One of the best parts about traveling to a foreign place is immersing yourself in an unknown culture. From new foods to sacred traditions, you can expand your mind by leaning into the differences and embracing life as a local.
If you’re planning a visit to Italy, there’s no better way to acclimate than by speaking the language. It can help you navigate interaction more easily and even earn you some new Italian friends along the way.
These classic idioms won’t just help you integrate into Italian culture– they’ll also provide insight into long-held Italian values and beliefs. From emphasizing the importance of living life to the fullest, to acknowledging life’s ironies with humor, these 30 essential Italian phrases cover it all.
6 Wise Italian Proverbs
- “Tra moglie e marito non mettere il dito.” (Between husband and wife, don’t put your finger.) Never meddle in someone else’s relationship.
- “Chi va piano, va sano e va lontano.” (Who goes slowly, goes safely and goes far.)
It’s wise to take your time and not rush through life. - “L’appetito vien mangiando.” (Appetite comes from eating.) The more you eat, the hungrier you become – a really relatable one for the Italian food lovers.
- “Chi dorme non piglia pesci.” (He who sleeps doesn’t catch fish.) You have to work hard and make an effort to achieve your goals.
- “Meglio un uovo oggi che una gallina domani.” (Better an egg today than a chicken tomorrow.) It’s better to take what you have now instead of risking it for a hypothetical bigger future reward.
- “Piove sul bagnato.” (It rains on the wet.) When things are already going poorly, even more misfortune piles on. The ultimate “When it rains, it pours” sentiment.
Fun & Eccentric Italian Sayings
- “Non tutti i matti portano le campane.” (Not all mad people wear bells.) Similar to “Still waters run deep” – you can’t judge a book by its cover. The calm, quiet ones are sometimes the most eccentric.
- “Gallina vecchia fa buon brodo.” (An old hen makes good broth.) With age and experience comes wisdom.
- “La gatta frettolosa ha fatto i gattini ciechi.” (The hurried cat gave birth to blind kittens.) Patience and diligence are required for a flawless result. A rushed job will always show its flaws.
- “Senti che puzzo, c’è un forestiero in città.” (What’s that stink, there must be a foreigner in town.) A cheeky way of calling out someone who is clearly a tourist and sticks out like a sore thumb. Use it ironically as a self-deprecating joke!
- “Prendersi un granchio.” (To take a crab.) To make a big mistake or blunder.
5 Everyday Italian Expressions
- “Un caffe?” (A coffee?) This one is easy – throughout Italy, this is an extremely common way to cheerfully offer someone a coffee. The sheer frequency you’ll hear this simple phrase screams Italian culture.
- “Stai buono!” (Stay good!) Parents lovingly say this to children when asking them to behave or listen closely. It’s like the Italian version of “Be good!”
- “Cos’hai da guardare?” (What are you looking at?) A very common, sassy way to playfully call someone out for curiously people-watching or staring at you.
- “Non me ne frega niente.” (I don’t care at all.) The perfect carefree brush-off to insignificant things that don’t matter. Hardcore indifference!
- “Che schifo!” (How disgusting!) A dramatic exclamation for emphasizing your disgust over something unpleasant.
Expressive Italian Gestures
Italians are known for their lively, dramatic hand gestures and body language that add emphasis to their words. Here are a few common ones to throw into your conversations:
- “Ma vafan….” (Holding up flat hand, twisting it back and forth rapidly) Essentially the equivalent of an eye roll or flipping someone off out of annoyance or dismissal.
- Finger purse (Pursing lips together and holding fingers in front of mouth) An adorable gesture done by Italians young and old to call someone’s attention in a cute, catchy way.
- “Che vuoi?” (Shoulders shrugging in exasperated motion with palms facing upward) A constant motion akin to “What do you want?” or “Well, what is it?”
Endearing Terms in Italian
You’ll often hear Italians frequently using affectionate, evocative terminology with friends, family, and even casual acquaintances:
- “Ciao bello/bella.” (Hello beautiful one.) A classic greeting for guys/girls you’ve got your eye on!
- “Amore mio.” (My love.) A term of endearment akin to “My dear” or “My darling.”
- “Buon’anima.” (Good soul.) An affectionate phrase to call someone a kind, good-hearted person.
- “Zio/a.” (Uncle/Aunt.) A respectful way to refer to someone quite a bit older than you, even if you’re not directly related.
4 Italian One-Liners
- “Semo gente, o semo fave?” (Are we people, or are we beans?) A silly rhetorical question to point out the absurdity of a situation.
- “Sei caldo?” (Are you hot?) On the surface, a simple question – but Italians often teasingly use it to call someone attractive.
- “La miglior luna, quella senz’un baiocco.” (The best moon is the one without a cent.) An ironic lament about being broke – but at least you have the free moon to enjoy!
- “Io ti faccio vedere che differenza c’è tra un cacio e un fungo!” (I’ll show you the difference between cheese and mushrooms!) A humorous old-school threat meaning “I’ll show you who’s boss.” It stems from the belief that you shouldn’t confuse two completely different things.
Unique Italian Wisdom
- “Il dubbio è l’anticamera della scoperta.” (Doubt is the anteroom of discovery.) Embracing doubt and uncertainty opens your mind to new learnings.
- “Chi lascia la via vecchia per la nuova, sa quel che lascia, ma non sa quel che trova.” (Those who take a new road know what they are leaving behind, but not what lies ahead.) An acknowledgment that change involves risk, but also opportunity.
- “Il tempo è pericolosamente prezioso.” (Time is dangerously precious.) A deep reminder not to waste a single moment in life – time is a rare, irreplaceable gift.
Happy Travels!
Even if you’ve got a bit of an accent or find trouble pronouncing some of the words, it’s the effort you put into honoring a new culture will make you honorary Italian. By doing your best to use these playful sayings and classic expressions, you’ll connect more authentically with locals, immerse yourself deeper in the Italian experience, and add some extra delight to your everyday conversations.
