Welcome to the second part of my holiday gift guide for Italy Lovers.

I’ve drawn up a list packed with creative ideas for presents that will certainly help you make “una bella figura” – a good impression!

The best part? You won’t have to break the bank to do so — everything is priced between $5 to $20!

So, without further ado, here is my selection of books and films about Italy  — look closely, there might be JUST what you’re looking for.

 FILMS SET IN ITALY

A film set in Italy is a good way to get in the mood for an upcoming vacation in the ‘bel paese’ or to think about the time you spent there. These films should be a part of every Italophile movie collection.

• Vacanze Romane (Roman Holiday)

A beloved classic with the ever-charming Audrey Hepburn at the helm. What’s not to love?

• La vita è bella  (Life is Beautiful)

Warning: this is not for the faint of heart. You’ll cry. A lot. Get your tissues ready.

Oscar-winning “La vita è bella” tells the story of a father who shields his son from the horrors of a concentration camp by pretending it’s all a game.

• Mangia prega ama  (Eat Pray Love)

Julia Robers embarks on a journey of self-discovery in Italy. The film is based off of Elizabeth Gilbert’s 2006 memoir.

• Sotto il sole della Toscana (Under the Tuscan Sun)

Can’t make it to Tuscany? Just enjoy the Tuscan scenery from the comfort of your own home with the movie “Sotto il sole della Toscana”.

• Letters to Juliet

Verona is home to Juliet’s balcony and is where this film takes place. Take a delightful trip around the city with Amanda Seyfried who plays the main character, Sophie.

• The Tourist

A romantic thriller starring Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp. Set in Venice. ‘Nuff said.

• To Rome with Love

Fun, romantic and star-studded. Worth it if you miss Rome and its beautiful views. Because, in all honesty, who can say no to Rome?!

 BOOKS ABOUT ITALY

• Eating Rome, Elizabeth Minchilli

Elizabeth Minchilli has been eating her way through Rome since she was 12 years old. Eating Rome, based on her popular blog Elizabeth Minchilli in Rome, is her homage to the city that feeds her, literally and figuratively.

• Dreaming Sophia: Because Dreaming is an Art, Melissa Muldoon

Dreaming Sophia is a magical look into Italy, language, art, and culture. It is a story about turning dreams into reality and learning to walk the fine line between fact and fantasy.

• La Bella Lingua: My Love Affair with Italian, the World’s Most Enchanting Language, Dianne Hales

A celebration of the language and culture of Italy, La Bella Lingua is the story of how a language shaped a nation, told against the backdrop of one woman’s personal quest to speak fluent Italian.

• Cooking with Nonna: Celebrate Food & Family With Over 100 Classic Recipes from Italian Grandmothers, Rossella Rago

Take a culinary journey with Rossella from Italy to America with her debut cookbook Cooking with Nonna, featuring over 100 classic Italian recipes.

Which Italian item is your fave?

Don’t forget to check out my other Christmas gift guide for more inspiration!

This post includes affiliate links to products I recommend. You can read my full disclosure here.

The post ❄️ The perfect Christmas gift guide for Italy Lovers – Films & Books Edition appeared first on Learn a new language while having fun and exploring the world | Runaway Daydreamer.

Just in time for the holiday gift-giving season, I’ve put together the best Italian-inspired gift ideas to create a list that will make your Christmas merrier and brighter.

This list includes some of my favorite things, items that I personally own and items that I’d buy for someone who is crazy about Italy and all things Italian.

I hope it will help you find the perfect gift for the special people in your life or even for yourself.  *wink wink*

Stuck for gift ideas? Check out this wonderful gift guide for Italy lovers!
Click To Tweet

 ITALIAN ESSENTIALS

1) A MOKA POT

Coffee is more than just a daily ritual in Italy.

Like food, coffee is sacred in our country and our caffè has nothing to do with the watery, tasteless coffee often served in bars and cafeterias around the world.

If you want to enjoy coffee like a true Italian, you need the right equipment — a Moka pot!

There are so many to choose from but Bialetti would undoubtedly be a top choice.

I recently gifted the one with the colors of the Italian flag and it was greatly appreciated!

Illy coffee makers are also pretty darn cool so you should totally check them out.

2) ITALIAN-INSPIRED HOME DECOR

There’s nothing more Italian than cooking pasta.

Serving freshly cooked spaghetti or gnocchi to your friends and family will make you feel like you’re living in the Tuscany countryside, especially if you create a whole Italian eating experience by gathering everyone around a neatly embellished table.

These gorgeous bowls by Rosanna will make it possible and will also ensure you’ll get lots of compliments!

The best part? There are authentic Italian pasta recipes written on each bowl. Not to mention the hand-lettering… it makes me melt.

CERAMICHE D’ARTE PARRINI (since 1979!)

Is there anything better than handcrafted gifts made by local artisans in Italy?

If you know someone who loves pottery and is just as enamored as we are with Italy, gift them something unique like a piece from the Ceramiche d’Arte Parrini store.

Another great place to shop for ceramics is Ceramica Solimene. These brightly colored ceramics are produced in a factory in Vietri sul Mare (on the Amalfi Coast) so you’re getting the “real deal”.

 ITALIAN FOOD (YUM!)

1) PANDORO & PANETTONE

Christmas without Pandoro and Panettone would be unimaginable in Italy.

Whether you prefer the former (like me!) or the latter, your Christmas table wouldn’t be complete without them.

I bet even Santa would appreciate a slice of Pandoro next to the milk and cookies. Nom nom nom.

2) CIOBAR

You think hot chocolate is delicious?

Wait ‘till you try Italian hot chocolate.

It’s so rich and dense and creamy and just, ugh, SO good.

Oh, and of course it’s even more addictive. Consider yourself warned.

Ciobar is hands down the best brand we have to make it at home.

3) BACI PERUGINA

Baci is Italian for “kisses” — quite the appropriate name since these yummy treats are as sweet as kisses.

Wrapped in a multilingual love note, these delicious chocolates are filled with a succulent heart of gianduia, gloriously crowned with a whole hazelnut and then enrobed in a chocolate shell.

They come in cute little boxes and make great stocking stuffers.

4) POCKET COFFEE

Looking for another fantastic stocking stuffer? Look no further. Pocket Coffee combine dark chocolate with coffee.  What greater gift can you give?

5) GIFT BASKETS

As usual, we save the best for last  — gift baskets for your foodie friends!

I can’t think of a better way to honor the Italian cuisine than with authentic products like olio d’oliva (olive oil), lenticchie (lentils), cantuccini (Tuscan almond biscuits) and more goodies —  all rolled into one!

What’s on your wish list? Let me know in the comments below!

If you enjoyed this guide, please share it and spread the holiday cheer with your fellow Italophiles!

This post includes affiliate links to products I recommend. You can read my full disclosure here.

The post 🎅 The perfect Christmas gift guide for Italy Lovers – Home & Food Edition appeared first on Learn a new language while having fun and exploring the world | Runaway Daydreamer.

Let’s start with the basics.

The word for summer in Italian is “estate”.

Now, I know what you may be thinking – “That’s an English word!”

Well, estate is actually a falso amico – false friend – meaning that it looks and sounds the same as in English but has a different meaning.

Rather than a patch of private land with a property, in Italy the word estate indicates “la stagione estiva”, the summer season.

Summer is the season of colori vivaci (bright colors) and attività all’aria aperta (outdoor activities).

“Le vacanze” are the holidays. The word is plural and feminine and you need it to wish someone happy holidays: “Buone vacanze”!

Where do Italians go for the holidays?

Most of them vanno in vacanza al mare (go on holiday to the seaside) to relax in spiaggia (on the beach) or fare un tuffo nell’acqua (make a splash in the water).

Of course they also enjoy spending time sotto l’ombrellone (under the beach umbrella) so they can prendere il sole (to sunbathe) while they play parole crociate (crosswords) and mangiano frutta fresca (eat fresh fruit).

If you have kids, trips to the seaside mean packing secchiello e paletta (bucket and spade) so you can happily costruire un castello di sabbia (to build a sandcastle) with them.

You may want to include braccioli (water wings) or un salvagente (a lifebuoy) in your valigia (suitcase) just in case the kids want to go for a swim.

Sea’s not everyone’s cup of tea so some Italians may opt for una gita in montagna (a trip to the mountains) or un viaggio all’estero (a trip abroad).

What about those who don’t go anywhere and just stay in town?

Many Italian cities and small villages host local celebrations such as sagre di paese (town festivals) and processioni (processions).

August 15th signals the peak of summer. It’s Ferragosto – Assumption Day – a national holiday in Italy. Offices are closed, as well as some shops and restaurants.

Italians are usually headed to the countryside or nearby beach resorts to cool down and enjoy un po’ di aria fresca (some fresh air).

Italian summer vocabulary

Occhiali da sole– sunglasses

Crema solare – sunscreen

Giornate soleggiate – sunny days

Caldo – hot

Costume da bagno – bathing suit

Spiaggia – beach

Mare – sea

Nuotare – to swim

Prendere il sole – to sunbathe

Ondata di caldo – heatwave

Cool Expressions

You may overhear Italians say the following phrases when the sun is shining and the temperature is rising.

Come picchia il sole! – How the sun beats down!

Un sole che spacca le pietre –- a blazing sun, a sun hot enough to fry an egg

Bello come il sole – beautiful as the sun

Il sole bacia i belli – the sun kisses the beautiful ones

Baciato dal sole – sun-kissed

Si crepa dal caldo –  It’s sweltering

Si bolle – It’s boiling hot

Useful words and phrases for your summer trip to Italy

I have carefully crafted a vocabulary cheat-sheet for you, so don’t forget to grab your copy in printer-friendly PDF format for free!

If you already have access to the Language Library, you can download it directly from there.

You would be doing me a HUGE FAVOR  by sharing this post via Twitter, Facebook, Google +, Instagram or Pinterest.

Ready to brush up on more Italian Vocabulary? 

The post How do you talk about summer in Italian? appeared first on Learn a new language while having fun and exploring the world | Runaway Daydreamer.

‘Mamma’ is often the first word babies utter in Italian.

It’s a simple, two-syllable word, with such a huge meaning.

In fact, “la mamma” is probably the most important figure in the life of Italians, so much so that Italian men are famous all over the world for being “mammoni” – “mama’s boys”.

“La mamma è sempre la mamma.”

That’s our motto: “The Mom is always the Mom”.

Le mamme italiane – Italian mothers – are quite dedicated and are widely known for being nurturing and caring.

In Italian we’d also say that “di mamma, ce n’è una sola” – “there’s just one mother” – meaning that we should be grateful for our one and only mother because she will always be there for us.

In Italy, Mother’s Day – La Festa della Mamma – falls on the second Sunday of May, like in the United States.

Sons and daughters usually present una poesia (a poem)  prepared at school in honor to their mothers. They’ll give it to their mom or recite it out loud in front of the whole family (typically before eating lunch).  

Mothers will also receive flowers and little cards, either bought or handmade.

Greeting cards may be adorned with drawings and messages flush full of adoration, like “Ti voglio tanto bene” (I love you so much) or “Sei la mamma migliore del mondo” (You’re the best mom in the world).

Do you know all about Mother’s Day in Italy?
Click To Tweet

VIVA LA MAMMA!

“Viva la mamma affezionata a quella gonna un po’ lunga…”

Famous Italian singer Edoardo Bennato used to sing these lyrics in the 80’s. His song’s been a hit ever since and it’s perfect to celebrate this day all’Italiana (in Italian style!).

Italian Vocabulary for Mother’s Day

Mamma – mom

Madre – mother

Maternità – motherhood

Figlio – son

Figlia – daughter

Bigliettino di auguri – Greeting card

Regalo – present

Fiori – flowers

Festeggiare – to celebrate

Buona Festa della Mamma – Happy Mother’s Day

Tanti auguri, mamma – Happy Mother’s Day

Ho un regalo per te – I have a present for you

Ti voglio bene, mamma – I love you, mom

How well do you know Italian holidays?

Click below and get a better insight into Italian culture, customs, and traditions.

Oh, don’t forget to test your Italian knowledge by grabbing the exclusive bonuses in our library.

SÌ! I want the Vocabulary Worksheets!

The post Do you know all about Mother’s Day in Italy? appeared first on Learn a new language while having fun and exploring the world | Runaway Daydreamer.

“I Cento Pittori di Via Margutta” (One hundred Painters of Via Margutta) is an unmissable open-air art exhibition that takes place twice a year in Rome.

It features artists from all walks of life and it’s free of charge for everyone.

First, a little throwback for those of you who are not familiar with this event: the tradition began in 1953 when a group of local painters decided to revitalize the street with bright colors in the aftermath of world war two.

Via Margutta has been home to every kind of painter, sculptor, and craftsman ever since.

The beauty of the Cento Pittori exhibit lies in its rich variety: you can gaze on vividly colored watercolors, then turn a corner to see sketches and drawings of all types.

More than 3,000 artworks are usually showcased, making this four-day event a bi-annual gathering for locals and art lovers.

The story behind each piece

What’s really fascinating to me is discovering the behind-the-scenes of each individual piece. This is made possible by the direct, one-on-one contact with the artists. You’re free to chat with them, dig deeper, ask them how a particular painting came to life.

That’s something you don’t experience in big art galleries or museums and it’s so real, so authentic, so meaningful. Sharing laughs, anecdotes, and life experiences in a magical atmosphere such as this one is truly priceless. If you’re lucky, you’ll also have the chance to admire some of the painters “all’opera” (at work) as they create their masterpieces. And perhaps you’ll find yourself mesmerized by the making of a still life painting – just like it happened to me!

Quite honestly, this art exhibition “a cielo aperto” (under the open sky) can only be described to a certain extent. It’s just something you have to witness with your own eyes. Something you need to experience first hand.

In the meantime, do check out the official website to find out more.

>>>>>

Un post condiviso da Runaway Daydreamer (@runawaydaydreamerblog) in data: 3 Mag 2017 alle ore 09:48 PDT

Un post condiviso da Runaway Daydreamer (@runawaydaydreamerblog) in data: 4 Mag 2017 alle ore 13:47 PDT

Un post condiviso da Runaway Daydreamer (@runawaydaydreamerblog) in data: 4 Mag 2017 alle ore 15:11 PDT

The post Art in Rome: Via Margutta and its 100 Painters appeared first on Learn a new language while having fun and exploring the world | Runaway Daydreamer.

This article made me realize just how varied Italian food is even during the Carnival season and inspired me to put together a collection of traditional sweets cooked all around Italy.

Do you want to have an Italian-inspired Carnival meal? Come with me on a tour through Italy’s most delicious Carnival desserts.

CHIACCHIERE

Un post condiviso da Enrico ZeroDx (@enricozerodx) in data: 23 Feb 2017 alle ore 10:32 PST

Chiacchiere are not just a simple dessert. Chiacchiere are everyone’s dessert during Carnevale.  
As soon as the Carnival season kicks-off, you see them everywhere. You eat them everywhere.

These ribbon-like pastries made of dough are deep-fried and then sprinkled with powdered sugar.

The funny thing about chiacchiere is that every region seems to claim them as their own, hence why their name change from region to region.  In Liguria they are known as bugie (lies) and some says it’s because you never tell the truth about how many of them you eat.

In Lombardia they are called lattughe (lettuce), while Tuscans have named them cenci (rags). Romans call them frappe, along with people living in Umbria.

Chiacchiere, bugie, lattughe, cenci, galàni, frappe… it doesn’t really matter how you call them as long as they are on your Carnival menu.

The way chiacchiere are cooked varies slightly from house to house and ingredients are mostly the same: farina (flour), uova (eggs), burro (butter), zucchero (sugar) and olio vegetale (vegetable oil) to fry.

FIACÀ – PIEMONTE

Un post condiviso da Alessina (@alessina_f) in data: 21 Feb 2017 alle ore 10:58 PST

Small and sweet focaccias, also known as “schiacciatine”. Originally from Biella, a town in the Piedmont region.

ZALETI – VENETO

Un post condiviso da Marta Manzoni (@marta9427) in data: 30 Dic 2015 alle ore 07:36 PST

Crunchy yet soft at the same time, zaleti are the perfect on-the-go Carnival treat.

The name “zaleti” is a reference to their yellow color, since zaleti stands for “gialletti” in Venetian dialect, meaning the little yellow ones.

The main characteristic of these corn cookies is their diamond shape.

CASTAGNOLE – MARCHE & LIGURIA

Un post condiviso da Manuela Deorsola (@manuela.cuisine) in data: 23 Feb 2017 alle ore 19:35 PST

Castagnole got their name from their size and shape which resembles a “castagna”, chestnut.

These small, soft balls can be either fried in boiling oil or baked, even though the former is way more common than the latter.

SCHIACCIATA ALLA FIORENTINA – TOSCANA

Un post condiviso da Mario Ragona (@marioragona) in data: 7 Gen 2017 alle ore 23:43 PST

Tuscany contributes to the Carnival season with its own very unique cake. The sweet aroma of vanilla and orange will quickly fill your house once you prepare it.

Remarkable details: the symbol of the city of Florence adorns the top of the cake, dusted with powdered cocoa.

CAUCIUNI – MOLISE

Un post condiviso da Matteo Assunta (@matt.assu) in data: 21 Feb 2017 alle ore 14:27 PST

Not the easiest dessert to pronounce, but definitely an unmissable one.

Here’s what’s behind this fancy name: sweet ravioli filled with chestnuts, almonds, chocolate, vanilla, cooked wine musts, and cinnamon. Heaven, right?

ZEPPOLE DI SAN GIUSEPPE – CAMPANIA

Un post condiviso da Rosanella Taddeo (@rosanellataddeo) in data: 19 Feb 2017 alle ore 02:27 PST

Zeppole are mostly cooked (or fried) in the kitchens of  Southern Italians. Filled with thick cream, they can be topped off with cherry syrup, jam, or chocolate.
Even though zeppole were originally a Carnival-only tradition, nowadays they’re being served year-round.

PRUPATE – PUGLIA

Un post condiviso da cristina mosca (@kribbymoscart) in data: 30 Dic 2016 alle ore 08:00 PST

Prupate look like wedding rings because they used to be served at weddings. Each guest would usually receive a couple of them during the ceremony. The reason? Apparently, prupate would bring good luck to the newlyweds as they were believed to be the symbol of a long life together.

And they lived happily ever after… munching on prupate! Sounds good to me.

TARALLI AL NASPRO – BASILICATA

Un post condiviso da Amelia Leucci (@amelia3071) in data: 1 Mag 2016 alle ore 10:31 PDT

Unlike the majority of Carnival sweets, which are fried, in the Basilicata area people bake in the oven these sweet taralli al nastro.

These taralli, covered with icing sugar and lemon, are sure to steal your heart.

CASSATINE DI CARNEVALE CLASSICHE – SICILIA

 

Un post condiviso da Letizia (@lenty_ma) in data: 1 Gen 2017 alle ore 02:39 PST

You already know about ‘cassata’, right? You’re seriously missing out if you don’t! Cassata, made with sweet ricotta and almond paste, is arguably the most famous sweet of Sicily.

Cassatine are just a mini-version of it. Delicious little cakes moistened with fruit juices or liqueur. You are drooling. I see you.

CATTAS or ZIPPULAS – SARDEGNA

Un post condiviso da RobertoMurgia-Dolci in corso (@roberto_murgia) in data: 26 Gen 2017 alle ore 01:00 PST

Time to move to the lower part of the Italian “boot”.
Sardinians savor the so-called cattas (or zippulas) during this time of the year. These spiral-shaped fritters are flavoured with wonderful aromas, such as orange zest, saffron or mandarin.

That’s a wrap! We’ve come to the end of our tour. Did you enjoy it? Don’t hesitate to let me know! Tweet me @runawaydaydream or leave a comment below.

I’ve created a neat map of the sweets covered in this article. Grab it and spread it like Nutella. Share it with your foodie friends, Italy lovers, Carnevale freaks.

Italian Carnevale Desserts

Share this Cool Infographic On Your Site!

</p><br /><br /><br /> <p><strong>Please include attribution to http://runawaydaydreamer.com/ with this graphic.</strong></p><br /><br /><br /> <p><a href=’http://runawaydaydreamer.com/carnevale-desserts-italy/’><img src=’http://runawaydaydreamer.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Carnevale-Desserts.png’ alt=’Italian Carnevale Desserts’ width=’700px’ border=’0′ /></a></p><br /><br /><br /> <p>

Credits: giallozafferano, dissapore, instagram.

The post Specialità di Carnevale: Carnival Specialities from Different Regions of Italy appeared first on Learn a new language while having fun and exploring the world | Runaway Daydreamer.

Confetti? Check! Crazy and colorful costumes? Check! A playful attitude? Double check! We’re all set and ready. It’s time to celebrate. It’s Carnival time!

Let’s step back in time for a minute and see how it all got started, shall we?

Ancient Roots | How did the Carnevale tradition begin? 

The Carnival celebrations are linked to pagan practices from ancient Greece and Rome and they can be traced back to the Middle-Ages. It started as a festival held in mid-December to honor the god Saturn with feasting, gift-giving and role reversal.

The name “Carnevale” comes from the Latin phrase “carnem levāre”: carnem stands for meat and levare means “to take away or remove”.

Hence, Carnevale can be translated as “to put away meat”. Indeed, meat was forbidden during Lent (La Quaresima) – the period of prayer, fasting, and abstinence that comes straight after the festival – so Carnevale was kind of a last chance to indulge the passions of the flesh.

During Carnevale, you could let go and party with reckless abandon and freedom.

How do Italians celebrate Carnevale today?

Fast forward today – how do Italians celebrate Carnevale?

Carnevale is still a huge celebration that goes on for two weeks or so.

Children usually dress up as their favorite supereroi (superheroes) or personaggi dei cartoni animati (cartoon characters). Mischief and pranks are so popular that the common saying in Italy is: “A Carnevale ogni scherzo vale!” (At Carnevale, anything goes!)

A Carnevale ogni scherzo vale! – At Carnevale, anything goes!
Click To Tweet

Italians do Carnevale parades like no one else. For real.

Have you ever heard of “Il Carnevale di Venezia”? I bet you have! There’s nothing quite like it.  

We’re talking about a whole season of masquerade. It boasts parades, costume balls, entertainment, music, and it’s the perfect occasion to dress up and have fun in a very unique atmosphere.

Some of the highlights are:

• “La maschera più bella” (Best Mask Contest), selected by international experts
• “Il Volo dell’Angelo” (The flight of the angel) – Click to see the video, you’d better not miss it!
• Gondola and boat parades along the Grand Canal
• Mask parades in Piazza San Marco (St. Mark’s Square)
• Children’s events in the Cannaregio district
• Grand finale with fireworks

Vocabolario di Carnevale / Italian Carnevale Vocabulary

— Le maschere – The masks

— I festeggiamenti – Festivities

— La sfilata di Carnevale – Carnival Parade

— Travestirsi per Carnevale – to dress up for Carnival

— Le tradizioni di Carnevale – Carnival traditions

— I costumi – Costumes

— I coriandoli – Confetti

— Le stelle filanti – Streamers

— Carri mascherati – Carnival floats

— Ballo in maschera – Costume ball

—  Scherzi – Pranks

— Martedì grasso – Fat Tuesday

— Divertirsi – to have fun

— Strade affollate – Crowded streets

 Useful Carnevale phrases

— A Carnevale ogni scherzo vale! – At Carnevale, anything goes!

— Festeggi il Carnevale? – Do you celebrate Carnival?

— Cosa fai a Carnevale? – What do you do for Carnival?

— Vuoi venire a vedere la sfilata? – Do you want to go see the parade?

— Mi piace molto il tuo costume! – I really like your costume!

Ready for more language goodness? 

Image is considered a great association for language acquisition, that’s why I’m sharing Carnival-themed animated gifs and pictures to teach you new Italian words. One image per day. Fun, colorful and useful!
Hop on over to our Instagram and Facebook page to follow along.

Let’s do this!

Put your mask on: It’s Carnevale! [+ Free Vocabulary]
Click To Tweet

photo credit: @ fra_cas

The post Put your mask on: It’s Carnevale! [+ Free Vocabulary] appeared first on Learn a new language while having fun and exploring the world | Runaway Daydreamer.

It’s Valentine’s day and there’s no better language than Italian to express love, passion, and romance.

It doesn’t matter who you are, you will steal the heart of anybody by whispering some Italian paroline dolci (sweet nothings) in their ear.

From the ever-charming “ti amo” (I love you) to the luscious “amore mio” (my love), I dare you not to succumb to the musicality of this language.  

Even the most passionate storia d’amore (love-story) of all times, Romeo and Giulietta, has an Italian vibe since it’s set in Verona.

Need I say more?

Over the last couple of weeks, I have been sharing love-related Italian words and phrases over Instagram and Facebook. A countdown to Valentine’s Day, one that combines love and education.

Want to impress your valentine? Read on and try to memorize the following vocabulary and romantic expressions.

Day 1: Il bacio

Un post condiviso da Runaway Daydreamer (@runawaydaydreamerblog) in data: 1 Feb 2017 alle ore 03:08 PST

Dammi un bacio! (Give me a kiss!)

Baciare (to kiss)

Non smettere mai di baciarmi (Never stop kissing me)

Baciamoci e abbracciamoci per ore (Let’s kiss and cuddle for hours)

Non posso vivere senza i tuoi baci (I can’t live without your kisses)

Day 2: Sei il mio mondo

Un post condiviso da Runaway Daydreamer (@runawaydaydreamerblog) in data: 2 Feb 2017 alle ore 10:03 PST

 Sei il mio mondo. You are my world.

Day 3: Il mio cuore batte solo per te

Un post condiviso da Runaway Daydreamer (@runawaydaydreamerblog) in data: 3 Feb 2017 alle ore 00:53 PST

Il mio cuore batte solo per te. My heart beats only for you.

Il mio cuore ti appartiene (My heart belongs to you)

Mi fai battere forte il cuore (You make my heart beat faster)

Il mio cuore è tuo (My heart is yours)

Mi hai rubato il cuore. (You stole my heart)

Day 4: Lettera d’amore

Un post condiviso da Runaway Daydreamer (@runawaydaydreamerblog) in data: 4 Feb 2017 alle ore 04:02 PST

Lettera d’amore. Love letter.

Mi ha scritto una lettera d’amore (He wrote me a love letter)

Vorrei che qualcuno mi mandasse lettere d’amore scritte a mano (I wish somebody would send me handwritten love letters)

Scrivere una lettera d’amore è il miglior modo per esprimere ciò che provi (Writing a love letter is the best way to express how you feel)

Gli scriverò una lettera d’amore per San Valentino (I will write him a love letter for Valentine’s Day)

Day 5: Rose rosse

Un post condiviso da Runaway Daydreamer (@runawaydaydreamerblog) in data: 5 Feb 2017 alle ore 07:55 PST

Rose rosse. Red roses.

Questo mazzo di rose rosse è il mio regalo per te (This bouquet of red roses is my gift to you)

Le ho dato un mazzo di rose rosse per San Valentino (I gave her a bouquet of red roses for Valentine’s Day)

Rose rosse per te, tesoro (Red roses for you, sweetheart)

Day 6: Anime gemelle

Un post condiviso da Runaway Daydreamer (@runawaydaydreamerblog) in data: 6 Feb 2017 alle ore 08:12 PST

Anime gemelle. Soul mates.

Sono la persona più fortunata del mondo. Ho sposato la mia anima gemella (I’m the luckiest person in the whole world. I married my soul mate!)

Francesco e Marta sono perfetti l’uno per l’altra. Sono anime gemelle (Francesco and Marta are perfect for each other. They are soul mates)

Sono single. Sto ancora aspettando la mia anima gemella (I’m single. I’m still waiting for my soul mate)

Day 7: La mia dolce metà

Un post condiviso da Runaway Daydreamer (@runawaydaydreamerblog) in data: 7 Feb 2017 alle ore 08:08 PST

La mia dolce metà. My better half.

Trascorrerò le vacanze con la mia dolce metà. Non potrei essere più felice (I’ll spend the holidays with my better half. I couldn’t be happier)

Stasera la mia dolce metà torna a casa. Non vedo l’ora! (Tonight my better half comes back home. I can’t wait!)

Sei la mia dolce metà. Significhi tutto per me (You’re my better half. You mean the world to me)

Day 8: Piccioncini

Un post condiviso da Runaway Daydreamer (@runawaydaydreamerblog) in data: 8 Feb 2017 alle ore 08:46 PST

Piccioncini. Love birds.

Guarda quei due piccioncini! (Look at those two love birds!)

Lasciamo i due piccioncini da soli. Sono così innamorati (Let’s leave these two love birds alone. They’re so in love)

Federico e Laura hanno negato la loro relazione, ma sembrano due piccioncini (Federico and Laura denied their relationship, but they look like two love birds)

Day 9: Occhi a cuore

Un post condiviso da Runaway Daydreamer (@runawaydaydreamerblog) in data: 9 Feb 2017 alle ore 10:57 PST

Occhi a cuoricino. Heart eyes.

*Cuoricino literally means “little heart”, but you can also say “occhi a cuore.”

Lei ti piace e non puoi negarlo. Hai gli occhi a cuoricino (You like her and you can’t deny it. You’ve got heart eyes)

Hai una cotta per Alberto? Lo stavi guardando con gli occhi a cuoricino

(Do you have a crush on Alberto? You were looking at him with heart eyes)

Gli occhi a cuore non mentono (Heart eyes don’t lie)

Day 10: Cenetta romantica

Un post condiviso da Runaway Daydreamer (@runawaydaydreamerblog) in data: 10 Feb 2017 alle ore 11:02 PST

Cenetta romantica. Romantic dinner.

Venerdì ho appuntamento con Davide per una cenetta romantica (I have a romantic dinner with Davide on Friday)

Vorrei che andassimo a fare una cenetta romantica il giorno di San Valentino (I wish we could go out for a romantic dinner on Valentine’s Day)

Non possiamo andare al cinema stasera. Ho promesso a Maria di portarla fuori per una cenetta romantica (We can’t go to the movies tonight. I promised Maria I’d take her out to a romantic dinner)

Day 11: Io e te

Un post condiviso da Runaway Daydreamer (@runawaydaydreamerblog) in data: 11 Feb 2017 alle ore 15:34 PST

Io e te. Per sempre. Me and you. Forever.

Day 12: Mi fai arrossire

Un post condiviso da Runaway Daydreamer (@runawaydaydreamerblog) in data: 12 Feb 2017 alle ore 10:08 PST

Mi fai arrossire. You make me blush.

Smettila. Non guardarmi in quel modo. Mi stai facendo arrossire! (Stop it. Don’t look at me like that. You’re making me blush!)

Lui ti piace! Stai arrossendo! (You like him! You’re blushing!)

Oh no, non farmi arrossire! (Oh no, don’t make me blush!)

Day 13: Mi sento a casa con te

Un post condiviso da Runaway Daydreamer (@runawaydaydreamerblog) in data: 13 Feb 2017 alle ore 09:18 PST

Mi sento a casa con te. I feel at home with you.

Ti amo. Mi fai sentire a casa (I love you. You make me feel at home)

Non importa dove andiamo, quando sono con te mi sento a casa ( It doesn’t matter where we go, when I am with you I’m home)

La mia casa è ovunque tu sia (Home is wherever I’m with you)

Day 14: Buon San Valentino!

Un post condiviso da Runaway Daydreamer (@runawaydaydreamerblog) in data: 14 Feb 2017 alle ore 01:23 PST

Buon San Valentino. Happy Valentine’s Day.

 San Valentino si festeggia il 14 febbraio (Valentine’s Day is celebrated on February 14)

 Ogni anno gli innamorati si scambiano piccoli doni, bigliettini e dolcetti il 14 febbraio (Each year on February 14th, lovers exchange small gifts, cards, and sweets)

Don’t forget to spread the love by sharing this article with someone you care about.

Buon San Valentino! Valentine’s day in the Italian language
Click To Tweet

The post Buon San Valentino! Valentine’s day in the Italian language appeared first on Learn a new language while having fun and exploring the world | Runaway Daydreamer.

Christmas may be the most important festivity in Italy, but Easter is a close second.
Many cities and villages host religious parades and celebrations – also known as “processioni” – during which a statue of Jesus or the Virgin Mary gets carried through the streets.

The Sunday that precedes Easter – called “domenica delle palme” – represents a special moment for Italian Catholics: the Mass lasts longer and olive tree branches blessed by the priest are distributed in churches as a peace symbol.

In Rome the Pope takes over St. Peter’s Square to greet people from all over the world.
Easter Monday is a public holiday called “Pasquetta” and most shops are closed. The usual custom is to go out—whether is a picnic with friends or a trip to the countryside, outdoor activities are a must on Pasquetta.

Traditional Easter Italian dishes

Each region celebrates “la Pasqua” in its own way but some dishes make the list of almost every household’s Easter meal.
Families enjoy a lunch based on roast lamb – or agnello al forno – served with wine and followed by various desserts. The most popular one is the “Colomba di Pasqua”, a traditional cake shaped like a dove and made with candied peel and almonds.
Children wait impatiently to open their “uovo di cioccolato” (chocolate egg) which usually comes with a surprise in the middle – may it be a small peluche, a toy or a little jewel.
There are no Easter egg hunts in Italy but Italians take packaging very seriously and all the shop windows display their flamboyantly packaged eggs.

Easter sweets also include the “Pastiera”, a ricotta-filled Easter pie (from Naples) and the “Cassata” (from Sicily) made with sponge cake, ricotta cheese, marzipan and candied fruit.
The name “cassata” probably comes from the Arabic حوض (qas’at), which means bowl, even if some sources believe that it derives from the Latin word “caseus” (cheese) since it’s one of its main ingredients.

Italian sayings

• “Natale con i tuoi, Pasqua con chi vuoi!”

Meaning: “Christmas with your family, Easter with whomever you want!”
You can spend Easter with anyone you like – your friends or even acquaintances – as long as you stay at home with parents and relatives at Christmas.

• “Felice come una Pasqua”

Meaning: There’s a similar expression in English: “Happy as a Clam!” but it could also be translated with «(as) happy as the day is long/as a sandboy/as Larry».
In any case, it means that someone is extremely happy!

Italian Easter Vocabulary

Pasqua / Easter
Pasquetta / Easter Monday
Buona Pasqua / Happy Easter
Settimana santa / Holy week
Venerdì santo / Holy Friday
Domenica delle palme / Palm Sunday
Vacanze di Pasqua / Easter holidays
Festeggiare / To celebrate
Chiesa / Church
Agnello / Lamb
Coniglio / Rabbit
Cioccolato / Chocolate
Cioccolato fondente, bianco, al latte / Dark, white and milk chocolate
Colomba di Pasqua / Easter dove

– Che cosa fai a Pasqua? What do you do at Easter?
– Andiamo a mangiare un po’ di cioccolata! Let’s go eat some chocolate!
– Trascorrerò Pasqua in famiglia. I’ll spend Easter with my family.

Further Reading:
Buona Pasqua! Dammi un Bacio! on Studentessa Matta

Pictures by Lindt and Perugina official websites

Easter in Italy – Buona Pasqua! ‪#learnitalian ‎#italianculture
Click To Tweet

The post Italian Easter Vocabulary, Phrases and Traditions appeared first on Learn a new language while having fun and exploring the world | Runaway Daydreamer.

In Italian, “primavera” is the word to describe the beautiful season of spring.

It can be traced back to the Latin roots “primus”, meaning first, and “ver”, meaning spring.

In Italy, as in many other countries, is common tradition to do some “pulizie di primavera” – or spring cleaning – during this time of the year.

Feeling inspired by my own spring cleaning, I have decided to collect into this post a handful of Italian words, expressions and proverbs that will have you ready to jump into “la bella stagione”.

Spring related vocabulary in Italian

I fiori – flowers
Le api – bees
Le farfalle – butterflies
Gli alberi fioriti – blossoming trees
L’arcobaleno – rainbow
Le giornate più lunghe – longer days
Gli abiti primaverili – spring-like dresses
I profumi deliziosi – delicious smells
I fiori di ciliegio – cherry blossom

Soleggiato – sunny
Nuvoloso – cloudy
Fiorire or sbocciare – to bloom

I bambini giocano all’aria aperta – Children play outdoors.
Gli uccelli cinguettano – Birds chirp.
La primavera è la stagione dell’amore – Spring is the season of love.

Italian Sayings

• “Aprile, dolce dormire”

Meaning: It can be literally translated as in “April sweet sleep” and it means that in April one sleeps soundly.

As the weather changes and the temperatures become warmer, the appeal of “il dolce far niente” (the sweetness of doing nothing) increases.

• “Aprile, ogni goccia un barile”

It is related to April weather which is often unpredictable and rainy.

Meaning: “April, every raindrop, a barrel (of wine)”.
According to this proverb, every drop of water from the sky will turn into a drop of wine in your barrel during the month of April. Pretty optimistic!

• “Una rondine non fa primavera”

Meaning: You may have heard English speakers affirm that “One swallow does not make a summer” or Spanish people say “Una golondrina no hace verano”.

This proverb is popular even among Italians except that spring is used instead of summer, “Una rondine non fa primavera”.
Same goes for French folks that use the phrase “Une hirondelle ne fait pas le printemps” to indicate that one sighting of an event does not indicate a trend. Even if swallows return for spring (or summer!), seeing just one swallow does not mean that spring is on its way.

The post Essential Italian Spring Vocabulary Words and Expressions (+ Proverbs) appeared first on Learn a new language while having fun and exploring the world | Runaway Daydreamer.