View More Images

More Favorite Italian Words

Hello there! If you are new here, you might want to subscribe to the RSS feed for updates on this topic.

It has been awhile since we have had an installment on favorite Italian words.

Favorite is such a subjective concept, really. Some words can be favorites because of a hidden meaning. Others due to the way they feel or sound in your mouth. And favorites can also be phrases, food or slang Italian words.

And as my learning (and Italian memoir reading) continues, there will no doubt be tons more words to add to my list.

You can read previous posts about Italian words here

Here are some additional favorites, in no particular order:

abbastanza (or basta!) – enough

formaggio – cheese

finestrino – small window

correggere – to correct

squisito – exquisite

bacio – kiss

soggiorno - stay

dolcetto – type of wine

abbracci – hugs, embrace

orecchiette – ear-shaped pasta

domattina – tomorrow morning

pagliacci – clowns

affogato – technically means drowned, but it’s also a fab dessert of gelato drowned in espresso.

cameriere – waiter

ti amo – i love you

chiacchiericcio – chit-chat, gossip

dolorosamente – painfully

carabinieri - National police of Italy

poggibonsi – a Tuscan town

torta – cake, tart

brava - good (feminine form)

Wow. That’s alotta words.

Now it’s your turn to wax poetic about some of your favorites! You know what to do in the comments…

Twitter Stumble Facebook Delicious

Digg Reddit Mixx Tumblr

Scintilla
December 10th, 2009
Biricchino! Naughty but nice (ONLY for kids)!
I’ve been to Poggibonsi too.
Scintilla´s last blog ..Oh…Rats!

Erin :: The Olive Notes
December 10th, 2009
I love “basta” and “assolutamente”…that one has such a great rhythm to it

oh, and “sta’ zitta!” is fun…although a bit rude like “shut up!” You have to do this complete with the finger-touching-thumb-palms-up shake!
Erin :: The Olive Notes´s last blog ..giving thanks in the carolinas

Suzanne
December 10th, 2009
My absolute favorite: coccinella (ladybug) … love it!

Miss Expatria
December 10th, 2009
I like strepitosa (amazing). But it’s best if you say it, strrrrrrrrrepiteeeeeeewwwwwwwwzzzz.
Miss Expatria´s last blog ..What Google Goggles Might Mean For Travelers

Sarah
December 10th, 2009
I just love spaventapasseri or scarecrow to me and you

Lisa Harris
December 10th, 2009
Prego. I love the word prego. Probably because it has so many uses.

Gelato. Even the word makes me happy.
Lisa Harris´s last blog ..Gone Postal

joe@italyville
December 10th, 2009
I’m a big fan of polpaccio – calf muscle and addirittura – really!

Angela K. Nickerson
December 14th, 2009
You have included several of my favorites including “basta!” That one is particularly gratifying! I also love “scuzi” and “cinghiale” (“excuse me” and “wild boar” respectively).
Angela K. Nickerson´s last blog ..On the Radio with Rick Steves

Scott
January 8th, 2010
I’m with Lisa, my favorite word is ‘Prego.’ It can mean anything the speaker wants it to mean. In my case, it meant “have a seat” while the lady behind the sandwich counter montioning me away and towards the outdoor seating. Love those language barriers.