Standard Phrase USED Very frequently BY Some People
(at the half) • It means "at half past x" and there's no need to say what hour.
"Ci vediamo in piazza alla mezza?"
"See you in the square at the half?"
Standard Phrase USED Very frequently BY Some People
(at the half) • It means "at half past x" and there's no need to say what hour.
"Ci vediamo in piazza alla mezza?"
"See you in the square at the half?"
Italian
| Neapolitan
Naples,
Italy
Standard Phrase USED Very frequently BY Everyone
(v.) • You use "schizzechea" to say that it's drizzling.
"Sta piovendo?" "Solo un po'... Schizzechea."
"Is it raining?" "Just a bit... It's drizzling."
Submitted August 2020 by ottavio
Idiom USED On Rare Occasion BY Parents
(to have the tail) • Used when someone doesn't close the door when entering or leaving a room.
"Ma hai la coda? Chiudi la porta!"
"Do you have the tail? Close the door!"
Standard Phrase USED Frequently BY Almost Everyone
(It doesn’t rain on that ) • Used to say that there are no doubts about something.
"Agli italiani piace mangiare la pizza, su questo non ci piove."
"Italians like to eat pizza, it doesn’t rain on that."
syn
Acronym USED Very frequently BY Teens
Short for "comunque", which translates to "anyways" or "by the way".
"Cmq non mi va di andare al cinema stasera."
"I don't feel like going to the movies tonight btw."
Standard Phrase USED On Occasion BY Older Generations
(Who do you belong to? ) • Question any elder Southern Italian asks when meeting someone younger than them for the first time in order to know which family they belong to and/or who their parents and grandparents are.
“Giovanotto, a chi appartieni?” “Sono figlio del dottor Rossi.”
“Who do you belong to, young boy?” “I’m dr. Rossi’s son.”
A caval donato non si guarda in bocca
Expression USED On Occasion BY Almost Everyone
(Don’t look in the mouth of a gift horse) • It means that all that is given is something gained and it would be impolite to comment on the quality of the gift.
"La maglia che ti ha regalato Giuseppina non è di buona qualità, ma a caval donato non si guarda in bocca."
"The shirt Giuseppina got you is not of good quality, but don't look in the mouth of a gift horse."
Expression USED On Occasion BY Almost Everyone
(to climb on mirrors) • It is used when someone argues for groundless reasons.
"Ti sbagli e tutto ciò che dici non è vero, ti stai arrampicando sugli specchi."
"You're wrong and everything you say isn't true, you're climbing on mirrors."
Idiom USED Very frequently BY Everyone
(at every Pope's death) • It means rarely, once in a blue moon.
"Come va tuo figlio?" "Insomma, studia solo a ogni morte di Papa..."
"How's your son doing?" "Meh, he only studies once every Pope's death..."
syn
alt
Expression USED Frequently BY Most People
(in the butt of the wolves) • In a far away, hard to reach place.
"Vuoi andare a quella festa?" "Non lo so, è in culo ai lupi..."
"Do you want to go to that party?" "I don't know, it's in the butt of the wolves..."
Italian
Puglia and Campania,
Italy
Word USED Very frequently BY Everyone
(n.) • (Made-for-that-purpose) • Generic term for anything that can be used for any purpose.
“Vorrei appendere il quadro, ma non ho il fattapposta".
"I would like to hang the picture, but I don’t have the made-for-that-purpose."
syn
Expression USED Frequently BY Almost Everyone
(In the wolf’s mouth) • A wish of good luck.
“Ho un esame oggi e mi sento nervoso.” “In bocca al lupo!”
“I have an exam today and I’m nervous.” “In the wolf's mouth!”
syn
Sound USED Very frequently BY Dogs
This is what Italian dogs say.
"Bau bau bau!"
"Give me more food, human!"
syn
Sound USED On Occasion BY Everyone
(knock knock) • Onomatopeia indicating the sound made by someone knocking on a door.
"Toc toc, è permesso?"
"Knock knock, may I come in?"
æ
Expression USED On Occasion BY Everyone
(piece of bread) • When someone is a very good and altruistic person. It is usually only used with the 3rd person singular (he/she).
"Andrea è un pezzo di pane."
"Andrea is a piece of bread."
alt
æ
Word USED Frequently BY Gen Z'ers
(adj.) • (pussy) • Awesome or good-looking, if referred to a person.
"Oh, guarda quella là! Che fregna che è!"
"Oh, look at that girl over there! How pussy she is!"
syn
alt
æ
Parli del diavolo e spuntano le corna
Proverb USED On Occasion BY Everyone
(You speak of the devil and the corns come out) • When you talk or think of someone and they suddenly appear.
"Hai sentito di Marta? Ah, eccola... Parli del diavolo e spuntano le corna."
"Did you hear about Marta? Oh, there she is... You speak of the devil and the corns come out."
æ
Expression USED On Occasion BY Everyone
(four cats) • When there are very few people in a place.
"Quante persone ci sono alla festa?" "Quattro gatti."
"How many people are at the party?" "Four cats."
alt
Expression USED On Occasion BY Teens
(n.) • ((what a) show!) • It's often used by young people when facing something astonishing, amazing, or simply relaxing. It can also be referring to situations of thrilling experiences such as a wonderful sight or a pleasant smell/taste, or when receiving good news. In other words, it can be uttered after experiencing good vibes.
"Domani non lavorerò e potremo stare insieme tutto il giorno." "Spettacolo! Sto già pensando a come organizzare al meglio la giornata."
"I'm not working tomorrow and we could stay together all day." "What a show! I'm already thinking how we should best organize our day."
syn
Expression USED Frequently BY Most People
(What is said?) • A near-equivalent in English would be "what's up?", referring to people's perception of the general current situation. The question is usually referred to one or more people in particular, so it always has its specificity.
"Ehilà! Che si dice?"
"Hey there! What is said?”