Parola del Giorno

È un bel po’ che non ci si vede!

Keith A Preble & Marcello Gammella — Thu, 16 May 2013 05:30:07 PDT

Today’s Parola del Giorno is the expression, È un bel po’ che non ci si vede!, which means Long time, no see! See the expression used below in its context:

Marina fa shopping in Via Venezia quando s’accorge di un vecchio amico che non vedeva da anni.
Marina is shopping in Via Venezia when she recognizes an old friend she has not seen for years.

Marina: “Tommaso!”
Marina: “Tommaso!”

Tommaso: “Marina, come stai?”
Tommaso: “Marina, how are you?”

Marina: “Bene, e tu?”
Marina: “Well and you?”

Tommaso: “Anche io! È un bel po’ che non ci si vede!”
Tommaso: “I’m well, too! Long time, no see!”

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efferato

Keith A Preble & Marcello Gammella — Wed, 15 May 2013 05:30:00 PDT

Today’s Parola del Giorno is the adjective, efferato, which can mean heinous or ferocious. See the adjective used below in its context:

Le azioni dei soldati durante la guerra civile di Sierra Leone furono efferate. Speriamo che il paese e il mondo possano evitare questi tipi di problemi nel futuro.

The soldiers’ actions during the Sierra Leone’s civil war were heinous. Let’s hope the country and the world can avoid these types of problems in the future.

a oltranza

Keith A Preble & Marcello Gammella — Tue, 14 May 2013 05:30:33 PDT

Today’s Parola del Giorno is the phrase, a oltranza, which literally means to the last. It’s often combined with the noun, lo sciopero, to mean an all-out strike or with the verb, combattere, to mean to fight to the death. See the expression used below in its context:

I ferrovieri minacciano sciopero a oltranza se non verranno accolte le loro richieste di adeguamento contrattuale.

Railworkers are threatening an all-0ut strike if their requests for a contractual increase are not accommodated.

appiccicoso

Keith A Preble & Marcello Gammella — Mon, 13 May 2013 05:30:04 PDT

Today’s Parola del Giorno is the adjective, appiccicoso, which means sticky. When describing people, it can also mean clinging. See the adjective used below in its context:

I dolci che ho comprato in panetteria sono troppo appiccicosi e adesso le mani sono sporche! Come mai mettono tutto quel miele sopra? Mi si sporcano sempre le mani!

The desserts that I bought at the bakery are too sticky, and now my hands are dirty! How come they put all that honey on top? They always get my hands dirty!

sentire ragioni

Keith A Preble & Marcello Gammella — Fri, 10 May 2013 05:30:47 PDT

Today’s Parola del Giorno is the verb expression, sentire ragioni, which means to listen to reason. See the verb expression used below in its context:

Simona non vuole sentire ragioni. Ha deciso di andare in vacanza in Sardegna e non vuole ascoltare le proposte degli altri. Non so però se gli altri l’accontenteranno.

Simona doesn’t want to listen to reason. She decided to go on vacation in Sardinia and doesn’t want to listen to anyone else’s proposals. But I don’t know if the others will be pleased.

morigerato

Keith A Preble & Marcello Gammella — Thu, 09 May 2013 05:30:11 PDT

Today’s Parola del Giorno is the adjective, morigerato, which means moderate, sober or temperate. You can see the adjective used below in its context:

Alberto conduce una vita molto morigerata: non ha strane abitudini, è molto abitudinario ed non esce spesso di sera.

Alberto leads a very sober life: he does not have any strange habits, is very set in his ways and does not go out often at night.

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essere la fine del mondo

Keith A Preble & Marcello Gammella — Wed, 08 May 2013 05:30:53 PDT

Today’s Parola del Giorno is the expression, essere la fine del mondo, which means to be terrific. See the expression used below in its context:

Anna: Adesso Marta ogni domenica va in chiesa, lo sapevi?

Anna: Marta now goes to church every Sunday, did you know that?

Corinna: Che? Ma se non è religiosa!

Corinna: What? But she’s not religious!

Anna: Sì, lo so. Mi sa che è innamorata del nuovo prete argentino! E poi il lunedì mi dice sempre che è la fine del mondo.

Anna: Yes, I know. Something tells me that she is in love with the new Argentine priest! And then every Monday she always tells me that he is terrific.

Corinna: Peccato che non possa sposarlo!

Corinna: Pity that she can’t marry him!

Anna: Esagerata!

Anna: You’re exaggerating!

raddoppiare

Keith A Preble & Marcello Gammella — Tue, 07 May 2013 05:30:57 PDT

Today’s Parola del Giorno is the verb, raddoppiare, which means to (re)double or to intensify. The past participle is raddoppiato. Avere is used in compound tenses. See the word used below in its context:

L’altra sera ho giocato a poker e ho raddoppiato la posta. Purtroppo non mi è andata bene e ho perso circa quaranta euro!

The other evening I played poker, and I doubled the stakes. Unfortunately, I was unlucky and lost around 40 euro!

il gettone

Keith A Preble & Marcello Gammella — Mon, 06 May 2013 05:30:21 PDT

Today’s Parola del Giorno is the noun, il gettone, which can mean token. A token often resembles a coin and is purchased to use in games (at the arcade - sala giochi - or funfairs/amusement parks – i luna park), public transport, etc. See the noun used below in its context:

Alla sala giochi ho cambiato 4 euro in gettoni e ora possiamo fare otto partite a biliardino! Le vincerò tutte!!

At the arcade I changed 4 euro for tokens, and now we can play eight games of pinball! I will win them all!

schiacciare un pisolino

Keith A Preble & Marcello Gammella — Fri, 03 May 2013 05:30:43 PDT

Today’s Parola del Giorno is the verb expression, schiacciare un pisolino, which means to take a snooze or to have/take a nap. You can see our expression in action from this video from La Repubblica! See the expression used below in its context:

La domenica, dopo pranzo, mi fumo una sigaretta e schiaccio un pisolino. Non c’è niente di più bello di riposare un’oretta dopo il pranzo della domenica… anche se non fa molto bene alla digestione!

On Sundays, after lunch, I smoke a cigarette and have a nap. There is nothing more beautiful than resting an hour after Sunday lunch…even if it is not very good for the digestion!

da sballo

Keith A Preble & Marcello Gammella — Thu, 02 May 2013 05:30:55 PDT

Today’s Parola del Giorno is the expression, da sballo, which means rip-roaring. See the expression used below in its context:

L’otto volante è da sballo!! Su e giù, su e giù…! È un’esperienza indimenticabile!

The roller coaster is rip roaring!! Up and down, up and down…! It is an unforgettable experience.

scarseggiare

Keith A Preble & Marcello Gammella — Wed, 01 May 2013 05:30:00 PDT

Today’s Parola del Giorno is the intransitive verb, scarseggiare (di), which means to lack (something), to be lacking (something), or to be in short supply (of something). The past participle for the verb is scarseggiato. Avere is used with compound tenses. You can see the verb used in its context below:

Il nostro paese scarseggia di benzina perché ci sono sanzioni economiche contro tanti paesi che esportano il greggio.

Our country is in short supply of petrol because there are economic sanctions against so many countries that export crude oil.

guardarsi allo specchio

Keith A Preble & Marcello Gammella — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 05:30:39 PDT

Today’s Parola del Giorno is the verb expression, guardarsi allo specchio, which means to look at oneself in the mirror. I am sure that this is something that many of us do every morning as we get ready for work! See the verb used below in its context:

Angelo: “Che fa Riccardo al bagno?”

Angelo: “What is Riccardo doing in the bathroom?”

Tommaso: “È davanti allo specchio come sempre!”

Tommaso: “He is in front of the mirror as always!”

Angelo: “Si guarda sempre allo specchio!”

Angelo: “He is always looking at himself in the mirror!”

Tommaso: “Forse dovrebbe cambiare il suo nome in Narciso?”

Tommaso: “Perhaps he should change his name to Narcissus?”

essere un pezzo di pane

Keith A Preble & Marcello Gammella — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 05:30:31 PDT

Today’s Parola del Giorno is the verb expression, essere un pezzo di pane, which means to be as good as gold. See the expression used below in its context:

Francesco è proprio un pezzo di pane: è sempre generoso e disponibile con gli altri.

Francesco is just as good as gold: he is always generous and heplful with others.

l’intruglio

Keith A Preble & Marcello Gammella — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 05:30:50 PDT

Today’s Parola del Giorno is the noun, l’intruglio, which means concoction. See the noun used below in its context:

Davide mangia in modo molto disordinato e poco invitante! Ieri sera aveva preparato un intruglio immangiabile con pomodori, cipolle, capperi, olive, formaggio e aceto! Sosteneva che era la sua personale versione del gazpacho! A me veniva da vomitare solo a sentirne l’odore!

David eats very haphazardly and unappealingly. Yesterday evening he had prepared an inedible concoction with tomatoes, onions, capers, olives, cheese and vinegar. He claimed it was his personal version of gazpacho! I felt like vomiting only smelling the stench of it.

avvalersi (di)

Keith A Preble & Marcello Gammella — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 05:30:05 PDT

Today’s Parola del Giorno is the pronominal verb, avvalersi, which means to avail oneself (of), to make use (of), or to exercise a right. The past participle is avvalso. Essere is used in compound tenses. See the verb used below in its context:

Tante persone credono che i politici siano corrotti quando si avvalgono dell‘immunità politica per proteggersi.

So many people believe ]politicians are corrupt when they make use of political immunity to protect themselves.

terso

Keith A Preble & Marcello Gammella — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 05:30:48 PDT

Today’s Parola del Giorno is the adjective, terso, which can mean bright or clear when describing the sky or water and also clean, when describing air quality. See the adjective used below in its context:

Oggi andiamo sull’Etna e speriamo che il tempo tenga: è una giornata tersa, l’ideale per riuscire a vedere a miglia di distanza!

Today, we are going up Etna hope the weather holds: it is a clear day, ideal for being able to see for miles!

disfare il letto

Keith A Preble & Marcello Gammella — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 05:30:55 PDT

Today’s Parola del Giorno is the verb expression, disfare il letto, which means to strip down the bed. See the expression used below in its context:

La domenica disfaccio i letti, lavo le lenzuola, sistemo la casa e faccio un sacco di altre cose. Chi dice che la domenica è un giorno per rilassarsi è pazzo!

Every Sunday I strip down the beds, wash the sheets, clean the house, and do a ton of other things. Whoever says that Sundays are a day for relaxing is crazy!

l’anima gemella

Keith A Preble & Marcello Gammella — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 05:30:49 PDT

Today’s Parola del Giorno is the noun, l’anima gemella, which means soul mate or kindred spirit. See the noun used below in its context:

La mia ex compagna di scuola, Marina, si è sposata sette mesi fa, ma siamo ancora anime gemelle: parliamo quasi ogni giorno, ci mandiamo gli sms e ci vediamo almeno due volte alla settimana. È proprio una grande amica!

My former schoolmate, Marina, got married seven months ago, but we are still soul mates: we talk almost every day, we send each other SMS messages, and we see each other at least two times a week. She is really a great friend!

lo scontrino (fiscale)

Keith A Preble & Marcello Gammella — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 05:30:00 PDT

Today’s Parola del Giorno is the noun, lo scontrino (fiscale), which means receipt (the fiscale is optional). Remember that in Italy, you are required by law to take your receipt so make sure that you ask for one if they do not give you one. Although it’s not common and very unlikely (however, given the current economic conditions here, the authorities are cracking down on tax cheats), you could be fined by the Finance Police (Guardia di Finanza) for not carrying your receipt out with you. See the noun used below in its context:

Ho comprato una nuova camicia per Matteo. Se non gli va bene lo può sempre cambiare perché ho conservato lo scontrino. Basta che non faccia passare più di una settimana!

I bought a new shirt for Matteo. If it doesn’t fit, he can always exchange it because I saved the receipt. As long as he doesn’t wait more than a week!

essere lì lì per + infinitive

Keith A Preble & Marcello Gammella — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 05:30:44 PDT

Today’s Parola del Giorno is the phrasal verb, essere lì lì per + infinitive, which means to be about to or to be on the verge of doing something and describes an action that is imminent or about to take place. See the verb expression used below in its context:

Ero lì lì per chiamare Maria quando ha squillato il mio telefonino! Che sorpesa! Era proprio Maria!

I was on the verge of calling Maria when my mobile rang! What a surprise! It was Maria calling!

perdere di vista

Keith A Preble & Marcello Gammella — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 05:30:48 PDT

Today’s Parola del Giorno is the verb phrase, perdere di vista, which means to lose sight of. You can see the expression used below in its context:

Tanti credono che il governo italiano abbia perso di vista delle cose importanti: l’occupazione giovanile, l’ambiente e la ricerca universitaria!

Many believe the Italian government has lost sight of the important things: youth employment, the environment and university research.

Può darsi

Keith A Preble & Marcello Gammella — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 05:30:01 PDT

Today’s Parola del Giorno is the verb expression, Può darsi, which means Maybe or Perhaps. See the expression used below in its context:

Marco: Scusami, voglio accompagnare i bambini a scuola. Ti trovo quando ritorno a casa?

Cara: Può darsi.

Marco: Excuse me, I want to accompany the children to school. Will I find you when I return home?

Cara: Maybe.

ragliare

Keith A Preble & Marcello Gammella — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 05:30:11 PDT

Today’s Parola del Giorno is the intransitive verb, ragliare, which means to bray, a sound made predominantly by donkeys. It can also be used figuratively, as seen in our example below. The past participle is ragliato. Avere is used in compound tenses.

See the verb used below in its context:

Davide ha un tono di voce insopportabile. Quando si lamenta sembra che ragli come un asino!

David has an unbearable tone of voice. When he complains, it sounds like he is braying like a donkey.

buono come il pane

Keith A Preble & Marcello Gammella — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 05:30:29 PDT

Today’s Parola del Giorno is the expression, buono come il pane, which means as good as gold. See the expression used below in its context:

Il nostro professore delle scuole medie era davvero buono come il pane. Era sempre molto comprensivo e paziente e non si arrabbiava mai.

Our middle school teacher was really good as gold! He was always very understanding and patient, and he never got angry.

lo struzzo

Keith A Preble & Marcello Gammella — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 05:30:10 PDT

Today’s Parola del Giorno is the noun, lo struzzo, which means ostrich. You will often hear this noun used in the idiomatic expression, fare lo struzzo, which means to bury one’s head in the sand. See the expression used below in its context:

Sono ben conscio dei difetti della mia squadra. Non sono come quegli allenatori che fanno come gli struzzi e nascondono la testa sotto la sabbia per non ammettere i propri errori. Quando si perde, si perde tutti insieme.

I am well aware of my team’s failings. I am not like those trainers who are like ostriches and bury their heads in the sand by not admitting their errors. When you lose, all of us lose.

il/la giramondo

Keith A Preble & Marcello Gammella — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 05:30:08 PDT

Today’s Parola del Giorno is the invariable noun, il/la giramondo, which means globetrotter. See the noun used below in its context:

Mario: Hai saputo? Aurelio andrà in Russia il mese prossimo!
Angela: Ma è appena tornato dalla Spagna! Non ci credo!
Mario: Ne sei sorpresa?
Angela: Beh, in fondo no. Gli piace tanto viaggiare e non sta mai fermo in un posto per troppo tempo.
Mario: È proprio un giramondo!

Mario: Have you heard? Aurelio will go to Russia next month!
Angela: But he just returned from Spain? I don’t believe it!
Mario: You are surprised by it?
Angela: Well, not especially. He likes to travel a lot and never stays in one place for too much time.
Mario: He is really a globetrotter.

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(non) piangere sul latte versato

Keith A Preble & Marcello Gammella — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 05:30:54 PDT

Today’s Parola del Giorno is the expression, (non) piangere sul latte versato, which means to (not) cry over spilled milk. Piangere has an irregular past participle, pianto. See the expression used below in its context:

Dai! Non piangere sul latte versato…è inutile ora! Studia di più e meglio e vedrai che la prossima volta l’esame supererai brillantemente!

Come on! Don’t cry over spilled milk…it is useless now! Study more and better, and you will see that next time you will pass the exam with flying colors!

la padella antiaderente

Keith A Preble & Marcello Gammella — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 05:30:00 PDT

Today’s Parola del Giorno is the noun, la padella antiaderente, which means non-stick frying pan. See the word used below in its context:

Per cucinare uso sempre una padella antiaderente di modo che il cibo non rimane attaccato alla padella.

For cooking I always use a non-stick frying pan so that the food does not get stuck to the pan.

vedere il bicchiere mezzo pieno/mezzo vuoto

Keith A Preble & Marcello Gammella — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 05:30:23 PDT

Today’s Parola del Giorno is the expression, vedere il bicchiere mezzo pieno/mezzo vuoto, which means to see the glass half full/half empty. See the expression used below in its context:

Io sono una persona ottimista. Anche nelle situazioni difficili. L’anno scorso avevo un esame da sostenere e dovevo ancora studiare quattro libri. Però io vedevo il bicchiere mezzo pieno … non pensavo a quello che dovevo fare ma a quanto di buono avevo fatto fino ad allora!

I am an optimistic pereson. Even in difficult situations. Last year I had an exam to take, and I still had to study four books. But I saw the glass half full … I wasn’t thinking about what I had to do but about how much I had done so far.

chiassoso

Keith A Preble & Marcello Gammella — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 05:30:38 PDT

Today’s Parola del Giorno is the adjective, chiassoso, which means noisy. See the adjective used below in its context:

Ora che devo trasferirmi a Roma spero di capitare in una casa di persone adulte. Gli studenti sono troppo casinisti e io non voglio vivere in un appartamento chiassoso!

Now that I have to move to Rome, I hope to end up in a house of adults. Students are too rowdy, and I do not want to live in a noisy apartment.

spumeggiante

Keith A Preble & Marcello Gammella — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 05:30:25 PDT

Today’s Parola del Giorno is the adjective, spumeggiante, which means bubbly. It is often used to describe people who are “effervescent” (see the example below) or more literally to describe “bubbly” alcoholic (and often sweeter) drinks, like champagne. You can see the word used below in its context:

Antonella Clerici ha una personalità allegra e spumeggiante. Riesce sempre a mettermi di buon umore quando accendo il televisore e mi sintonizzo sui suoi programmi.

Antonella Clerici has a cheerful and bubbly personality. She is always able to put me in a good mood when I turn on the television set and tune into her programs.

Si ottiene un vino spumeggiante con la rifermentazione nel tino quando si aggiunge il mosto concentrato a caldo.

One obtains a bubbly wine with re-fermentation in the vat when one adds the concentrated warm must.