multilingual-mess-blog

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theoristofdefendors heeft gereageerd op je foto:

el cuerpo - il corpo - body la cabeza - la testa -...

Hi! I found a mistake :) It is “cerebro”, not “celebro”! (In fact, “celebro” means “I celebrate” x’D) Interesting post! ^^

thanks for telling me! 

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As you may know Spanish is spoken in many countries, therefore there are significant differences between the Spanish that is spoken in each place, differences such as the vocabulary. Here I’m showing you words from the two variations I know best: from Spain, as I live there, and from Argentina, because my father and his family is from there so I’ve been raised hearing this variant too. Some of the words could be used in other countries too, or they could not be used in the whole country because in each one there are even more variants of the language, some are used in both countries but you will hear them with more frequency in one of them. Also feel free to add more words if you know them or tell me if you notice any mistake.

Key->

Castilian Spanish - Argentinian Spanish - English

* word used in an informal context

Fruits, vegetables and other food

fresa - frutilla - strawberry

plátano - banana - banana

melocotón - durazno - peach

albaricoque - damasco - durazno

piña - ananá - pineapple

maíz - choclo - corn

cacahuete - maní - peanut

calabaza - zapallo - pumpkin

alcachofa - alcaucil - artichoke

aguacate - palta - avocado

judía - chaucha - bean

alubia - poroto - bean (but a diferent kind than the previous, I don’t know if in English you have different names for both of them)

palomitas - pororó/pochoclo - pop corn

tortitas - panqueques - pancakes

tarta - torta - cake

bollo - factura - bun (sweet)

cruasán - medialuna - croissant

zumo - jugo - juice

refresco - gaseosa - soda

embutido - fiambre - cold meat

beicon - panceta - bacon

perrito caliente - pancho - hot dog

Clothes

chaqueta - campera/saco - jacket

camiseta -remera - t-shirt

jersey - pulóver - pullover

falda - pollera - skirt

sujetador - corpiño - bra

bragas - bombachas - knickers/panties

chanclas - ojotas - flip-flops

Objects

gafas - anteojos - glasses

cerilla - fósforo - match

rotulador - fibra - marker

bolígrafo - lapicera - pen

estuche - cartuchera - case

maleta - valija - suitcase

móvil - celular - mobile phone

ordenador - computadora - computer

lavadora - lavarropas - washing machine

nevera - heladera - fridge

congelador - freezer - freezer

coche - auto - car

autobús - omnibus/colectivo - bus

metro - subte - undedrground/subway

acera - vereda - sidewalk

piscina - pileta - swimming pool

Other nouns

chico/a - pibe/a - kid

chica - mina - girl

lío - quilombo - mess

pasta* - guita*- money

curro* - laburo*- job

rizo - rulo - curl

baloncesto - básquet - basketball

portero/guardameta - arquero - goalkeper

camarero - mozo - waiter

piso - departamento - flat

salón - living - living room

culo - cola - butt

cerdo - chancho - pig

Verbs

conducir - manejar - drive

encender - prender - turn on/switch on

graduarse - recibirse - graduate

examinarse - rendir - do an exam

quitarse - sacarse - take off

cotillear - chusmear - gossip

Adjetives

festivo - feriado - holiday

bajo - petiso - short

falso - trucho - fake

Other words

aquí - acá - here

allí - allá - there

tú - vos - you

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Spanish Demonstratives requested by kingnocto [request]

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hey idk if you have answered this before, but how can you tell when to use "por" vs. "para"? And do native Spanish speakers typically understand what you mean regardless of which one you use?

They both have different uses, they are very few times interchangeable but mostly not:) And yes, we will understand you if you change them by mistake!:D

“Por” uses:

Cause or reason:Hago origami por diversión. I do origami for fun.

Time period:Estudié en UK por tres meses.I studied in the UK for 3 months.

Approximate place, thereabouts:El restaurante está por el centro.The restaurant is around downtown.

Place to go through:El Nilo pasa por Egipto.The Nile passes through Egypt.

In exchange of something:Vendo ropa por dinero.I sell clothes for money.

Price:Te lo vendo por 30€.I sell it to you for 30€.

In the name of another, substitution:No hables por mí. Do not speak for me.

Means, way:Mándamelo por email.Send it to me via email.

“In order to find, in order to buy”:Pasaré por ti a las 8 de la mañana. I will go pick you up at 8am.Voy a por los tomates. I’m going to get the tomatoes.

Distribution:Una mesa por pareja.One table per couple.

Velocity:El coche va a 70km por hora.The car goes at 70km per hour.

Part of the day:Haré la colada por la noche.I will do the laundry at night.

About to do an action:Estoy por salir ya.I’m about to go out now.

Passive:El conejo ha sido atrapado por el león.The rabbit has been caught by the lion.

Multiply (math):3 por 3 son 9.3 by 3 are 9.

“Para” uses:

Finality, goals:Estudié en UK para aprender inglés.I studied at the UK to learn English.

Due time:Los deberes son para mañana.Homework is due tomorrow.

Directions:Salimos para tu casa.We’re going to your house.

Destination:Esta ropa es para los pobres.These clothes are for the poor.

Opinion:Puede que para ti no importe.Maybe for you it doesn’t matter.

Inequality expressions, comparison:Eres muy lista para ser una niña.You’re very smart for being a little girl.

Use, purpose:El portátil que te compro es para que trabajes.The laptop I’m buying you is for you to work.

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British English vs. American English: Spelling

English is my second language, and I often struggle with spelling certain words because of these differences between British and American English.

-our / -or

British English: colour, labour, favour

American English: color, labor, favor

-re / -er

British English: centre, theatre

American English: center, theater

-ce / -se

British English: defence, licence,

American English: defense, license

-se / -ze

British English: to analyse, to organise, to criticise

American English: to analyze, to organize, to criticize

-ogue / -og

British English: catalogue, dialogue

American English: catalog, dialog

-t / -ed

British English: spelt, spilt; burnt

American English: spelled, spilled; burned

-dgem- / -dgm-

British English: judgement

American English: judgment

-l / -ll

British English: skilful; to fulfil; canceled

American English: skillful; to fulfill; cancelled

-mme / -m

British English: programme

American English: program

-que / -ck

British English: cheque

American English: check

-ae or -oe / -e

British English: gynaecology

American English: gynecology

Punctuation

British English: Mr, Mrs, Dr

American English: Mr., Mrs., Dr.

I guess you should pick one form of spelling and stick with it for consistency!

Please let me know if there is anything to correct/add!

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bestehen aus + D – to consist of

etw. bilden – to form something

etw. umgeben – to surround

gelangen in + A/ nach + D – to reach, attain

etw. steuern – to control

etw. produzieren/herstellen – to produce

etw./jdn. versorgen mit + D – to supply with

etw. weiterleiten – to send on

das Skelett – skeleton

der Knochen – bone

das Knochenmark – bone marrow

der Schädel – skull

die Wirbelsäule/ -en – spinal column

die Rippe/ -n – rib

das Gelenk/ -e – joint

die Sehne/ -n – tendon

die Muskulatur – musculature

der Muskel/ -n – muscle

das Gehirn/ -e, das Hirn/ -e – brain

die Hemisphäre/ -n, die Hirnhälfte/ -n – hemisphere

das Rückenmark – spinal cord

der Nerv/ -en – nerve

das Herz/ -en – heart

etw. pumpen – to pump

das Blutgefäß/ -e, die Ader/ -n – blood vessel

die Arterie/ -n – artery

die Vene/ -n – vein

der Puls – pulse

atmen – to breath

die Atmung – breathing

die Atemwege – respiratory tract

die Lunge/ -n – lunges

etw. verdauen – digest

die Verdauung – digestion

der Magen/ Mägen – stomach

der Darm/ Därme – intestine

die Leber/ -n – liver

die Niere/ -n – kidney

die Zelle/ -n – cell

das Gewebe – tissue

die DNA, die DNS – DNA

die Erbanlagen (plural) – heredity

etw. umwandeln in + A – to convert

die Umwandlung – conversion

das Enzym/ -e – enzyme

die Drüse/ -n – gland

das Hormon/ -e – hormone

etw. ausschütten – to distribute, to pour out

die Ausschüttung – distribution

die Pubertät – puberty

das Immunsystem – immune system

der Antikörper – antibody

etw./jdn. abwehren – to fend off, repel

die Abwehr – defense

die Abwehrkräfte – defense forces

sich fortplanzen – reproduce

die Fortpflanzung – reproduction

die Fortpflanzungsorgane, die Geschlechtsorgane – reproductive organs

die Genitalien – genitals

der Geschlechtsverkehr – intercourse

ein Kind zeugen – to procreate a child

die Zeugung – procreation

etw./jdn. befruchten – fertilize, inseminate, impregnate

die Befruchtung – fertilization, impregnation

die künstliche Befruchtung – artificial fertilization

unfruchtbar – infertile

das Verhütungsmittel – contraceptive

schwanger – pregnant

die Schwangerschaft/ -en – pregnancy

der Schwangerschaftsabbruch/ -abbrüche, die Abtreibung/ -en – abortion

die Gebärmutter – uterus

der Embryo/ -nen – embryo

embryonal – embryonic

der Fötus/Föten – fetus

ein Kind gebären, ein Kind zur Welt bringen – to give birth to a child

die Entbindung/ -en, die Geburt/ -en – the birth

Other lists from this series: Nourishment Education Studies Science

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l'abbigliamento [gli abbigliamenti] - the piece of clothing

la camicia [le camicie] - the shirt la camicetta [le camicette] - the blouse la maglietta [le magliette] - the T-shirt   la felpa [le felpe] - the sweatshirt il maglione [i maglioni] - the sweater il vestito [i vestiti] - the dress la gonna [le gonne] - the skirt i pantaloni - the pants i jeans - the jeans i pantaloncini - the shorts   la salopette [le salopette] - the overalls     la giacca [le giacche] - the jacket l’impermeabile [gli impermeabili] - the raincoat il guanto [i guanti] - the glove la sciarpa [le sciarpe] - the scarf il cappello [i cappelli] - the hat il cappello per il sole - the sun hat il cappuccio [i cappucci] - the hood lo zaino [gli zaini] - the backpack

la mutande [le mutande] - the underpants la canottiera [le canottiere] - the undershirt il reggiseno [i reggiseni] - the bra il reggiseno sportivo [i reggiseni sportivi] - the sports bra il reggiseno con armatura [i reggiseni con armatura] - the underwire bra il corpetto [i corpetti] - the camisole il busto [i busti] - the corset il reggicalze [i reggicalzi] - the garter la calza [le calze] - the stocking il collant [i collant] - the pantyhose il pantcollant [i pantcollant] - the leggings

gli indumenti per la notte - the nightwear la camicia da notte [le camicie da notte] - the nightgown il pigiama [i pigiama] - the pajamas       la vestaglia [le vestaglie] - the bathrobe

la tutina da neonato [le tutine da neonato] - the baby’s romper/playsuit il bavaglino [i bavaglini] - the bib il pannolino [i pannolini] - the diaper il pannolino di spunga - the cloth diaper il pannolino usa e getta - the disposable diaper il grembiulino [i grembiulini] - the apron

la tenuta da calcio [le tenute da calcio] - the football uniform la tuta da ginnastica [le tute da ginnastica] - the jogging suit

l’abito [gli abiti] - the suit il gilet [i gilet] - the waiscoat la cravatta [le cravatte] - the tie la cintura [le cinture] - the belt l’abito da sera [gli abiti da sera] - the evening dress senza maniche - sleeveless senza spalline - strapless alla caviglia - ankle length al ginocchio - knee-length l’abito da sposa [gli abiti da sposa] - the wedding dress il velo [i veli] - the veil  

il colletto [i colletti] - the collar il collo a V [i colli a V] - the v-neck il girocollo [i girocolli] - the round neck il polsino [i polsini] - the cuff il risvolto [i risvolti] - the lapel la fodera [le fodere] - the lining la cucitura [le cuciture] - the seam l’orlo [gli orli] - the hem la manica [le maniche] - the sleeve il bottone [i bottoni] - the button l’asola [le asole] - the buttonhole la tasca [le tasche] - the pocket

il calzino [i calizini] - the sock la scarpa [le scarpe] - the shoe le scarpe da ginnastica - the gym shoes le scarpe da trekking - the trekking boots lo stivale [gli stivali] - the boot le scarpe di cuoio - the leather shoes l’infradito [le infradito] - the flip-flop il sandalo [i sandali] - the sandal la scarpa con il tacco alto [le scarpe con il tacco alto] - the high-heeled shoe la zeppa [le zeppe] - the wedge il mocassino [i mocassino] - the slip-on la pantofola [le pantofole] - the slippers

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note: i made a few typos regarding “el” and “il” with the italian articles. of course it has to be “il” in italian. i fixed it :)

el cuerpo - il corpo - body la cabeza - la testa - head el celebro - il cervello - brain el pecho - il petto; il torace - chest el hueso - l’osso - bone el músculo - il muscolo - muscle la espalda - la schiena - back el estómago - il ventre - stomach la panza - la pancia - belly el corazón - il cuore - heart el pulmón - il polmone - lung el hígado - il fegato - liver el riñón - il rene - kidney el intestino - l’intestino - gut la vena - la vena - vein el nervio - il nervo - nerve los órganos genitales - gli organi genitali - genitals el utéro; la matriz - l’utero - uterus el cabello - i capelli - hair (on head) el vello - il pelo - body hair  (note: in Spanish you also have “el pelo” which could be any kind of hair: hair on the head, body hair, animal hair, etc.) la cara - il viso - face la garganta - la gola - throat los ojos - gli occhi - eyes el párpado - la palpebra - eyelid  la oreja - l’orecchio (m) (pl.: le orrechie) - ear la nariz - il naso - nose la boca - la bocca - mouth los dientes - i denti - teeth el labio - il labbro (pl. le labbra) - lip la mejilla - la guancia - cheek la mandíbula - la mascella - jaw la lengua - la lingua - tongue la barbilla; il mentón - il mento - chin la frente - la fronte - forehead la ceja - la sopracciglia - eyebrow el cuello - il collo - neck el hombro - la spalla - shoulder la axila - l’ascella - armpit el brazo - il braccio (pl. le braccia) - arm el codo - il gomito - elbow la mano (pl. las manos) - la mano (pl. le mani) - hand el dedo - la dito (pl. le dita) - finger la uña - l’unghia - nail el puño - il pugno - fist la rodilla - il ginocchio (pl. le ginocchia) - knee la pierna - la gamba - leg el muslo - la coscia - thigh la cadera - il fianco - hip la pantorilla - il polpaccio - calf la tibia - la tibia - tibia el pie - il piede - foot el tobillo - la caviglia - ankle

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el cuerpo - il corpo - body la cabeza - la testa - head el cerebro - il cervello - brain el pecho - il petto; il torace - chest el hueso - l’osso - bone el músculo - il muscolo - muscle la espalda - la schiena - back el estómago - il ventre - stomach la panza - la pancia - belly el corazón - il cuore - heart el pulmón - il polmone - lung el hígado - il fegato - liver el riñón - il rene - kidney el intestino - l’intestino - gut la vena - la vena - vein el nervio - il nervo - nerve los órganos genitales - gli organi genitali - genitals el utéro; la matriz - l’utero - uterus el cabello - i capelli - hair (on head) el vello - il pelo - body hair  (note: in Spanish you also have “el pelo” which could be any kind of hair: hair on the head, body hair, animal hair, etc.) la cara - il viso - face la garganta - la gola - throat los ojos - gli occhi - eyes el párpado - la palpebra - eyelid  la oreja - l’orecchio (m) (pl.: le orrechie) - ear la nariz - il naso - nose la boca - la bocca - mouth los dientes - i denti - teeth el labio - il labbro (pl. le labbra) - lip la mejilla - la guancia - cheek la mandíbula - la mascella - jaw la lengua - la lingua - tongue la barbilla; il mentón - il mento - chin la frente - la fronte - forehead la ceja - la sopracciglia - eyebrow el cuello - il collo - neck el hombro - la spalla - shoulder la axila - l’ascella - armpit el brazo - il braccio (pl. le braccia) - arm el codo - il gomito - elbow la mano (pl. las manos) - la mano (pl. le mani) - hand el dedo - la dito (pl. le dita) - finger la uña - l’unghia - nail el puño - il pugno - fist la rodilla - il ginocchio (pl. le ginocchia) - knee la pierna - la gamba - leg el muslo - la coscia - thigh la cadera - il fianco - hip la pantorilla - il polpaccio - calf la tibia - la tibia - tibia el pie - il piede - foot el tobillo - la caviglia - ankle

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la famiglia [le famiglie] - the family i parenti - the relatives i nonni - the grandparents la nonna [le nonne] - the grandmother il nonno [i nonni] - the grandfather

lo zio [gli zii] - the uncle la zie [le zie] - the aunt il cugino [i cugini] - the male cousin la cugina [le cugine] - the female cousin

i genitori - the parents il parde [i padri] - the father la madre [le madri] - the mother il patrigno [i patrigni] - the stepfather la matrigna [le matrigne] - the stepmother  la figlia [le figlie] - the daughter il figlio [i figli] - the son la figliastra [le figliastre] - the stepdaughter il figliastro [i figliastri] - the stepson

il fratello [i fratelli] - the brother la sorella [le sorelle] - the sister

i nipoti - the grandchildren il nipote [i nipoti] - the grandson, the nephew la nipote [le nipoti] - the granddaughter, the niece

il marito [i mariti] - the husband la moglie [le mogli] - the wife il fidanzato [i fidanzati] - the fiancé la fidanzata [le fidanzate] - the fiancée il compagno [i compagni], la compagna [le compagne] - the partner

la nuora [le nuore] - the daughter-in-law il genero [i generi] - the son-in-law la suocera [le suocere] - the mother-in-law il suocero [i suoceri] - the father-in-law la cognata [le cognate] - the sister-in-law il cognato [i cognati] - the brother-in-law

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la fruta - la frutta - fruit la manzana - la mela - apple la pera - la pera - pear el plátano; la banana - la banana - banana la naranja - l’arancia - orange la mandarina - il mandarino - mandarin el pomelo - il pompelmo - grapefruit la ciruela - la prugna - plum el melocotón - la pesca - peach el damasco - l’albicocca - apricot la fresa - la fragola - strawberry la cereza - la ciliega - cherry el arándano - il mirtillo - blueberry la frambuesa - il lampone - raspberry la piña - l’ananas - pineapple el limón - il lemone - lemon el coco - la noce di cocco - coconut la uva - l’uva - grape la granada - la melagrana - pomegranate la sandía - il cocomero - watermelon el melón - il melone - melon

la verdura - la verdura - vegetable la lechuga - la lattuga - lettuce la zanahoria - la carota - carrot el tomate - il pomodoro - tomato el apio - il sedano - celery la berenjena - la melanzana - aubergine la calabaza; el zapallo - la zucca - pumpkin el rabanito - il ravanello - radish la cebolla - la cipolla - onion el ajo - l’aglio - garlic el perejil - il prezzemolo - parsley la patata; la papa - la patata - potato las espinacas - gli spinaci - spinach el coliflor - il cavolfiore - cauliflower

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Tavolo or tavola?

In Italian you have two words for “table”: il tavolo and la tavola. Now, is there a difference between the two? I found a clear explanation on Transparent Language: 

“Nowadays the masculine word tavolo, which originates from the feminine word “tavola” (Latin “tabula”), is used almost exclusively to describe a piece of furniture, e.g. il tavolo della cucina (the kitchen table), il tavolo da pranzo (the dining table), il tavolo da disegno (the drawing table), il tavolo da stiro (the ironing board), il tavolo da biliardo (the snooker table). We also use the word “tavolo” for a table in a restaurant, so if you want to book a table for four people, you’ll have to say vorrei prenotare un tavolo per quattro per favore (I would like to book a table for four please).

On the other hand, the feminine word tavola, which also means a plank or a board, is used to describe the dining table, not as a piece of furniture, but with reference to the table as a place where meals are eaten. In this case we have a whole series of idiomatic expressions based around the act of eating a meal at the table. These are the most common ones:

apparecchiare la tavola (to lay the table)

sparecchiare la tavola (to clear the table)

portare / servire in tavola (to bring food to the table)

il pranzo / la cena è in tavola (lunch / dinner is on the table)

andare / mettersi / sedersi a tavola (to sit down to eat at the table)

essere / stare a tavola (to be sitting eating at the table)

chiamare a tavola (to call people to the table)

tutti a tavola! or simply a tavola! (everybody to the table! i.e. come and sit down to eat!)

servizio da tavola (dining set, i.e. plates, cutlery, glasses)

biancheria da tavola (table linen)

uva da tavola (eating grapes)

“

Source: https://blogs.transparent.com/italian/tavolo-or-tavola/

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Hi! After studying Italian I’d like to learn Spanish as well. Since some words are quite similar in Spanish and Italian I decided to make vocabulary lists so I can compare both languages. First subject: animals!

Spanish - Italian - English

el perro - il cane - dog el gato - il gatto - cat el caballo - il cavallo - horse el potro/potrillo - il puledro - foal el burro - l’asino - donkey el toro - il toro - bull la vaca - la mucca - cow la ternera - il vitello - calf el buey - il bue - ox la cabra - la capra - goat el cerdo - il maiale - pig la oveja - la pecora - sheep el cordero - l’agnello - lamb el gallo - il gallo - rooster/cock la gallina - la gallina - hen el pollito - il pulcino - chick el ganso - l’oca - goose el pato - l’anatra - duck el pavo - il tacchino - turkey la paloma - il piccione - pigeon el pavo real- il pavone - peacock la mariposa - la farfalla - butterfly la mosca - la mosca - fly el mosquito - la zanzara - mosquito la abeja - l’ape - bee la avispa - la vespa - wasp la hormiga - la formica - ant la araña - il ragno - spider la pájaro/el ave - l’uccello - bird el cisne - il cigno - swan el águila - l’aquila - eagle el búho - il gufo - owl la gaviota - il gabbiano - seagull el lobo - il lupo - wolf el zorro - la volpe - fox el léon - il leone - lion el tigre - la tigre - tiger el hipopótama - l’ippopotamo - hippopotamus el rinoceronte - il rinoceronte - rhinoceros la cebra - la zebra - zebra el antilope - l’antilope (f) - antelope el cocodrilo - il coccodrillo - crocodile la serpiente - il serpente - snake el camello - il cammello - camel el canguro - il canguro - kangaroo el koala - il koala - koala el mono - la scimmia - monkey el conejo - il coniglio - rabbit el liebre - la lepre - hare el ciervo - el cervo - deer el hámster - il criceto - hamster el erizo - il riccio - hedgehog la ardilla - lo scoiattolo - squirrel el topo - la talpa - mole el ratón - il topo - mouse la rata - il ratto - rat el sapo - il rospo - toad la rana - la rana - frog el elefante - l’elefante (m) - elephant la jirafa - la giraffa - giraffe el oso - l’orso - bear el oso polar - l’orso polare - polar bear la ballena - la balena - whale el delfín - il delfino - dolphin la foca - la foca - seal la tortuga - la tartaruga - turtle la medusa - la medusa - jellyfish el cangrejo - il granchio - crab el pez - il pesce - fish

False friends!

burro: burro in Spanish means “donkey”, burro in Italian means “butter” topo: topo in Spanish means “mole”, topo in Italian means “mouse” 

Feel free to correct me or to add more! 

[multilingual-mess-blog]

So, since I’m using @languageoclock​‘s vocab lists for German, I’m probably going to translate and integrate more of these in the future, both in Italian and in my target languages. This one was inspired by this!

l'alligatore - alligator l'alpaca (m.) - alpaca l'anatra (f.) - duck l'anguilla (f.) - eel l'antilope (f.) - antelope l'aquila (f.) - eagle l'aragosta (f.) - lobster l'asino (m.) - donkey/ass il babbuino - baboon la balena - whale il bisonte - buffalo, bison il bradipo - sloth il bue - ox il bufalo - buffalo il cammello - camel il cane - dog il canguro - kangaroo la capra - goat il cavallo - horse il cavalluccio marino - seahorse il coccodrillo - crocodile il coniglio - rabbit il cervo - deer il criceto - hamster il delfino - dolphin l'echidna (f.) - echidna l'elefante (m.) - elephant l'emù (m.) - emu il facocero - warthog il falco - hawk, falcon la foca - seal la gallina - hen il gallo - rooster il gatto - cat la gazzella - gazelle il geco - gecko il gerbillo - gerbil il ghepardo - cheetah il giaguaro - jaguar la giraffa - giraffe lo gnu - gnu, wildebeest il gorilla - gorilla il granchio - crab il gufo - owl la iena - hyena l'iguana (f.) - iguana l'ippopotamo (m.) - hippopotamus il koala - koala il lama - llama il lemure - lemur il leone - lion il leopardo - leopard la lepre - hare la lince - the lynx la lontra - otter la lucertola - lizard il lupo - wolf il maiale - pig la mangusta - mongoose la marmotta - groundhog la medusa - jellyfish la mucca - cow il mulo - mule l'oca (f.) - goose l'okapi (m.) - okapi l'opossum (m.) - opossum l'ornitorinco (m.) - platypus l'orso (m.) - bear l'orso polare (m.) - polar bear il panda - panda la pantera - panther il papero - duck il pappagallo - parrot il pavone - peacock la pecora - sheep il pesce - fish il pesce rosso - goldfish il picchio - woodpecker il piccione - pigeon il pipistrello - bat il polpo - octopus il porcellino d'India - guinea pig il porcospino - porcupine il procione - raccoon la puzzola - skunk la rana - frog il ratto - rat la razza - ray la renna - reindeer il riccio - hedgehog il riccio di mare - sea urchin il rinoceronte - rhinocerous il rospo -toad lo sciacallo - jackal la scimmia - monkey lo scimpanzé - chimpanzee lo scoiattolo - squirrel il serpente - snake lo squalo - shark lo struzzo - ostrich il suricato - meerkat la talpa - mole la tartaruga - turtle il tasso - badger la tigre - tiger il topo - mouse il toro - bull il tucano - toucan l'uccello (m.) - bird la volpe - fox il vombato - wombat lo yak - yak la zebra - zebra

[multilingual-mess-blog]

I want to chill but I also want to learn 5 languages

[multilingual-mess-blog]

@hexxvx asked for a post on Italian idioms, and this is it. Now, we have A LOT of them (as many languages do), and I really didn’t know which ones to select, so I just went with some pertaining to three major groups (those who mention animals, body parts [I mostly left out the vulgar ones here, but I could make a post on those too if you’d like me to] and food) and a couple of bonus ones. The Food and Miscellanea categories are under the cut because this is already long enough as it is, hahaha. Enjoy and please ask if you have any questions!

ANIMALS

In bocca al lupo/in culo alla balena – Good luck/Break a leg (lit. “in the mouth of the wolf/in the ass of the whale”)

Honestly, I tend to use the first one more ‘cause the other is a bit gross, haha. I someone wishes you “in bocca al lupo”, you should answer “crepi [il lupo]” (“may [the wolf] die”) or also, if you are a loser like I am, “viva il lupo” (“may the wolf live”), while if someone says “in culo alla balena” the correct reply is “speriamo che non caghi” (“let’s hope it doesn’t shit”).

Il bue che dice cornuto all'asino – The pot calling the kettle black (lit. “the ox calling the donkey horned”)

When somebody accuses someone else of a fault which they themselves share. We’ll get to other meanings of “cornuto” later (spoiler: it’s cuckold) which give this idiom subtler nuances.

Una gallina dalle uova d'oro – A golden goose (lit. “hen with the golden eggs”)

Coming from Aesop’s fables, this idiom refers to something that generates great profit.

Una gatta da pelare – A tough nut to crack (lit. “a cat to skin”)

“Avere una [bella] gatta da pelare” basically means being faced with a difficult task, and I guess because poor cats rightfully won’t let you skin them so easily.

Menare il can per l'aia – To beat around the bush (lit. “to lead the dog around the yard”)

Don’t be fooled by the meaning that the verb “menare” has acquired nowadays (at least in central Italy): the poor dog is not being beaten, but rather led around in circles without a real purpose. This is an old idiom, also featured in Goldoni’s plays, dating back to the 18th century!

Prendere due piccioni con una fava – To kill two birds with one stone (lit. “to catch two pigeons with one fava bean”)

The meaning is essentially the same, though our version is less cruel and more precise (I honestly don’t know why one would want to catch pigeons in particular, though).

Un freddo cane – Damn cold (lit. “dog cold”)

When someone says that “fa un freddo cane”, they mean that the day is the coldest they’ve seen in quite a long time. The addition of “cane” is, basically, a way to insult the cold itself, and can actually be applied to other expressions as well: if a broken limb “fa un male cane”, for example, it means that it hurts real bad.

Sputare il rospo – To spit it out (lit. “to spit the toad out”)

You’ve been guarding a secret that weighs upon your chest, and a friend of yours is trying to get it out of you. After a couple of useless tries, they might lose their temper and burst into an exasperated: “Sputa il rospo!” (“spit it out!”) in order to persuade you to confess.

BODY PARTS

Avere le braccine corte – To be tightfisted (lit. “to have tiny, short arms”)

It’s not a particularly nice thing to say, but this idiom applies to those who just won’t spend their money, ever. If one is a bit stingy, we say he or she has short arms, so short that they can’t reach in their pockets!

Avere la coda di paglia – To have a guilty conscience (lit. “to have a tail made of straw”)

The expression probably dates back to the Middle Ages, when those who had been defeated or condemned were made to walk around wearing a straw-tail, that could easily get burned to add to their humiliation. Someone who has a tail made of straw worries about seemingly minor details, and acts defensively out of fear of being exposed.

Braccia rubate all'agricoltura – Someone who isn’t very bright doing a job they’re not fit for (lit. “arms stolen from farming”)

A funny one, albeit undoubtedly snobbish. It can be said of someone who’d be better off cultivating the land rather than exerting themselves in intellectual purposes.

Essere di bocca buona – To eat anything (lit. “to have a kind mouth”)

A person who is “di bocca buona” will not request an elaborated (and probably expensive) dish, and will rather be satisfied with whathever they’ll find on their plate.

Fare le corna a qualcuno – To cheat on somebody (lit. “to put horns on somebody”)

Some argue that the origin of the idiom is to be sought in the Greek myth of the Minotaur, born of the adulterous relationship between Pasiphaë, queen of Crete, and a bull. Generally speaking, “fare le corna” is a propitiatory gesture thought to keep bad luck away.

Fare orecchie da mercante – To turn a deaf ear (lit. “to do a merchant’s ears”)

Its presence in written Italian has been attested since the 14th century, and in a comedy written by Anton Francesco Grazzini in the following century, the author himself explains it thus: “[Merchants] only hear what pleases them”.

Non avere peli sulla lingua – To not sugar-coat things (lit. “to not have hair on one’s tongue”)

This expression is fit for someone who always says things the way they are, if a little harshly, without worrying too much about the way others could react.

Togliersi un peso dallo stomaco – To take something off one’s chest (lit. “to take a weight off one’s stomach”)

Basically the same as in English.

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