8 cool Italian expressions you’ll learn in Rome
From gestures to food, to art, and, of course, language, Italians are known for being expressive in everything they do. With the help of a few of my Italian friends, I’ve arranged the twelve coolest expressions I learned during my year living and studying in Rome. My hope is that you can use these phrases and my explanations of their meanings to help you better understand the Italian language and the locals who speak it.
1. In bocca al lupo
The literal translation in English is “to be in the wolf’s mouth.” Italians normally use it when they wish each other good luck, especially before an exam or something important. I used to hear this expression on a daily basis around my University. The common response is “Crepi” or “Crepi il lupo,” which, in this sense, means “thank you.”
2. Non vedo l’ora!
When Italians say, “Non vedo l’ora,” literally meaning, “I don’t see the hour,” It’s the Italian for “I can’t wait.” What they are trying to tell you is that they are excited. In that moment, time is of no importance, they just really want to do something, and soon!
3. Essere in gamba
In Italy, if you want to say to someone, “You are very intelligent or well-informed,” then you would say, “Essere in gamba,” which literally means “to be in leg.” While this doesn’t translate super well, it’s just good to know that if something is “in leg,” it’s a good thing.
4. Perdere le staffe
It literally means to lose the stirrups. A more simple translation would be that the person lost his/her temper.
5. Non mi va
You will hear this expression, which translates as “it doesn’t go with me,” quite often when someone doesn’t agree with you. You can also use it casually as a response to a request when you’d like to say that you don’t feel like doing something. One common situation would be when you want to get rid of pushy vendors on the streets. In that case, you can simply say, “Allora, non mi va,” and politely walk away.
6. Rosso di sera bel tempo si spera
This is a very cute Italian saying used by locals to predict the weather for the following day. Its literal meaning is that if you have a red sunset at night then you’re likely to have good weather tomorrow.
7. Non avere peli sulla lingua
Translated as “not having hairs on the tongue,” this Italian phrase means to be straightforward and to speak your mind directly. Yes, be forewarned, Italians are often quite open and unafraid of saying what they believe to be right.
8. Mangia bene, ridi spesso, ama molto
And, last but not least, one of my favorite Italian sayings. Meaning “Eat well, laugh often, love much,” I don’t think there is any other expression that more completely surmises the Italian way of life. In my experience living and studying in Rome, I discovered and fell in love with the delicious food, melodic language, and beautiful Italian people. It was an experience I will always cherish. I hope you find the same!
Dancing the Tarantella
Throughout history, dancing has been used as a way to celebrate, worship, uplift, and cure, and countries around the world have folk dances that tell stories and bring insight into its rich history. Italy is no exception, with dozens of beautiful folk dances created within its timeline. Of all the Italian folk dances out there, none are more notable than the Tarantella.
Today, if you mention the word “tarantella” in Italy, you might be met with descriptions of a frenzied wedding dance. But really, this folk dance has a much darker history spanning several centuries.
FROM A DANCE TO CURE
Also known as “the dance of the spider,” the Tarantella is derived from the Italian word tarantola, meaning “tarantula.” The tarantola gets its name from the town of Taranto in Puglia, where the bite of the local wolf spider (the tarantula) was widely believed to be highly poisonous and led to a condition known as “tarantism.”
Tarantism was an epidemic that swept through Taranto and other parts of Italy between the 15th and 17th centuries. According to legend, once bitten by a tarantula, the victim, referred to as the tarantata — who was almost always a woman of lower status — would fall into a fit in which she was plagued by heightened excitability and restlessness. Eventually, she would succumb to the condition and die.
The only cure, it seemed, was to engage in the frenzied dancing ritual of the Tarantella. Townspeople would surround the tarantata while musicians would play instruments such as mandolins, guitars, and tambourines in different tempos in search of the correct healing rhythm. Each varied beat would affect the tarantata, leading her to move in erratic ways in line with the tempo. Once the correct rhythm was found, the victim — dancing the Tarantella alone until exhausted — was thought to be cured, having “sweated out” the venom!
TO A DANCE TO COURT
As the passage of time faded the legend’s mystique, the Tarantella eventually transformed from a cure to a deadly disease to a couple’s dance — either a man and woman, or two women — performed at wedding ceremonies and other celebrations. In fact, the Tarantella is now considered unlucky by some to be danced alone.
With music written in a lively 6/8 time, this rapid whirling dance is characterized by light, quick steps, and flirtatious gestures between the two partners. Typically, the woman carries a tambourine, and her rapid movements are used as a way to excite her counterpart. On the other hand, the man’s movements are made to charm his partner with his agility and tenderness. Sounds suave, indeed!
At your next celebration, instead of the Waltz, Tango, or Electric Slide, take a stab at dancing the Tarantella!
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Bimbo – The origins of the English expression ‘bimbo’ are Italian – but beware how you use the word in Italy. You may think that a bimbo is a rather unintelligent female, but Italians use the word to mean a very young male child.
