actually, Anna, what you are saying is something very typical here in Italy. 

Captions 56-58, L'Italia a tavola Tonnarelli cacio e pepe - Part 1

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Oggi siamo inondati di bufale, studiate a pennello per ingannare la povera gente.

Nowadays, we are inundated with fake news studied with a paintbrush [perfectly designed] to deceive poor folks.

Captions 41-43, Marika commenta - L'ispettore Manara Espressioni idiomatiche - Part 2

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A somewhat similar expression is a fagiolo. 

Un fagiolo is a bean. We usually use the plural when it's about food. 

Non ti piace la mia pasta e fagioli?

Don't you like my pasta and beans?

Caption 3, I Bastardi di Pizzofalcone S1 EP6 Buio - Part 6

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But when we say something happens a fagiolo, that's something different. There are various verbs to use before it:

andare (to go) 

capitare (to happen)

cascare (to fall)

venire (to come, to arrive)

arrivare (to come, to arrive)

And a fagiolo can mean:

a genio (brilliantly)

al momento giusto (at the right moment)

al punto giusto (to the right degree)

a proposito (perfectly relevant)

The origin of the expression is uncertain. If it began in Tuscany, we can say that beans are a favorite dish for Florentines, especially, so the meaning is positive. Black and white beans were once used to cast votes in meetings and assemblies. Some scholars say that might be the source of the use of beans in such an expression. This author wonders if it might be about the bean fitting perfectly into the pod it comes from. 

Here's an example from a Yabla video. The context is that a warehouse where evidence was stored blew up, supposedly because of a gas leak. Imma Tataranni is extremely skeptical. 

Davvero? Ah, per qualcuno arriva a fagiolo questo gas, eh.

Really? Ah, for someone, this gas arrived at the perfect moment, huh.

Caption 21, Imma Tataranni Sostituto procuratore S1 EP4 Maltempo - Part 2

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Stay on the lookout for a pennello and a fagiolo. Now you will know what they mean!

Thanks for reading! Please write to us with your ideas and questions: [email protected]

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Sometimes, even if you have a good command of a language, you come across a word that doesn't immediately match up with any other words you know in that language. You can simply look up the English translation and add it to your flashcards, or memorize it. But sometimes it is interesting to look up the etymology of the word, and then you say, "Ah ha! I get it." It can help you remember it. 

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That happened with a preposition in this week's segment of Provaci ancora, prof!  Renzo is mopping the floor of his studio, perhaps to let off steam, and his mother-in-law shows up. He doesn't want her to step on his newly mopped, wet floor, so he asks her to stay as close to the wall as possible, in other words, to hug the wall. He uses the word rasente.

Sì, magari se devi passare proprio, vai un po' rasente rasente il muro perché...

Yes, if you {really} have to come through, maybe go nice and close to the wall because...

Captions 61-62, Provaci ancora prof! S3 EP2 Doppio imprevisto - Part 12

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If we look closely at the word rasente, we might discern the -ente ending, indicating that the word likely comes from a verb, since -ente is an ending for the present participle of some verbs. The etymological dictionary tells us rasente comes from the verb rasentare. It means "to stay very close to."

This example is metaphorical, using the example of getting dangerously close to the edge of the cliff.  

Non s'arriva in così pochi anni dove siamo arrivati noi, se non si rasenta sempre il burrone.

One doesn't reach where we've gotten in so few years if one doesn't always graze the edge of a cliff.

Captions 4-5, Trailer Il figlio più piccolo

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But rasentare can also be used figuratively, to mean "to border on." 

Mi consideravo molto inferiore alla media e avevo un rispetto che rasentava quasi il terrore di mio padre, che era una personalità fortissima.

I considered myself way below average and I had a respect that bordered on terror of my father, who was a very strong figure.

Captions 13-15, Illuminate Rita Levi Montalcini - Part 6

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Looking up the etymology of a word online usually takes us to Treccani, a very trusted dictionary. But here's another etymological dictionary.

Some dictionaries say that rasentare likely derives from the verb rasare, meaning "to shave." Some say it derives from radere, another verb commonly used to mean "to shave". We think of the noun il rasoio (the razor) and the English verb "to raze."

Ma non era meglio con il rasoio elettrico, no?

But it wasn't better with the electric razor, huh?

Caption 2, Imma Tataranni Sostituto procuratore S1 EP6 Dalla parte degli ultimi - Part 11

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Looking up the Italian translation of "to raze," we obtain verbs like demolire (to demolish) but also radere al suolo (to raze [to the ground]). 

Thanks for reading. You can write to us with comments or questions at [email protected].

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When you fall in love with a person, an idea, an animal, a pair of shoes, a dress, or anything, really, Italians have a great expression for that: un colpo di fulmine. Literally, it's a lightning bolt, but it also contains the noun colpo, associated with the verb colpire (to strike). 

Sì, ho capito subito di piacergli e anche lui a me piaceva moltissimo. È stato un colpo di fulmine!

Yes, I knew immediately that he liked me, and I too liked him a great deal. It was a lightening bolt [love at first sight]!

Captions 21-23, Anna presenta La Bohème di Puccini - Part 1

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Colpo has various connotations, which is why we are devoting a lesson to this word. In police stories, it's about a shot from a firearm. 

Le hanno sparato a bruciapelo, un colpo al cuore, è morta quasi subito.

They shot her at point blank range, a shot to the heart. She died almost immediately.

Captions 52-54, Provaci ancora prof! S3 EP2 Doppio imprevisto - Part 1

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The verb colpire can be used in the same context. Colpire can imply shooting at something, but it can also mean "to hit."

E certo, erano anni che mi allenavo a sparare. E be', ma una cosa è colpire una sagoma e una cosa è ammazzare un uomo, no?

Of course, I had been training to shoot for years. Well, but it's one thing to fire at/hit a target and another to kill a man, right?

Captions 19-21, I Bastardi di Pizzofalcone S1EP2 Rabbia - Part 18

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 Colpire can imply a shot from a gun, but it can be from anything else, too. 

Dieci anni fa un fulmine ha colpito l'aereo su cui viaggiavo e da allora non ho più volato.

Ten years ago, lightning struck the plane I was traveling on and since then I haven't flown.

Captions 29-30, I Bastardi di Pizzofalcone S1EP1 I Bastardi - Part 21

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Colpire is often used figuratively, just as the verb "to strike" is used in English. 

La cosa che mi ha colpito di più, sa qual è?

The thing that struck me the most, you know what it is?

Caption 23, Un medico in famiglia Stagione 1 EP3 Un cugino in fuga - Part 4

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Prendere un colpo (to take a hit) is used when something strikes you emotionally or psychologically in a violent way. It's a reference to un attacco al cuore (a heart attack).

Gianmaria, mi hai fatto prendere un colpo.

Gianmaria, you startled me (you almost gave me a heart attack).

Caption 9, JAMS EP6 - Part 3

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Check out this lesson that mentions using colpo when impressing someone, with fare colpo (to make a splash, to make a huge impression). 

We hope this lesson encourages you to use the verb colpire and the noun il colpo. For lots of examples of how Italians use these words, do a search on the videos page, and start scrolling!

Thanks for reading. You can write to us at [email protected]. 

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In a recent lesson, we talked about the moon, and shapes. We mentioned which side il gobbo (the hump) would appear, according to whether the moon was waxing or waning. Here is an article in Italian about that. 

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In a recent video, there is also mention of gobbo. So let's delve a bit deeper into this interesting word. 

Little Livietta, in the series Provaci ancora, prof! is worried about a condition that might cause her to be slightly hunchbacked as she grows.

Diventerò gobba, mamma?

Will I become hunchbacked, Mom?

Caption 57, Provaci ancora prof! S3 EP2 Doppio imprevisto - Part 2

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It turned out she needed to just do some swimming. Here is what she reported to her father, as he came home after a hard day.

Amore, perché non dai la bella notizia a papà? -Ah, sì! Non diventerò gobba, papà.

Darling, why don't you tell Dad the good news? -Oh, yes! I won't become hunchbacked, Dad.

Captions 8-9, Provaci ancora prof! S3 EP2 Doppio imprevisto - Part 10

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In effect, gobba can be either an adjective or a noun. In our two examples, gobba is an adjective, but it may give the feeling of a noun. 

The noun form gobba indicates a bump or hump, usually on the upper back. Livietta's father, in a foul mood, comments this way:

Ma in fondo anche una piccola gobba cosa sarebbe stata, in confronto alla sofferenza del mondo, no?

But deep down even a little hump, what would it have been compared to the suffering in the world, right?

Captions 15-17, Provaci ancora prof! S3 EP2 Doppio imprevisto - Part 10

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Un gobbo can indicate a person who can be described as a hunchback. 

Gobbo (in the masculine form) can also refer to the prompt box. or its covering,  in a theater. A human prompter in a theater can be in the wings, or, in operas, the prompter can sit in a covered box in the center of the proscenium, so as to be seen by the performers, not the audience. 

In modern times, il gobbo may also refer to the teleprompter used in speeches, on TV, and in videos.

There are also specifically Neapolitan references to il gobbo, but we will leave those to the Neapolitans. We'll provide a final reference to a vegetable. Cardoons, called cardi in Italian, come in various shapes and sizes, one of which is sharply curved at its base. These are called gobbi in Tuscany. Here's an article.

Thanks for reading. Write to us at [email protected].

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We think of the word "crescent" as a noun. It's a shape. And it's also the shape of a waxing or waning moon. But did you ever stop to think about where the word came from? Well, in both Latin and Italian, crescere means "to grow." So a crescent moon is a growing (or waxing) moon. In Italian, we talk about la luna crescente or, when it's waning, la luna calante. Calare means "to lower," "to lessen."

Calare la pasta e mescolare ogni tre, cinque minuti.

Lower the pasta [into the pot] and stir every three to five minutes.

Caption 43, Vocaboliamo La pasta - Part 1

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So both calare and crescere can be transitive.

Devi crescere una figlia

You have to raise a daughter,

Caption 59, Com'è umano lui Film - Part 12

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But they can both be intransitive, too. When these verbs are used transitively, their compound tenses are formed with the auxiliary avere; when used intransitively, the auxiliary is essere. The transitive and intransitive usages have similar meanings.

Crescere sembra difficile

Growing up seems difficult

Caption 55, JAMS S1 EP 10 - Part 1

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When we talk about the moon's phases in Italian, we use the present participle of the verbs crescere and calare: crescente and calante, respectively. 

Gobba a ponente, luna crescente.

Hump on the west, the moon is waxing.

Caption 23, L'Eredità -Quiz TV La sfida dei sei. Puntata 2 - Part 11

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In the previous example, the noun gobba is used to describe the moon. The hump or hunchback form is either on the left side or the right side, and that determines whether the moon is waxing or waning. 

Sì, la gobba a levante, a Est è luna calante.

Yes, the hump to the east, in the East, it's a waning moon.

Caption 22, L'Eredità -Quiz TV La sfida dei sei. Puntata 2 - Part 11

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The moon has been visible to us since the beginning of time, and it's logical to describe it in human terms. We have the man in the moon. Farmers, of which there used to be many more than there are now, would look into the sky and see a shape that might correspond to something in their life. Certainly, the scythe (large version) and sickle (small version) were tools farm workers used every day to cut crops and grass. The moon's phases were important to determining when to plant and when to reap, so farmers paid attention to the moon. 

An old-time agricultural tool is la falce (the scythe). It has the shape of a crescent. That's why Italians might use the word "falce" to describe a moon, which is either waxing or waning, but which has the shape of a scythe, or a sickle, the smaller size instrument of the same type, called un falcetto in Italian.

This image is used in a poem by Gabriele D'Annunzio, also set to music by the composer Ottorino Respighi: Here are the first few lines. 

O falce di luna calante
che brilli su l’acque deserte,
o falce d’argento, qual mèsse di sogni
ondeggia al tuo mite chiarore qua giù!

O crescent [scythe] of a waning moon
You that shine on the deserted waters,
O silver crescent [scythe], what harvest of dreams 
flutters In your pale glow down here!

These days, people rarely use scythes in Italy, but they do often use a sickle, un falcetto. 

Thanks for reading. 

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We've talked about Italian nicknames and how they are formed in this lesson. But there are also classic terms of endearment or pet names that are used every day in a general way. Let's look at a few of them. 

One very common term of endearment is tesoro (treasure) or tesoro mio (my treasure). Depending on the tone and context, it can be heartfelt or slightly sardonic. In English, we'd likely say "honey," "sweetheart," or a variety of other terms. 

Tesoro, tranquilla.

Treasure, don't worry.

Caption 76, I Bastardi di Pizzofalcone S1 EP6 Buio - Part 10

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Just as proper names can be altered to be more "affectionate," so can terms of endearment. 

Tesoruccio mio, ti prego, perdonami.

Little treasure of mine, I beg you to forgive me.

Caption 33, La Ladra EP. 4 - Una magica bionda - Part 12

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Amore is another common term of endearment used in couples and with children.

Su, dai, andiamo! -Certo, amore.

Come on, come on, let's go. -Of course, love.

Captions 56-57, Il Commissario Manara S1EP12 - Le verità nascoste - Part 4

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Amore can have the same -uccio ending as tesoro. 

La pappa è quasi pronta, amoruccio di nonna, eh.

Dinner is almost ready, Grandma's little pet, huh.

Caption 61, Questione di Karma Rai Cinema - Part 18

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Of course, one of the best-known terms of endearment is caro (dear) or cara (dear). It is often used in the absolute superlative, carissimo, and often in the plural, carissimi. In contrast to tesoro, which is a masculine noun changing its ending only in number, caro changes its ending according to gender and number. 

Carissimi, come va?

Dear ones, how is it going?

Caption 64, Liberi tutti EP6 Caffè e cornetto? - Part 5

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When you call someone amico mio (my friend), it is usually not a friend at all. Here, too, the noun changes its ending according to gender and number. 

No, no, amico mio, io faccio questa, poi mi tiro fuori.

No, no my friend, I do this and then I'm pulling out.

Captions 63-64, Liberi tutti EP7 Quanto vale una pera al Milanetto? - Part 1

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Two animals are very popular as terms of endearment. Il passerotto (the sparrow) or la passerotta for females, and topolino/a. 

Però adesso non hai nessuna sottomano, povero passerotto solitario!

But now you have no one on hand, poor little lonely sparrow!

Caption 24, Il Commissario Manara S1EP7 - Sogni di Vetro - Part 9

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Those familiar with the show Commissario Manara might remember if Annarita, Questore Casadio's wife, had a pet name for her husband, who was quite short. Please let us know if you come across this pet name, and we will add it to this lesson. Write to us at [email protected] or in the comments section of the video where you find the pet name. And thanks for reading!