Vocab and handy phrases

Question 1

Let me know!

Answer 1

Fammi sapere!

Question 2

As usual (3 ways to say it)

Answer 2

Come di consueto OR come sempre OR come al solito

Question 3

current events

Answer 3

temi di attualità

Question 4

To declare, to state (verb is regular). Often used in news accounts when reporting on what an official or government says

Answer 4

Dichiarare

Question 5

Following, after

Answer 5

in seguito

Question 6

within a few days

Answer 6

in pochi giorni

Question 7

as well as

Answer 7

così come

Question 8

wrong

Answer 8

sbagliato

Question 9

a job

Answer 9

un impiego

Question 10

because - context is to explain the reasoning behind an event or action (e.g. “because of the ban…”

Answer 10

a causa — “a causa del divieto”

Question 11

despite

Answer 11

nanostante

Question 12

guests

Answer 12

ospiti

Question 13

to seem

Answer 13

per/a sembrare

Question 14

Since - context is to introduce an explanation, NOT passage of time

Answer 14

dato che

Question 15

“Don’t mention it” (as a reply to “grazie”). This expression also means “yeah right” kind of sarcastically. Example from Iceberg email: “Is Luca coming tonight? Yeah right, he never comes to parties.”

Answer 15

Figurati “Luca viene stasera? Figurati, lui non viene mail alle feste.”

Question 16

On the day before yesterday

Answer 16

Nella giornata di ieri

Question 17

He has earned the right

Answer 17

Ha guadagnato il diritto

Question 18

He was fired

Answer 18

È stato licenziato

Question 19

On the other hand

Answer 19

D’altro canto

Question 20

It is, It is about. (it is an impersonal 3rd person singular used to say what something, is, is about. It may also be translated as “it concerns”)

Answer 20

Si tratta di

Question 21

Handy phrase that means literally “in order to assist” but can be translated to communicate that one thing is dependent upon another. Also seems to be used in idiomatic expressions. We must encourage the best, so that we can be there for the weak. A visa was granted to Minster Murerewa to enable him to attend a meeting of the ACP group in Brussels.

Answer 21

per poter assistere Dobbiamo incoraggiare i migliori per poter assistere i più deboli. È stato concesso un visto al ministro Murerewa per poter assistere a Bruxelles alla riunione del gruppo ACP.

Question 22

Common word that means “over” with an “in” in front of it, means “furthermore”

Answer 22

oltre/inoltre

Question 23

Put an end

Answer 23

pone fine

Question 24

Who knows?

Answer 24

chissà?

Question 25

Anyway, however.

However it goes, it will be a success.

Thanks anyway

Answer 25

comunque

Comunque vada sarà un sucesso.

Grazie comunque.

Question 26

Thanks just the same

Answer 26

Grazie lo stesso.

Question 27

So, therefore, or then You are a very good writer, so I understand perfectly. He knows I am unique and therefor indispensable.

Answer 27

Quindi Scrivi molto bene, quindi capisco perfettamente. Sa che sono unico e quindi indispensabile.

Question 28

Mini tutorial on ALLORA (1 of 5)

Case 1: Then, therefore, so. In this case “allora” is being used to show that some decision has been made.

Person 1: It’s a homemade cake.

Person 2: Then I’ll take it!

You should move to Italy then.

Luigi is arriving 5 minutes? Well, then, I’m leaving.

That book was boring, so I bought another one.

It’s cold outside, so I decided to stay home.

Answer 28

Person 1: È una torta fatto in casa.

Person 2: Allora la prendo!

Dovresti trasferirti in Italia allora.

Luigi arriva tra cinque minuti? Beh, allora, me ne vado.

Quel libro era noioso, alloro ho comprato un altro.

Fa freddo fuori, alloro ho deciso di stare a casa.

Question 29

Mini tutorial on ALLORA (2 of 5)

Case 2: Then, in that moment, at the time (in the past or future). In this case “allora” represents a period of time.

We’ll see each other then (at that time)! (in this example, both people have discussed when the next time they will see each other will be)

Up until then, I thought he was my soul mate. (in this example, the speaker has already stated the period of time, so it is just referenced again using “allora”)

Do you remember my Italian level from last summer? I’ve learned so many things since then.

In the summer of 2012, I went to Italy and from then on, I studied Italian every day.

Answer 29

Ci vediamo allora.

Fino ad allora, pensavo che lui fosse la mia anima gemella.

Ti ricordi il mio livello di italiano dell’estate scorsa? Ho imparato tante cose da allora.

Nell’estate di 2012, sono andato in Italia e da allora in poi, ho studiato l’italiano ogni giorno.

Question 30

Mini tutorial on ALLORA (3 of 5)

Case 3: Well. In this case “allora” is being used in the typical way that we use “well” in English to reach some sort of conclusion, like “Well, let’s go then.”

Good, well, since he’s not coming, let’s go to dinner.

Well, now I have to learn how one uses prepositions in Italian.

Well, the city where I live isn’t much.

Answer 30

Bene, allora, dato che lui non arriva, andiamo a cena.

Allora, adesso devo imparare come si usano le preposizioni in italiano.

Allora, la città dove vivo io non è un granché.

Question 31

Mini tutorial on ALLORA (4 of 5)

Case 4: So, alright. In this case “allora” is being used to introduce a new statement or transition to a new topic.

All right, let’s start with the lesson

So, what do you think about it?

So, what are we doing tonight.

So, what do you want to eat for dinner?

So how can I succeed in learning Italian?

Answer 31

Allora, iniziamo con la lezione.

Allora, cosa ne pensi?

Allora, che facciamo stasera?

Allora, che vuoi mangiare per cena?

Allora come riesco a imparare l’italiano?

Question 32

Mini tutorial on ALLORA (5 of 5)

Case 5: Expressions using “allora”:

And so what?

From then

From then on

Until then.

Answer 32

E allora?

Da allora

Da allora in poi

Fino ad allora

Question 33

Mini tutorial on ANZI

Defined as: In fact, actually, on the contrary, rather

Used to express an objection or confirmation to something that has already been said or a question asked of you. Generally, it refers to the fact that there is more to say about a topic that confirms, underlines, or refutes the main point.

Person 1: Am I disturbing you?

Person 2: No, rather…I am really happy to see you.

I want you always, in fact, more than ever.

Person 1: Confetti not allowed at Carnevale

Person 2: On the contrary, it’s not true

Person 1: Is this (seat) taken?

Person 2: No, go right ahead.

COMMON EXPRESSIONS

Just a moment ago

First of all

Afore/in front (Not common, but formal and old)

Answer 33

Person 1: Disturbo?

Person 2: Ma no, anzi. Sono molto contento di vederti.

Ti voglio sempre, anzi di più.

Person 1: Confetti vietati a Carnevale

Person 2: Anzi, no!

Person 1: È occupato qui?

Person 2: No, anzi!

COMMON EXPRESSIONS

poc’anzi

anzitutto/innanzitutto

innanzi/dinanzi

Question 34

Mini tutorial on TRATTARE/TRATTARSI

Most common use looks like reflexive, but is IMPERSONAL. It refers to subject that was previously identified.

Example 1:

A: What do you have inside that heavy backpack?

B: It is the material for a cave exploration.

Example 2:

A: The majority of Italians did not vote for them.

B: No, but it was still a signficant number.

It also means TO TREAT:

Example 3:

I treat my dog well.

It can also be reflexive. I saw some examples on italki but wasn’t convinced they were right, so omitted them. Most the of the time it is impersonal. It is used widely in that form.

Answer 34

Example 1:

A: Cosa hai dentro quello zaino pesante?

B: Si tratta del materiale per una esplorazione in grotta.

Example 2:

A: La maggioranza degli italiani non li ha votati.

B: No, Ma si è trattato communque di un numero significato.

Example 3:

Io tratto bene il mio cane.