Tag Archives: learn italian

Words of the Day: Rimorchiare, Acchiappare, Abbordare

Posted on May 11, 2012 by

It’s the weekend, so it’s time to learn some pick-up skillz. Well maybe not the skillz, not in this forum anyhow, but at least how to say it in Italian! Abbordare: Literally meaning to board, as in a ship, abbordare … Continue reading →

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Word of the Day: Rincoglionito

Posted on May 9, 2012 by

Today’s word of the day, rincoglionito, means an imbecile. It comes from the Italian verb, rincoglionire, which means to become stupid, be incoherent, or to lose capacity to use your brain. Not that calling someone an imbecile is ever particularly … Continue reading →

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Word of the Day: A buffo

Posted on February 22, 2012 by

Brace yourselves for this one, because it’s a doozie! I have recently learned that ’a buffo’ has two very distinct meanings. Like all Roman teenagers, I always used this phrase to mean ‘randomly,’ or more precisely, ‘without reason.’ For example: -’Anche … Continue reading →

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Word of the Day: Da paura!

Posted on February 16, 2012 by

You know when something is just so good that it’s scary good?! Well that, in Italian, is da paura! When you want to describe some thing, or some event, or some whatever, that is just so awesome that it’s frightfully awesome, throw a da … Continue reading →

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Word of the Day: Boh!

Posted on February 15, 2012 by

For a word that is not actually ‘real,’ boh sure does get a lot of play in everyday speak. Meaning, ‘I don’t know,’ ‘no idea,’ boh is uttered by all, in a kind of shoulder-shrug, compulsory way. Kind of like, ‘I wouldn’t … Continue reading →

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Word of the Day: Limonare

Posted on February 14, 2012 by

In honor of Valentine’s Day, I bring to y’all, limonare, the Italian word for ‘kissing with tongue.’ Or as Wikizionario explains ‘passionately kissing with tongue flirting’ sic. Simply, to make out. Related to limonare is the noun, limonata, meaning an exchange of passionate kisses. Limonare is conjugated … Continue reading →

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Word of the Day: Sciopero

Posted on February 2, 2012 by

If you’ve ever spent more than 10 days, consecutively, in Italy, chances are you have lived through a sciopero, or a strike. Sciopero, from the Italian verb, scioperare (to go on strike), means a strike or a walk out. I am … Continue reading →

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Word of the Day: Spicci

Posted on February 1, 2012 by

Ever try paying for something in Rome with a 50 euro bill and NOT get a dirty look? Forget a 50, what about a 20 euro bill? Them Roman cashiers, they sure don’t like big bills.  But more than that, … Continue reading →

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Word of the Day: Mammone

Posted on January 31, 2012 by

Something you notice right away in Italy is the power of the Italian mom. Not to say that other cultures do not have the typical ‘mom’ figure as well (e.g. my own Jewish mother), but for some reason, the mammas … Continue reading →

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Word of the Day: Scemo

Posted on January 30, 2012 by

Coming from the Italian verb, scemare, or to decrease, or wane, scemo means: idiot, fool, stupid, dim-witted, silly, twit, dumb… It’s not particularly nice to call someone a scemo (pronounced shehmo), but let’s be honest, sometimes you just gotta. Scemo can be used in … Continue reading →

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