10 popular Italian phrases to sound like an authentic Italian!
Italians are famous for their expressiveness in everything they do. It involves gestures when they speak, the food they prepare, their art, and, of course, the language they speak.
Here are ten popular Italian phrases that exemplify that expressiveness. Picture yourself using them in everyday situations with your friends or family. Mamma mia! You’re becoming an authentic Italian!
1. In bocca al lupo
Italians often say this to wish someone good luck, especially before an exam or a significant event. The literal translation is “to be in the wolf’s mouth.” The most common response is “Crepi” or “Crepi il lupo,” which, in this sense, means “thank you.”
2. Hai voluto la bicicletta? E adesso pedala!
A sarcastic Italian expression that means: “You wanted the bike? Well, now you have to pedal it”. It’s something like the expression “I told you so.”
3. Acqua in bocca!
Italians use the expression to ask someone to keep a secret. In Italian, you say, “to keep water in the mouth” when you don’t want somebody to reveal a confidential matter.
4. Non vedo l’ora!
The expression translates to “I don’t see the time.” When Italians say “Non vedo l’ora,” they mean they are excited about something. At that moment, time is of no importance. They only want to do that thing they are waiting for. They want time to fly by to do it soon!
5. Essere in gamba
In Italy, if you want to tell someone, “You are super smart“ or “You know a lot,” you would say: “Essere in gamba,” which means “to be in the leg.” Although it doesn’t translate well, it’s enough to know that if something is “in the leg,” it’s a good thing.
6. Prendere due piccioni con una fava
It literally would be “to kill two birds with one stone.” And what does it mean? In plain words, we accomplished two things with one action.
7. Non mi va
This expression translates as “It doesn’t suit me.” A broad interpretation would read: “I don’t feel like it” or “I don’t want it.” You will also hear this Italian phrase when somebody disagrees with something.
8. Essere in alto mare
“To be at high sea” means that you still have a long way to go to finish a task or action. You will hear this phrase when someone is dragging their feet on a project they should finish. For example, in the illustration below, Clara’s boss tells her: “Sei in alto mare!” because she has been wasting time and has not finished her assignment.
9. Non avere peli sulla lingua
It translates as “not having hair on the tongue.” It is a weird expression, I know. It means that a person does not mince words. Or that someone is straightforward and says what they think without beating around the bush. Italians are very open and not afraid to speak their minds. So this Italian phrase applies to them!
10. Mangia bene, ridi spesso, ama molto
And finally, we end with a saying that you will hear more than any other in Italy. It means “Eat well, laugh often, love much.”
Would you like to continue learning Italian?
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