Learning a new language can be both exciting and challenging. While mastering grammar and vocabulary is essential, understanding and using idiomatic expressions can truly elevate your language skills and make you sound like a native speaker.
What are idioms? Idioms are phrases that have a figurative meaning that is different from the literal meaning of the words. They are often culturally specific and can be tricky for language learners to grasp.
Why learn Italian idioms? Learning Italian idioms will help you:
- Sound more natural: Idioms are a hallmark of native speakers.
- Understand native speakers better: You’ll be able to grasp the nuances of everyday conversations.
- Connect with Italian culture: Idioms often reflect a culture’s history, values, and way of life.
10 Essential Italian Idioms
- Fare acqua da tutte le parti: Literally “to leak from all sides,” meaning to be full of flaws or to be completely unreliable.
- Toccare il cielo con un dito: Literally “to touch the sky with a finger,” meaning to be extremely happy or excited.
- Restare a bocca aperta: Literally “to be left with an open mouth,” meaning to be astonished or amazed.
- Non avere peli sulla lingua: Literally “to not have hairs on the tongue,” meaning to be very frank and honest.
- Essere un pezzo di pane: Literally “to be a piece of bread,” meaning to be a very kind and generous person.
- Come il cacio sui maccheroni: Literally “like cheese on pasta,” meaning to be perfect or to be exactly what is needed.
- Contare fino a dieci: Literally “to count to ten,” meaning to take a moment to calm down and think before speaking or acting.
- Essere al verde: Literally “to be green,” meaning to be broke or have no money.
- Fare orecchie da mercante: Literally “to make ears of a merchant,” meaning to pretend not to hear or understand.
- Essere sano come un pesce: Literally “to be healthy as a fish,” meaning to be very healthy.
Learn Italian with Clidante
Want to learn more Italian idioms and improve your overall language skills? Clidante offers a variety of Italian courses designed to help you reach your language goals. Our experienced teachers will guide you through the intricacies of the Italian language, including grammar, vocabulary, and of course, idiomatic expressions.