Italy has many colorful sayings that show the unique feelings and ideas in its language. Let’s explore some interesting Italian idioms that don’t have a direct translation in English but carry strong meanings.
This phrase means “into the wolf’s mouth.” In Italy, people say this to wish someone good luck, especially before a challenge. When someone says this to you, the friendly reply is “Crepi il lupo,” which means “may the wolf die.” This shows support and kindness.
This idiom literally means “to have your hands in dough.” However, it describes someone who is involved in different things, usually with some influence. Think of a chef mixing ingredients in a bowl; it’s about being hands-on and part of the action.
This saying translates to “he who sleeps doesn’t catch fish.” It means that you need to be active and alert to find success. It’s similar to the English saying, “You snooze, you lose!”
This phrase means “to make the devil four.” It describes someone making a lot of noise or causing trouble. You might use this if a child is throwing a fit, comparing their noise to mischief.
While this phrase translates to “to be in the balloon,” it actually means to feel confused or overwhelmed. If someone has too much going on or too many problems, you might hear this saying.
These idioms are just a glimpse into how lively the Italian language can be. Using them in your conversations can help you learn more words and appreciate the culture behind the language even more!
Italy has many colorful sayings that show the unique feelings and ideas in its language. Let’s explore some interesting Italian idioms that don’t have a direct translation in English but carry strong meanings.
This phrase means “into the wolf’s mouth.” In Italy, people say this to wish someone good luck, especially before a challenge. When someone says this to you, the friendly reply is “Crepi il lupo,” which means “may the wolf die.” This shows support and kindness.
This idiom literally means “to have your hands in dough.” However, it describes someone who is involved in different things, usually with some influence. Think of a chef mixing ingredients in a bowl; it’s about being hands-on and part of the action.
This saying translates to “he who sleeps doesn’t catch fish.” It means that you need to be active and alert to find success. It’s similar to the English saying, “You snooze, you lose!”
This phrase means “to make the devil four.” It describes someone making a lot of noise or causing trouble. You might use this if a child is throwing a fit, comparing their noise to mischief.
While this phrase translates to “to be in the balloon,” it actually means to feel confused or overwhelmed. If someone has too much going on or too many problems, you might hear this saying.
These idioms are just a glimpse into how lively the Italian language can be. Using them in your conversations can help you learn more words and appreciate the culture behind the language even more!