Italian Vocab

Not sure of the correct Italian word to use? Want another example of how to use a Italian expression in context? Perhaps you would like to know more about regional differences. This is the place for you! You can browse the topics, do a search in the top right corner of this page, or start a new conversation. Don’t be shy!

proprio

Ciao Maria ed a tutti Non ho capito chiaro la parola "proprio" come usarlo. Il mio dizionario dica la significa è own, one's, proper, exact, correct and really. I know that we're not to get stuck on an exact meaning of a word but I just don't understand ...

2 replies - Last post by Fran-N - May 14, 2012

So ....?

Will someone please tell me if "cosi" can be translated in different ways? I've always thought it was "so" in all its forms, but are there more translations/usages?

5 replies - Last post by grahame-r - May 10, 2012

portare

Ciao Maria, Per favore come si dire queste parole in l'englese...... portare, potrie e portate. Per esempio Potrei vedere la lista dei vini. May I see the wine list. Perchè non "Posso vedere la lista dei vini"? Fran :-)

8 replies - Last post by shahid-a - April 4, 2012

love

amore

2 replies - Last post by Maria-DiLorenzi - March 12, 2012

stato

Ciao a tutti e Maria. Mia domanda `e spiegare " stato"........ io so questo `e da i verbi essere e il dizionario detta " state of, repair, fettle e been". Ho frassi " sono stata derubata" = I was robbed. And my research tells me that "stato" is passa...

3 replies - Last post by Maria-DiLorenzi - February 15, 2012

5.1 Caro

Buon Giorno Maria e a tutti In 5.1 when explaining carino, Maria you add an extra word to mean the same. Not sure of the spelling but it sound like "carruccio". None of my dictionaries recognize it. Could you please give me the correct spelling so to ...

2 replies - Last post by Fran-N - December 25, 2011

Translation of "feels like"

I heard a phrase in Italian that sounds like "vadi andare" or "fadi andare" which I am told translates to "feel like". It makes not sense to me. Am I hearing it correctly? How would you translate "He feels like going to ...

5 replies - Last post by Maria-DiLorenzi - October 22, 2011

flashcard machine

I was looking for an online program where I could enter the words that I was having trouble with and create a flashcard. Stumbled on to this program where not only can I create my own flashcards but there are hundreds of flashcard sets in Italian created...

5 replies - Last post by Maria-DiLorenzi - September 1, 2011

Gli alberi

Why is it gli alberi instead of i alberi. I thought you use gli when there is a Z or S with a consonant after it.

1 reply - Last post by Maria-DiLorenzi - June 26, 2011

Negroni straight up

How do you order a Negroni or other cocktail straight up?

1 reply - Last post by Maria-DiLorenzi - May 16, 2011

Sono felice di...

How does one say: 'I am pleased to announce that...' Does 'Sono felice di annunciare che...' do it? or Mi fa piacere di annunciare...

1 reply - Last post by Maria-DiLorenzi - May 16, 2011

coffee

What type of coffee should I order in Italy if I want a short latte? At Starbucks, a short latte is a shot of espresso with steamed milk (8 oz total). In Italy, is this equivalent to a cappuccino or latte macchiato? What is the difference between the two?

1 reply - Last post by Maria-DiLorenzi - May 16, 2011

Italian for "slowly"???

Lesson 1.2 Piano = slowly.. Later lesson Lentamente = slowly. I tried looking up Piano in an Italian American Dictionary and its not there. Confused here

2 replies - Last post by Maria-DiLorenzi - May 3, 2011

Maggiore

can I say this? Mia sorella é maggiore di me? oppure, mia sorrella é piú veccia di me? My suster is older than me.

1 reply - Last post by Maria-DiLorenzi - March 9, 2011

Multiple ways

Am I correct if I used the word especialmente for The word especially? What other italian words may I use?

5 replies - Last post by Maria-DiLorenzi - February 22, 2011

Subito

Buon giorno, my question is the word "subito" In 1.3 the word was translated ""right away" 2.3 translates it "just", The online dictionary translates it "quickly". I'm not really making a connection between the 3. Could you help me pls to understand...

4 replies - Last post by Maria-DiLorenzi - February 14, 2011

How do you say

"Shall we go see"

5 replies - Last post by Maria-DiLorenzi - January 22, 2011

a question

Hello, just a quick question for anybody who can answer me: how do you say in Italian.."how do you say in Italian...... That's all. Ibrahim

3 replies - Last post by Maria-DiLorenzi - December 1, 2010

Meglio vs migliore

Hi, Can you help me understand when to use meglio vs when to use migliore? Grazie mille, Colette

1 reply - Last post by Maria-DiLorenzi - October 6, 2010

Telling Time

Hi. If the time is 3:30 pm, Is it uncommon or odd when using the 24 hr. clock, to say "sono le quindici e un mezzo"? I'm thinking that usually the 24 hour clock expressions are more precise or rigid and one should say "sono le quindici ...

1 reply - Last post by Maria-DiLorenzi - October 6, 2010

face

I have seen volto and faccia used to mean a persons face. Ex. He had a sad look on his face. I thought volto meant to face a direction or someone. Ex. Face the teacher when speaking. Is there a rule to know which to use?

4 replies - Last post by Colette-B - September 24, 2010

to hear and to listen?

need some help plz. :? When would i use sentire (to hear)and ascoltare(to listen) in a italian sentence?

1 reply - Last post by Maria-DiLorenzi - August 19, 2010

accento grave e accento acuto

Ciao ci! Is there a rule/guideline for when Italian words have an accento acuto (an acute accent, as for perché) or an accento grave (grave accent, as for lunedì)? It appears the grave accent is used primarily on a, i, o, u to mark when the stress fall...

1 reply - Last post by Maria-DiLorenzi - June 14, 2010

vocabulary

In lesson 3.9 there are two different words for "today" Oggio and Stamattina. Is there a difference in the usage of these two words?

1 reply - Last post by Maria-DiLorenzi - June 9, 2010

Weekend

What would be the common phrase italian phrase for "have a great weekend"? Thanks!

2 replies - Last post by mspringer - April 25, 2010

It took me....

Ciao, Mi diga per favore come se dice in Italiano: IT TOOK ME.. Like to say "it took me 2 hours to go to sleep". Grazie, Edith

8 replies - Last post by Maria-DiLorenzi - April 15, 2010

Mi piace, Ti piace, Ci piace, etc.

The part of the lesson where this was discussed was not clear to me. The lesson did not mention "vi piace" until the quiz. Can you clarify the different forms of "I like, you like, she likes, they like, etc? Grazie.

2 replies - Last post by karoz - April 14, 2010

There was, there were

Ciao, sono ancora io (??) We have learned how to say "There is", and "There are". But, how would you say "There was", or "There were"? Would it be something like this: Ce e essuto and ce sono essuto? Thanks, Edith

2 replies - Last post by dcnsanti - November 12, 2009

choice

Hi I wonder can someone help me with the pronunciation of the Italian noun "la scelta" meaning mainly *choice* in English. The dictionary I am using seems to suggest it should be pronounced with an 'f' sound as if it was spelt __felta__. Is this...

2 replies - Last post by Maria-DiLorenzi - September 7, 2009

Allora

On a trip to Rome last week, I was having a conversation with an Italian, trying to anyway. Each time this person became stuck in the conversation they used the phrase " allora". I took this to mean maybe, " um" or "hold on"...

1 reply - Last post by Maria-DiLorenzi - July 22, 2009

Capisco/Capito?

What is the difference in the following Non capisco and Non ho capito. They supposedly both mean I dont understand and are there different ways to say I understand.

1 reply - Last post by Maria-DiLorenzi - July 22, 2009

please

When does one use the term 'per favore' versus 'per piacere'?

1 reply - Last post by Maria-DiLorenzi - June 8, 2009

Hotel vs albergo

What is the difference between a hotel and an Albergo?

1 reply - Last post by jimmywarren - December 14, 2008

Caruccio

Hi folks, In lesson 5.1 (Domestic), we are introduced to a new alternative word for cute or expensive: _caruccio_. Unfortunately it isn't listed in the transcripts, so I had to guess the spelling from Maria's pronunciation. Strangely, when I tried to lo...

1 reply - Last post by (deleted) - November 1, 2008

NEVER BETTER

HOW DO YOU SAY "NEVER BETTER" IN ITALIAN (MEANS: NEVER WAS BETTER)? THANKS, REUVEN

3 replies - Last post by azak1492 - September 17, 2008

greetings in italian

How can i greet my relatives in italy, using italian language?

1 reply - Last post by (deleted) - July 2, 2008

Hungover

I know that the Italian word for "drunk" is ubriaco. I was wondering if anyone knew the word for "hungover" - or if there even is one. I have always been told that the Italian culture is much more mature when it comes to drinking, lik...

1 reply - Last post by martin - June 2, 2008

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