my italian - learn italian online for free http://www.my-italian.com learn the Italian language with Italian culture Mon, 18 Jan 2010 22:01:04 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 en The parts of the human body in italian http://www.my-italian.com/2010/01/18/the-parts-of-the-human-body-in-italian/ http://www.my-italian.com/2010/01/18/the-parts-of-the-human-body-in-italian/#comments Mon, 18 Jan 2010 22:01:04 +0000 admin http://www.my-italian.com/?p=566 One thing that strikes most British or American visitors to Italy is how in forma (well-toned) the Italians are. Whether this is down to the famous Mediterranean diet or the fact that most Italians put in several hours at la palestra (the gym) each week is unclear, but if you walk the streets of Milan with un paio di chili di troppo (a few extra pounds) you may notice a few disapproving stares.

Here is a diagram with a list of le parti del corpo (the parts of the body) in Italian:

Pay attention to the irregular plurals of hand - la mano, le mani, and toe - il dito, le dita.

Remember also not to use possessive adjectives (my, your, his etc) when referring to parts of the body - Italians just use the article, eg: ho piegato il ginocchio (I bent the knee), ho aperto gli occhi (I opened the eyes)

]]> http://www.my-italian.com/2010/01/18/the-parts-of-the-human-body-in-italian/feed/ Learn how to express the impersonal ‘you’ in Italian http://www.my-italian.com/2009/02/17/learn-how-to-express-the-impersonal-you-in-italian/ http://www.my-italian.com/2009/02/17/learn-how-to-express-the-impersonal-you-in-italian/#comments Tue, 17 Feb 2009 10:37:40 +0000 admin http://www.my-italian.com/?p=465 The impersonal ‘you’ is used in English when not directly referring to the person or people in front of you, but people in general - eg ‘How do you get to the centre?’ or ‘You buy bread at the baker’s’.

In Italian ‘you’ express this idea using the pronoun ’si’ and the third person singular form of the verb, for example:

si fa cosi’ (you do it like this)
non si puo’ fumare qui (you can’t smoke here)
di solito si dorme la notte (you usually sleep at night)

]]> http://www.my-italian.com/2009/02/17/learn-how-to-express-the-impersonal-you-in-italian/feed/ Spruce up Valentine’s Day with a message in Italian http://www.my-italian.com/2009/02/13/spruce-up-valentines-day-with-a-message-in-italian/ http://www.my-italian.com/2009/02/13/spruce-up-valentines-day-with-a-message-in-italian/#comments Fri, 13 Feb 2009 13:22:58 +0000 admin http://www.my-italian.com/?p=552 Il giorno di San Valentino (Valentine’s Day), like pretty much everywhere else, is having a roaring success in Italy. The romantic (and, some would say, cheesy) nature of Italians makes for big business at this time of the year. Although people tend not to keep their identity a secret, bigliettini (cards) are popular along with regali (gifts) of cioccolatini (chocolates), fiori (flowers) or gioielli (jewellry). Men will feel they have to take their partners out for una cena a lume di candela (a candlelit dinner) and the ladies will almost certainly be shopping for new lingerie!

Here are some frasi d’amore (phrases of love) you may hear between couples on this romantic day:

Ti amo e spero di passare il resto della vita con te!
Sei tutto il mio cuore!
Hai rubato il mio cuore
Il mio amore è infinito, ti amerò per sempre!
La mia vita senza te sarebbe vuota come un cielo senza stelle, come un mare senza acqua!
In un cielo pieno di stelle, tu sei la più bella.
Il mio cuore si accende d’amore per te!
Non ti lascierò mai!
Sono follemente innamorata di te
Buon San Valentino!
I love you and hope to spend the rest of my life with you!
You are all my heart!
You have stolen my heart
My love is infinite, I will love you for ever!
My life without you would be as empty as a sky without stars, as the sea without water!
In a sky full of stars, you are the most beautiful!
My heart lights up with love for you!
I will never leave you!
I’m madly in love with you!
Happy Valentine’s day!
]]> http://www.my-italian.com/2009/02/13/spruce-up-valentines-day-with-a-message-in-italian/feed/ Learn about star signs in Italian http://www.my-italian.com/2009/02/06/learn-about-star-signs-in-italian/ http://www.my-italian.com/2009/02/06/learn-about-star-signs-in-italian/#comments Fri, 06 Feb 2009 11:35:57 +0000 admin http://www.my-italian.com/?p=522 Italians are just as mad about oroscopi (horoscopes) as everyone else. Here are the segni zodiacali (star signs) in Italian:

]]> http://www.my-italian.com/2009/02/06/learn-about-star-signs-in-italian/feed/ Learn about Italy’s ‘Blackbird days’ http://www.my-italian.com/2009/01/26/learn-about-italys-blackbird-days/ http://www.my-italian.com/2009/01/26/learn-about-italys-blackbird-days/#comments Mon, 26 Jan 2009 16:54:55 +0000 admin http://www.my-italian.com/?p=527 I giorni della merla (literally, the days of the blackbird) refer to the last three days of January (29th - 31st) which are said to be i piu freddi (the coldest) of l’inverno (the winter).

This expression comes complete with una legenda, passed down from nonni (grandparents) to nipotini (grandkids), explaining both why these days are so cold, and why the blackbird is so named.

C’era una volta una merla, con uno splendido candido piumaggio, regolarmente strapazzata da Gennaio, mese freddo e ombroso, che si divertiva ad aspettare che la merla uscisse dal nido in cerca di cibo, per gettare sulla terra freddo e gelo.
Stanca delle continue persecuzioni la merla un anno decise di fare provviste sufficienti per un mese, e si rinchiuse nella sua tana, al riparo, per tutto il mese di Gennaio, che allora aveva solo 28 giorni.
L’ultimo giorno del mese, la merla pensando di aver ingannato il cattivo Gennaio, uscì dal nascondiglio e si mise a cantare per sbeffeggiarlo.
Gennaio si risentì talmente tanto che chiese in prestito tre giorni a Febbraio e si scatenò con bufere di neve, vento, gelo, pioggia.
La merla si rifugiò alla chetichella in un camino, e lì restò al riparo per tre giorni.
Quando la merla uscì, era sì, salva, ma il suo bel piumaggio si era annerito a causa del fumo e così rimase per sempre con le piume nere.
Once upon a time there was a blackbird, with a splendid white plumage, who was regularly mistreated by January, the cold and shadowy month, that enjoyed waiting for the blackbird to leave its nest in search of food then hurling it to the icy cold ground.
Fed up with this continual persecution, the blackbird decided one year to store enough provisions for a month, and closed itself in its nest, sheltered, for the whole month of January, which in those days had only 28 days.
On the last day of the month, the blackbird, thinking that it had out-witted the evil January, came out of its hiding place and started singing to mock it.
January resented this so much that it borrowed three days from February and went wild with blizzards, wind, ice and rain.
The blackbird sneakily took refuge in a chimney and stayed there for three days.
When the blackbird came out it was safe, but its beautiful plumage had been blackened by the smoke and so it remained forever with its black feathers.
]]> http://www.my-italian.com/2009/01/26/learn-about-italys-blackbird-days/feed/ Learn how to say the days of the week in Italian http://www.my-italian.com/2009/01/24/learn-how-to-say-the-days-of-the-week-in-italian/ http://www.my-italian.com/2009/01/24/learn-how-to-say-the-days-of-the-week-in-italian/#comments Sat, 24 Jan 2009 13:46:26 +0000 admin http://www.my-italian.com/?p=519 I giorni della settimana (the days of the week) consist of lunedì (Monday), martedì (Tuesday), mercoledì (Wednesday), giovedì (Thursday) and venerdì (Friday).
Where do these names derive from?  lunedì is from la luna (moon), martedì from il pianeta Marte (the planet Mars), mercoledì from Mercurio (Mercury), giovedì from Giove (Jupiter), and venerdìfrom Venere (Venus). The suffix dì means day.

The fine settimana (weekend) is made up of sabato (Saturday) and domenica (Sunday).

In English we use the preposition ‘on‘ to specify a particular day of the week. Italians however use the article ‘il‘ (the). For example:

il martedì andro al cinema - on Tuesday I’m going to the cinema

]]> http://www.my-italian.com/2009/01/24/learn-how-to-say-the-days-of-the-week-in-italian/feed/ Learn some basic verbs in Italian http://www.my-italian.com/2009/01/22/learn-some-basic-verbs-in-italian/ http://www.my-italian.com/2009/01/22/learn-some-basic-verbs-in-italian/#comments Thu, 22 Jan 2009 10:15:24 +0000 admin http://www.my-italian.com/?p=454 Here are some basic verbs and examples on how to use them in a simple sentence:

Click here for grammar rules

]]> http://www.my-italian.com/2009/01/22/learn-some-basic-verbs-in-italian/feed/ Learn words and phrases for clothes shopping in Italian http://www.my-italian.com/2009/01/16/learn-words-and-phrases-for-clothes-shopping-in-italian/ http://www.my-italian.com/2009/01/16/learn-words-and-phrases-for-clothes-shopping-in-italian/#comments Fri, 16 Jan 2009 20:41:20 +0000 admin http://www.my-italian.com/?p=496 The Italian winter sales are in full swing at the moment. Now is the time to pick up a nice designer number at half the usual price. Here is a dialogue to help you with the negotiating:

Can I help you?
No thanks, I’m just looking.
Ok, let me know if you need anything.
…….
Excuse me, do you have this top in red?
No, it only comes in black.
…….
I’m looking for these trousers in a size 16.
Here you are. Would you like to try them on?
Yes please. Where are the fitting rooms?
Over there, next to the shoes.
……..
How did you get on?
They don’t look very good, I’m afraid. I think I need a bigger size.
…….
Excuse me, are these shoes in the sale?
Yes, there’s 20% off.
…….
Could you tell me how much this sweater is?
Yes, it’s half price, so only 25 euros.
Great! A bargain! I’ll have it.
Would you like it giftwrapped?
No thanks, it’s for me.
…….
If there is a problem, can I bring it back?
You have 7 days to bring it back for an exchange, with the receipt. I’m afraid we don’t do refunds.
Ok, thanks.
Posso aiutarla?
No, grazie. Sto solo guardando
Va bene, mi faccia  sapere se ha bisogno
……..
Scusi signorina, avete questo top di colore rosso?
No, esiste solo la versione in nero.
…….
Sto cercando questi pantaloni di taglia 48.
Eccoveli. Vuole provali?
Si, grazie. Dove e’ il camerino?
Di la’, vicino le scarpe.
……..
Come vi stanno?
Non mi vanno bene. Penso di aver bisogno di una taglia maggiore.
……..
Scusi, sono in vendita queste scarpe?
Si, sconto di 20 per cento.
……..
Puo’ dirmi quanto costa questo maglione?
Si, a meta’ prezzo, quindi 25 euro.
Bene, e’ un affare! Lo prendo.
Vuole che lo incartiamo in una confezione regalo?
No, grazie. E’ per me.
…….
Se c’e’ un problema posso portarlo indietro?
Ha 7 giorni per portarlo indietro con la ricevuta. Mi dispiace, non facciamo rimborsi.
Va bene, grazie.

It’s important to know that most Italian high street shops do not give refunds, but you may be able to exchange your purchase with another product. Always ask the shop what their policy is if you’re not sure.

Italian clothes sizes are different to other countries. Here is a comparison chart with the UK and USA:
USA   UK   ITALY
4          6       38
6          8       40
8         10      42
10       12      44
12       14      46
14       16      48

]]> http://www.my-italian.com/2009/01/16/learn-words-and-phrases-for-clothes-shopping-in-italian/feed/ How to pronounce combination of vowels (dipthongs) in Italian http://www.my-italian.com/2009/01/14/how-to-pronounce-combination-of-vowels-dipthongs-in-italian/ http://www.my-italian.com/2009/01/14/how-to-pronounce-combination-of-vowels-dipthongs-in-italian/#comments Wed, 14 Jan 2009 10:38:33 +0000 admin http://www.my-italian.com/?p=61 To pronounce combinations of vowels (dipthongs) in Italian, just add together the two distinct individual sounds.
The sounds don’t vary like they do in English.
Let’s try some common examples:
ai is pronounced like the english word eye (e.g. mai - never)
au is pronounced like the long sound ow in cow (e.g. autobus - bus)
ea is pronounced like the sound ayer of player (e.g. teatro - theatre)
ei is pronounced like the word way (e.g. sei- six)
eo is pronounced like the vowel sounds of the words day off (e.g geografia - geography)
ia sounds like the sound ya in yap (eg italia)
ie is pronounced yeh as the city Triest
oi is pronounced like toilet (e.g. voi - you plural)
uo is pronounced like the wha in what  (e.g. buono)

]]> http://www.my-italian.com/2009/01/14/how-to-pronounce-combination-of-vowels-dipthongs-in-italian/feed/ Learn how to make easy pumpkin risotto in Italian http://www.my-italian.com/2009/01/12/learn-how-to-make-easy-pumpkin-risotto-in-italian/ http://www.my-italian.com/2009/01/12/learn-how-to-make-easy-pumpkin-risotto-in-italian/#comments Mon, 12 Jan 2009 11:06:54 +0000 admin http://www.my-italian.com/?p=476

Here is a simple recipe for risotto alla zucca (pumpkin risotto). Serves two as a main course, four as a starter:

Ingredienti:
500 ml brodo vegetale
1/2 cipolla
200g riso arborio
150g zucca a cubi
50g burro
50g parmeggiano
100 ml vino bianco
sale e pepe quanto basta
Preparazione:
Per prima cosa mettete a cuocere la zucca nel brodo vegetale per circa 10 minuti da quando il brodo inizierà a bollire.
Nel frattempo mettete a rosolare in un tegame abbastanza grande 25g di burro e la cipolla finemente tritata.
Quando la cipolla sarà ben dorata aggiungete il riso e il vino mescolando il tutto per qualche minuto per impedire al riso di attaccarsi al tegame e lasciate cuocere per almeno 10 minuti, mescolando ogni tanto.
A questo punto aggiungete la zucca, che avrete precedentemente frullato, e a mano a mano anche il brodo in cui la zucca è stata cotta, mescolando continuamente per almeno 20 minuti o finche’ non e’ pronto il riso.
Alla fine della cottura aggiungete gli altri 25 g di burro, il parmigiano e mescolate il tutto per bene.
Lasciate riposare il riso per due minuti e servite in tavola ben caldo!
Ingredients:
500 ml vegetable stock
1/2 onion
200g arborio rice (or similar)
150g cubed pumpkin
50g butter
50g parmesan cheese
100ml white wine
salt and pepper to taste
Preparation:
First thing get the pumpkin cooking in the vegetable stock for about 10 minutes from when it begins to boil.
In the meantime melt 25g of butter in a large enough pan and add the finely chopped onion.
When the onion is nice and golden add the rice and wine, stirring for a few minutes to stop the rice from sticking to the pan, then leave to cook for at least ten minutes, stirring occasionally.
At this point add the pumpkin that you have previously mashed, and gradually add also the stock used to cook the pumpkin, stirring continually for at least 20 minutes or until the rice is cooked.
At the end of the cooking add the other 25g of butter, the parmesan and stir well. Leave the rice to rest for two minutes and serve hot on the table!
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