If Youre Reading This Its Too Late in Italian

37 Italian Sayings that Italians Really Use

Every language has its own turns of phrase and quirky sayings, and nosotros Italians are fond of our many aforismi e proverbi ("aphorisms and proverbs").

Italian sayings communicate a message with wisdom and sense of humour, two appreciated traits in the Italian culture.

That'south why one thing y'all should focus on when learning Italian is Italian sayings.

Think nigh it: what better way is there to audio like a native than to incorporate local expressions into your speech?

Plus, by learning Italian sayings you'll go an insight into Italian culture and how Italians retrieve.

In this article, you'll find popular Italian sayings about life, success, friendship, family unit, and food, besides every bit some Latin expressions that are still widely used in the Kick and a list of Italian idioms.

Italian is my native language, so I'k very proud to share these.

Pronti? Via! ("Gear up? Let'south go!")

10 Italian Phrases Almost Life (+ a Bonus!)

Life is full of surprises, isn't it? Both expert and bad ones. Merely it doesn't wait like Italians are ever really surprised. In fact, they seem to have a proverb or idiom related to near every possible state of affairs in life.

Equally there are many Italian sayings most life, I've nerveless x of the most popular ones for you here. I've also added, equally a bonus, a saying that isn't very popular but makes up for it in charm.

Il Mattino Ha fifty'Oro in Bocca – "The Early Bird Catches the Worm"

If you're an early riser, this Italian quote could exist your motto.

Literally translated as "the morn has gold in its oral fissure", il mattino ha l'oro in bocca suggests that the early morning time hours are the ones which bring about more than productivity.

This phrase is considered to exist the equivalent of the English "the early bird catches the worm" because, despite not pregnant the exact same thing, they have a similar message: those who first off before others catch the all-time opportunities.

Nessuna Nuova, Buona Nuova – "No News Is Expert News"

At that place is little to explain aboutNessuna nuova, buona nuova as information technology has an verbal equivalent in English: "No news is skilful news." Yous volition also hear it asNulla nova, bona nova, the original Latin version of the saying.

If you're non familiar with the phrase in any of those languages, you'll catch its meaning after reading its Italian counterpart:Le notizie brutte si sanno subito. ("Bad news is immediately known.")

Not hearing whatsoever news near a person usually ways that their routine is going on every bit always, hence in that location is no need to report any changes.

Ai Mali Estremi, Estremi Rimedi – "Desperate Times Call for Drastic Measures"

This Italian phrase comes from the Latin Extremis malis, extrema remedia. Information technology literally translates to "to farthermost wrongs, farthermost cures", but would usually exist rendered in English every bit "drastic times call for drastic measures".

This phrase is used when talking near serious situations. If a problem is harsh, the proverb suggests that the solution should be as heavy.

Finché C'È Vita C'È Speranza – "While There'southward Life, In that location's Promise"

Italians are fond of this phrase. They like to remember that they should proceed hoping for the best, even when they are in a dire state of affairs or things look incommunicable.

Finché c'è vita, c'è speranza has a sibling maxim: la speranza è l'ultima a morire (literally: "hope is the last ane to die").

Meglio Tardi Che Mai – "Better Late Than Never"

Meglio tardi che mai is some other Italian phrase that points to a glass-half-full mindset. It is a reminder that it's meliorate when things happen late, but still happen, rather than not happening at all.

This saying has a twin related to quantities: meglio poco che niente. ("something'due south better than nothing.")

Both phrases are oftentimes used sarcastically.

Ride Bene Chi Ride Ultimo – "He Who Laughs Last, Laughs Longest"

Because of this saying, I've always been cautious during competitions. You should never feel like the victory is yours before the competition is actually over!

Ride bene chi ride ultimo is not only used as a warning but also as a moral. Its meaning sometimes coincides with that of the sayings non vendere la pelle dell'orso prima di averlo ucciso (literally: "don't sell the deport'south pare before having killed it") or non dire gatto se non ce l'hai nel sacco (literally: "don't say true cat if yous don't take it in the purse"), which both mean "don't count your chickens before they're hatched".

seven. L'Abito Non Fa il Monaco – "Apparel Don't Make the Man" and "Don't Guess a Volume past Its Cover"

Literally translated in English fifty'abito non fa il monaco becomes "the apparel do not brand the monk". Nosotros tin run across in it a trace of the heavy importance of the Catholic religion on Italian culture.

If we were to look for the English language equivalent of this idiom, we'd observe 2. Permit's see why.

Firstly, it's non the monk's clothes that make him a holy man, but his deportment. In this example, the phrase means "dress don't make the man".

But so, if a man is clothed as a monk, he isn't necessarily 1. In this example, the English translation would exist "don't judge a book past its cover". In that location even is some other saying for this in Italian: "non è tutt'oro ciò che luccica" ("all that glitters is not gold").

A Caval Donato Not si Guarda in Bocca – "Don't Look a Gift Horse in the Oral fissure"

You'd be surprised at how often this saying is used in Italian republic. How weird is information technology to talk almost looking a horse in the mouth?

When horses were a crucial resource, buyers checked a horse's rima oris earlier purchasing them to make sure it was in good health. They bodacious themselves that the horse was worth the money spent and would be able to perform its tasks well. That'south what we still practise when we're considering buying a product, subsequently all.

Simply would you check the quality of a gift you've received in front of the person who'southward gifted it to y'all? That'd be rude.

That'southward what this proverb means. You should be grateful for what you lot get and not look for reasons to dismiss a souvenir.

Batti il Ferro Finché È Caldo – "Make Hay While the Sun Shines"

Batti il ferro finché è caldo (literally: "Beat the atomic number 26 while it'south hot") is the Italian phrase used when yous desire to encourage someone to act while in that location is an opportunity to grab. In fact, giving atomic number 26 shape is possible only when information technology's hot enough to be reformed. When it cools down, there's zero you can practise to bend information technology.

Chi Troppo Vuole Nulla Stringe – "Grasp All, Lose All"

Chi troppo vuole nulla stringe literally means "those who want as well much end upward keeping/getting nada".

It'south a vernacular simply wise proverb that brings to mind ane of Aesop's fables: Il Cane e l'Osso ("The Canis familiaris and The Bone").

In this story, a dog is enjoying a os on the side of a river. While he is chewing his meal, he happens to expect down at the water'due south surface. He mistakes his reflection for another dog chewing on what seems to him like a bigger bone. Eager to go a ameliorate repast, the dog opens his mouth to get the other os… But what happens instead is that his own meal falls into the river, where the domestic dog can't get it back.

There's another Italian phrase with a similar meaning. It says il meglio è il nemico del bene ("the perfect is the enemy of good.") While there'south nada wrong in aiming to requite your best endeavour, the proverb teaches that wanting too much perfection might atomic number 82 you to lose the work you put up to get something just skilful.

Bonus Italian Saying: La Vita È Come up Una Fotografia. Se Sorridi, Viene Meglio ("Life is Like a Photograph. If Y'all Smile, It's Ameliorate")

This one is not very popular as it is more than contempo than whatsoever of the above-mentioned phrases, but I wanted to include it because it's i of the near cute Italian sayings I've ever heard.

5 Italian Phrases About Success

There are quite a few Italian expressions related to success. Here are five that are frequently used in Italy:

Chi Dorme Non Piglia Pesci – "Yous Snooze, You lot Lose"

Chi dorme non piglia pesci literally translates to "those who sleep don't catch fish."

Does information technology sound similar it makes no sense? Well, retrieve well-nigh it. You tin can't expect to catch fish if all yous do when going out to the river is slumber on the banking concern.

Similarly, y'all tin can't expect to get results if you're too lazy to work for them.

Chi Fa Da Sé, Fa Per Tre – "Do It Yourself if Y'all Desire Information technology Done Correct"

According to this saying, doing things yourself is as if y'all did the job of three people. What Italians desire to say is that you have to practise things yourself if yous want them to be done properly. And here I am writing this excellent article about Italian sayings, so of course, I recollect it'due south true. 😄

Chi Non Fa, Not Falla – "He Who Makes No Mistakes, Makes Goose egg"

The exact English language translation of chi not fa, non falla is "who does nothing makes no mistakes".

It doesn't sound like much of a maxim, does it? Making no mistakes could even be considered something positive. Simply the proverb makes sense when you know that there is an implicit conclusion to it.

In fact, Italian parents never tire of reminding their children that mistakes pave the path to nifty achievements. Who hasn't been told that making mistakes is a way to larn new lessons?

Then by saying "who does nothing makes non mistakes," the maxim means that those who do nothing attain and learn zero.

La Pazienza È la Virtù dei Forti – "Patience is a Virtue"

In Italian, nosotros say that "patience is the virtue of the potent". Anyone tin can requite into anger or get impatient, simply few are stiff enough to proceed calm and wait for life to happen at its own pace.

Being able to never lose my temper is a superpower I'd beloved to accept.

Non Rimandare a Domani Quello Che Puoi Fare Oggi – "There's No Fourth dimension Like the Present"

Raise your hand if you lot've put off something you needed to practice simply to observe that you ran out of time. 🙋

This Italian saying is a wise warning to avoid that kind of situation. Non rimandare a domani quello che puoi fare oggi literally means "don't postpone what you could practice today to tomorrow."

iv Italian Sayings About Friends and Family

Family and friends hold an important place in Italian culture. For this reason, there are a few Italian proverbs related to friends and family.

Permit's notice iv of them.

Chi Trova un Amico, Trova un Tesoro – "He Who Finds a Friend, Finds a Treasure"

One of my eye-course teachers once taught me that a true friend is someone who would not hesitate in letting y'all stay at their place if your house burnt downwards. It's an extreme instance, simply it covers what true friendship should convey.

In this Italian saying, finding a friend is compared to finding a treasure because a true friend turns out to be an invaluable companion in life.

Noi Non Potremo Avere Perfetta Vita Senza Amici – "Nosotros Couldn't Have a Perfect Life Without Friends"

This quote by Dante Alighieri is one of the about famous Italian sayings yet used in everyday voice communication despite its old-fashioned phrasing. You might hear information technology from Italians who have studied classic literature at academy.

By reading this quote and the saying above, you can understand how valuable friendship is in Italian republic.

Quale il Padre, Tale il Figlio – "Like Father, Like Son"

Likewise quoted as tale padre, tale figlio, this saying is oftentimes used with a negative connotation.

It implies that a son has the same values, morals, or behavioral tendencies as his begetter and usually serves as a criticism or reproval of said traits.

Tra Moglie e Marito Not Mettere il Dito – "Never Interfere Betwixt a Husband and Wife"

Tra moglie e marito non mettere il dito is literally translated as "don't put a finger between wife and husband." Granted, it doesn't stand out for clarity, but at to the lowest degree it rhymes in Italian.

I've learnt this phrase from my Italian grandparents. Getting involved in a couple'southward business organisation when they are arguing is non a good thing if yous exercise not know the depth of the situation.

4 Italian Sayings About Food

You lot might have scrolled downward or skimmed the previous parts to get to this one. I don't blame you if yous did, few people can resist the words "Italian" and "food" in the aforementioned sentence.

Italians practice very well when they deal with food in the kitchen, but what about when they mix it up with proverbs and sayings? I'll let you lot approximate.

L'Appetito Vien Mangiando – "Ambition Comes With Eating"

If you lot're planning to become to Italia and are thinking nearly learning only one saying, this is the 1. It'due south not particularly meaningful, but it's used very ofttimes.

To exist honest, the truth backside the maxim is not and so much about appetite as it is nigh gluttony, but I guess it sounded improve this fashion. It means that people always want more than they already have.

And with Italian cuisine, y'all bet they do. 😉

Non Tutte le Ciambelle Riescono Col Buco – "Not Everything Turns Out equally Planned"

Non tutte le ciambelle riescono col buco literally means "not all doughnuts come out with a hole." If this proverb makes you lot feel perplexed, don't worry, you're not alone: fifty-fifty some Italians are not too keen on it!

Showtime of all, why would Italians talk about doughnuts as they're not a typical Italian food? That's a expert question, and the answer might disappoint you in its simplicity. In fact, there isn't a real answer. Italians just seem to take warmed upward to doughnuts and decided that they are the perfect ingredient to melt up a proverb.

Secondly, what does the maxim mean? This I know. A doughnut is supposed to expect like a ring of dough, but sometimes an mistake in the preparation might result in a pigsty-less doughnut. Not everything in life turns out the way yous planned!

Tutto Fumo eastward Niente Arrosto – "All Bark and No Bite"

Do you know people who like to bluster a lot, but when it comes to taking activeness, they of a sudden become very shy? You could say about them that they are tutto fumo e niente arrosto.

Yous can also use the expression to describe hyper-hyped products or initiatives that turn out to be a lot less than what they'd been marketed as.

Cercare il Pelo nell'Uovo – "To Be Nit-Picky"

Cercare il pelo nell'uovo literally translated to English would be "to expect for the hair in the egg". Information technology means to split hairs, looking for the fault or small mistake in a situation.

4 Italian Sayings About Love

If you remember about it, dear is an incommunicable concept to ascertain in all its dazzler. However, Italians try their best to put it into words. They have many means to talk about romantic dear with their partners, for example.

Here, you lot can learn four Italian sayings about dear.

L'amore È Cieco – "Dearest Is Blind"

This saying could accept several interpretations. Whether it relates to incomprehension when it comes to physical appearance or a beloved interest's faults, the bulletin is clear: when yous autumn in love, y'all do it regardless of anything.

Al Cuore Non Si Comanda – "The Centre Wants What It Wants"

Al cuore non si comanda (literally: "tou tin't rule the centre") means that dearest blooms unexpectedly and you can't command information technology.

I've heard from trusted sources that it's a favorite motto of rom-com scriptwriters.

Sfortunato al Gioco, Fortunato in Amore – "Unlucky at Cards but Lucky in Love"

To be honest, this proverb does non have a tried-and-true message to deliver. It's more than of a superstitious belief than a moral.

I, for instance, am very unlucky at both. 💔

Occhio Non Vede, Cuore Non Duole – "Out of Sight, Out of Mind"

The literal translation of occhio not vede, cuore non duole is "middle doesn't run across, heat doesn't injure."

What this proverb implies is that what you don't encounter with your own eyes won't hurt you. It'due south used when talking most dear delusions.

5 Latin Sayings Used by Italians

In Italy, the study of ancient Latin and Greek is well-looked upon as the civilizations they're linked to are an important foundation of the Italian culture.

Likewise small words or expressions like viceversa ("the other mode around"), idem ("aforementioned"), and in extremis ("at the last moment"), Italians have conserved several Latin expressions for mean solar day-to-24-hour interval apply. Here are five of them.

Equally yous'll discover, they're short, which makes them easier to remember and employ on a daily basis.

Repetita luvant – "Repeating Does Adept"

In Italian,Repetita Iuvant becomesripetere la stessa cosa, aiuta ("repeating the aforementioned thing helps"), but the Latin version is used the most.

It'due south used in situations when repetition could be considered ho-hum, such every bit in school, to remind the listener that repeating things makes them easier to call back.

Verba Volant, Scripta Manent – "Words Fly Away, Writings Remain"

Verba volant, scripta manent, or le parole volano, gli scritti rimangono in Italian, is a quote from a famous speech past the Emperor Titus at the Roman senate.

It'southward a truth that spoken words can exist forgotten or ignored, just written words remain as a tangible and visible proof.

Ad Maiora Semper – "Towards Greater Things"

Ad maiora semper means verso cose più grandi ("towards greater things"). Information technology's a phrase for encouraging people when their life is opening up to new possibilities, such as subsequently graduation.

De Gustibus (Non Disputandum Est) – "In that location Is No Arguing Almost Taste"

This phrase, which in Italian becomes i gusti non si discutono, is used to say that there is no arguing about taste every bit it is subjective.

Some of my friends use it when I tell them their love for pineapple pizza is irrational.

Carpe Diem – "Seize the 24-hour interval"

The Italian version of carpe diem is cogli 50'attimo ("seize the moment"). This Latin phrase is pop worldwide as a reminder to enjoy the nowadays.

5 Italian Idioms

You've learnt many Italian proverbs and sayings also as some Latin ones… Now how near getting to know some Italian idioms? Let's practise that.

In Bocca Al Lupo! – "Good Luck!"

Yep, yous've read this right. A common vernacular fashion to wish someone good luck in Italian is to tell them "in the oral cavity of the wolf."

This idiom'southward origin is unclear, just a pop belief has it that it comes from the legend of Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome. The twins were constitute and raised past a wolf from a young historic period, and considering of this the wolf represents protection and care.

Nevertheless, this poetic version clashes with the typical reply to the interjection: crepi il lupo ("may the wolf die"). This may stem from the times when wolves were considered the virtually dangerous animals in Italy.

Cavolo! – "Darn!"

Imagine this situation: you're at the till at the supermarket and the cashier has finished scanning your calendar week'due south worth of groceries. You're about to accept out your wallet to pay when… Cavolo! (literally, "Cabbage!") You realize you've left it dwelling.

Un Freddo Cane – "It's Freezing Cold"

Brrr… If you want to shiver in Italian, you must use this funny idiom: Fa united nations freddo cane. It's hard to translate it to English in a fashion that makes sense.

Pikestaff ("dog") in this instance is used as an intensifying adjective, so the phrase doesn't non hateful "information technology's dog cold" but "it's actually, really cold".

Sogni d'Oro – "Sweet Dreams"

To wish your loved one a adept night in Italian, you lot can tell them to take sogni d'oro (literally: "golden dreams").

Farsi in Quattro – "Bend Over Backwards"

Persian in quattro (literally, "Make oneself in four") is the Italian way to say that you've gone out of your manner to do something. It's an idiom ofttimes used to draw parents' efforts to give the best to their children.

What's Your Favorite Italian Saying?

So, what do y'all think of these Italian sayings? Which is your favorite? Practise you know some others that weren't included in this article?

Now, it's your turn to use them! In bocca al lupo! Good luck!

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Source: https://www.fluentin3months.com/italian-sayings/