SPICE UP YOUR LANGUAGE, AMICCI!
Which Italian words do you use? 10 idioms English speakers have embraced
Published on September 16, 2024
Credit: Dan Novac
Whoever has been to Italy knows that Italians have a rich cultural history. Their beautiful language includes terms that perfectly encapsulate the meaning of things other languages need more than one word to define. Since food and classical music are two very successful Italian exports, it should come as no surprise that many words we use in English-speaking countries relating to these areas can be traced back to their Italian origins. However, there are many other instances where this bella lingua has made its way into our daily conversations. Are you familiar with the following ten?
Bravo
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Some of the words on this list are more obviously Italian than others, and "bravo" is definitely one of them. We use this word in the same way as you use it in Italian, as a congratulatory exclamation that accompanies the name of the subject.
The main difference between the way it is used in Italian and English is that in Italian, a woman is described as brava, while a man is bravo. In English, however, we say "bravo" for both men and women.
Maestro
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It should come as no surprise that many words in this list come from the realm of classical music. The word "maestro" is an exact translation of the word "master" and is used to describe an expert in an artistic field. It is also sometimes used to describe a sports star.
Prima donna
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Keeping on with the trend of classical music terms, we encounter "prima donna." In the English language, this term is used as a single word and it describes the same character as in Italian: the lead female singer in an opera.
However, the most common use of the word in English is to describe people who take themselves too seriously and expect others to treat them in the same way.
Al Forno
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A term that sounds as Italian as it should, "al Forno" means "in the oven." It is used to describe dishes that are cooked in an oven, like pizza, prosciutto, pasta, and more. The term is commonly seen in Italian restaurants, written on menus, and elsewhere.
Tempo
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While in English, the word "tempo" is used to describe the different time signatures used in music, the term in its original Italian means "time" and is used in that broad sense.
The tempo of music refers to the speed and measures the beats per minute of a certain piece.
Circa
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A fancy word, indeed, "circa" is used in English in the same way as in Italian, to mean "approximately." The term is used when one needs to mark a specific year or period and is more commonly seen in written text than in spoken language.
Panini
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Another Italian term that has become a household word, thanks to its ubiquitous use in menus and restaurant names, is "panini." As we all know by now, in English-speaking countries, a panini is a toasted sandwich.
But, if we ask for a "panini" in Italy, we will receive two, or more, sandwiches, since panini is the plural and "panino" is the singular.
Diva
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A similar word to the previously mentioned "prima donna," a "diva" describes a woman of great talent in the opera. But it is more commonly used to refer to a woman who is temperamental or difficult to please. The word is very much associated with the world of show business but it can also be used in other contexts.
Paparazzi
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As it happens with "panini," the word "paparazzi" is the plural form in its original Italian version. But, unlike a panini which is usually required as a single item, even if the word is in its plural form, paparazzi photographers are rarely alone, making the use of the plural form, appropriate. A single photographer would be called a "paparazzo."
Dilettante
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We finish the list with a word used mostly in academic circles but heard in many other areas, especially since the explosion of social media in recent decades. A "dilettante" is an amateur who engages in an activity without serious intentions and who pretends to know the matter at hand.
We all have encountered such individuals. They are everywhere, offering their "expert" advice on things as varied as economics, life lessons, skincare, cooking tips, and everything you can think of. Thanks to Italians, we have a word for them.