Category Archives: Uncategorized

“Alla fiera dell’est”

Italian Music –Musica italiana–

The Italian song “Alla fiera dell’est” (At the Eastern Fair) is a bit reminiscent of the kids’ song “The Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly”. Both songs feature a repetitive tale that recounts a growing string of events that all … Continue reading →

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Italian Saying:

Il detto della settimana:

“Far venire il latte ai gomiti”

Salve bellissimi! . The last two proverbs have been encouraging and inspirational, so this week it’s time for a little humor. . This week’s Italian saying in its ‘raw’ or unconjugated form is “fare venire il latte ai gomiti.” . … Continue reading →

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La pioggia:

Italian Vocabulary:

Il vocabolario del venerdì

You may have noticed a slight twist to this week’s Venerdì blog post… instead of  I Verbi del Venerdì (Verbs of Friday), this week it’s  Il Vocabolario del Venerdì.  Vocabolario can be defined as a glossario (glossary) or elenco di … Continue reading →

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Italian Proverb:

Il Detto della settimana:

“A goccia a goccia si scava la roccia.”

Ecco il detto di questa settimana:  {Here’s this week’s saying.} . “A goccia a goccia si scava la roccia.” . Listen to pronunciation: . Translation: Drop by drop, rock is eroded. . Spiegazione (Explanation, a translation follows): Questo detto italiano … Continue reading →

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Italian Verbs:

I verbi del venerdì:

Autunno

L’autunno è arrivato!  Che bello!  (Autumn has arrived! How nice!) . Here, a few autumn-inspired verbs for this installment of I Verbi del Venerdì (The Verbs of Friday). . Rastrellare ▪ Accorciare ▪ Riscaldare ▪ Ammirare ▪ Festeggiare ▪ Progettare … Continue reading →

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Italian Music:

Musica del mercoledì:

“Santa Lucia”

Since this week started out with la Festa di San Gennaro (The Feast & Celebration of Saint Gennaro), patron saint of Napoli aka Naples, what better song for this installment of Musica del Mercoledì (Music Wednesday) than the traditional canzone … Continue reading →

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Italian Proverb:

Il Detto della domenica:

“Chi dorme non piglia pesci.”

Proverbs, sayings, and idiomatic expressions are a rich way to learn new words and gain insight into the colloquial side of a language. Italian, like other languages, has a wealth of these enlightening expressions — some wise and others witty. … Continue reading →

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Italian Music: Concerto di Jovanotti: Una tribu’ che balla

Jovanotti — che è uno dei miei cantautori italiani preferiti  — è stato recentemente a San Francisco  ed ho avuto la buonissima fortuna di essere tra le migliaia di persone che c’erano al concerto. (Jovanotti, one of my favorite Italian … Continue reading →

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Ferragosto: Midsummer Italian Holiday

Just what is this thing called Ferragosto? Originally Ferragosto was linked to a celebration of the middle of summer, agricultural activity, and cycles of nature. The holiday was celebrated in the Roman Empire to honor the gods—in particular Diana—and the … Continue reading →

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Italian Verbs: I verbi del venerdi’ 8.6.10

Buon giorno! . It’s Friday, and it’s time for some more Italian verbs in this recently born post series that I’ve named I verbi del venerdi’ (The Verbs of Friday). . Ecco una mini-lezione basata su otto verbi. (Here’s a … Continue reading →

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