Phrases
- In bocca al lupo = Literally - Into the mouth of a wolf. Really - Break a leg. The response to this is "Crepi!" (Die!)
- Piove a catinelle = Literally - It's raining buckets. Really - It's raining cats and dogs.
- Non vedo l'ora = Literally - I don't see the hour. Really - I can't wait.
- Mi prendi in giro? = Literally - Are you taking me for a spin? Really - Are you making fun of me?
- Che cazzo = WTF
- Boh - perhaps my favorite expression :) It's used to express "I don't know" or "Whatever"
- Ai-yah! = Ouch!
- Ciccia = Literally - Flesh. Really - a term of endearment. Graziella says this to us all the time.
Gestures (sorry if these are hard to picture...)
- Tracing a line down your cheek, usually accompanied by frowning and looking down = Sono triste (I'm sad)
- Pulling your lower eyelid down with your index finger = Ti guardo (I'm watching you)
- Holding your hand palm up, in front of you so it's next to your stomach and moving it in circles that go away from you = Che noioso (How annoying). Graziella also uses this when talking about Vivaldo, haha.
- Making an L with your hand and shaking it back and forth = C'รจ da fare o no? (Yes or no?)
I have found that Italians are more animated in general and they do talk with their hands. The stereotypical image of an Italian shaking his hand with his fingers together while saying "Mamma Mia!" is somewhat true. They do the greeting kisses too, which can be awkward for me (when I forget which cheek is first). Italians can be more touchy too. One time while in the Gucci store (no I did not buy anything) an older salesman said something funny so we were laughing. Then he put his hand on my cheek, like I was his granddaughter...
Caitlin
