In Italian, the usage of some nouns modified with suffixes (wondering how to use Italian suffixes?) is so well-established that they have given rise to idioms and fixed expressions. Their meanings iares immediately understood by native speakers, yet they remain obscure to Italian language learners.
The list of these Italian idiomatic expressions is endless, but here are some of the most common expressions for you along with their etymology. Many of these Italian idiomatic expressions are related to body parts and body language.
In Italian, to go together is:
Andare a braccetto
» to walk arm in arm; figuratively, to go together
(from braccio, "arm")
In Italian, the expression for “penny-pinching” is literally “to have short arms”
Avere il braccino corto
» penny-pinching
(from braccio, "arm")
Che bel quadretto! [often ironic]
» What a lovely scene! Or literally, “what a lovely painting!”
(from quadro, "painting")
In Italian, “to sleep like a baby” is literally “to sleep like a little angel”.
Dormire come un angioletto
» to sleep like a baby
(from angelo, "angel")
Fare la linguaccia
» to stick out one’s tongue
(from lingua, "tongue")
Fare l’occhiolino
» to wink at someone
(from occhio, "eye")
Fare spallucce
» to shrug one’s shoulders
(from spalla, "shoulder")
Fare una figuraccia
» to make a bad impression
(from figura, "impression")
In Italian, the expression equivalent to “pinky swear” is often used by children. It’s:
Giurin giurello!
» Pinky swear!
(from giurare, "to swear")
Lanciare una frecciatina
» to get in a dig at someone, literally “to throw an arrow”
(from frecciata, "arrow shot")
Stare al calduccio
» to lie snug in bed, literally “to stay warm”
(from caldo, warmth)
That’s it! Do you have a favorite Italian idiomatic expression? Share it with us in the comments below!
Want to know more? Check out our latest blog about the Top 45 Key Italian Travel Phrases as well!
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About the Author: Viola Librenti is a translator who, as part of her work, translates for Drops.
