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linguaphiles2022-06-20 05:52 pm
suchasnack) wrote in linguaphiles2022-06-20 05:52 pm
Entry tags:
Funny Italian proverbs
Italian adages are often hilarious when they're not misogynist and racist, but we're going to ignore those ones mkay?
Here is a choice of my favourite sayings, the ones I heard the most during my life, followed by a literal translation and by their real meaning.
IT: L'aglio è il farmacista dei contadini.
EN: Garlic is the farmer's pharmacist.
Farmers will try every 'alternative' remedy they can, before giving up and going to the doctor.
IT: L'amore è come la rugiada, che casca tanto sulle rose come sul letame.
EN: Love is like dew: it falls on roses as it does on manure.
Everyone can love and be loved, no matter what they look like.
IT: Nella botte piccola c'è il vino buono. E anche l'aceto.
EN: Small barrells preserve the best wine. And vinegar too.
Short people (me!) will say that they have some great qualities, but others will remind them that they also have some not so great traits.
IT: Per farsi un amico basta un bicchiere di vino, per mantenerlo non ne basta una botte.
EN: You only need a glass of wine to make a friend, but to keep [the friend] a barrel won't be enough.
It's easy to make friends but you need to put effort to maintain the friendship.
IT: Hai voluto la bicicletta? Pedala!
EN: You asked for a bike, now ride it!
You were striving to get where you are in this moment, now it's time to put your back into it and work hard.
IT: Al tempo e al culo non si comanda.
EN: Weather and bowel movements/luck can't be controlled.
This one is a double entendre and it's a bit vulgar XD It's a reminder that the weather is unpredictable and uncontrollable, same as "culo". Culo as in arse, or as in luck. Either way, you can't really create your own luck nor you can prevent your bowels from acting the way they do.
Do you have a favourite proverb? Share it in the comments, if you want! :)
Here is a choice of my favourite sayings, the ones I heard the most during my life, followed by a literal translation and by their real meaning.
IT: L'aglio è il farmacista dei contadini.
EN: Garlic is the farmer's pharmacist.
Farmers will try every 'alternative' remedy they can, before giving up and going to the doctor.
IT: L'amore è come la rugiada, che casca tanto sulle rose come sul letame.
EN: Love is like dew: it falls on roses as it does on manure.
Everyone can love and be loved, no matter what they look like.
IT: Nella botte piccola c'è il vino buono. E anche l'aceto.
EN: Small barrells preserve the best wine. And vinegar too.
Short people (me!) will say that they have some great qualities, but others will remind them that they also have some not so great traits.
IT: Per farsi un amico basta un bicchiere di vino, per mantenerlo non ne basta una botte.
EN: You only need a glass of wine to make a friend, but to keep [the friend] a barrel won't be enough.
It's easy to make friends but you need to put effort to maintain the friendship.
IT: Hai voluto la bicicletta? Pedala!
EN: You asked for a bike, now ride it!
You were striving to get where you are in this moment, now it's time to put your back into it and work hard.
IT: Al tempo e al culo non si comanda.
EN: Weather and bowel movements/luck can't be controlled.
This one is a double entendre and it's a bit vulgar XD It's a reminder that the weather is unpredictable and uncontrollable, same as "culo". Culo as in arse, or as in luck. Either way, you can't really create your own luck nor you can prevent your bowels from acting the way they do.
Do you have a favourite proverb? Share it in the comments, if you want! :)
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Fun!
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