30 Minute Italian

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**30 Minute Italian**

Boost your confidence in speaking Italian in 30 minutes or less with the 30 Minute Italian Podcast. We cover expressions, sometimes sexy grammar, and culture through personal travel stories and detailed examples.

Latest Episodes:

Dinner Conversation Feb 03, 2019

Show notes

1.) Qual è il tuo piatto preferito? - What's your favorite Italian dish?

2.) Cosa prendi? - What are you getting?

3.) Che tipo di vino è? - What type of wine is this?

4.) Non ci sono mai stato/a! - I've never been here before.

5.) Come si chiama quel ristorante? - What's the name of this restaurant?

6.) Prepari i piatti italiani a casa? - Do you make Italian food at home?

7.) Cos'hai fatto oggi? - What did you do today?

8.) Cosa faremo domani? - What are we doing tomorrow?

9.) Brindiamo! - Let's cheers!

10.) A cosa brindiamo? - What are we toasting to?

11.) Mamma mia questa è la cosa più buona che abbia mai assaggiato in vita mia! - My goodness, this is the best thing that I've ever tasted in my life!

12.) Credo proprio che questo diventerà il mio ristorante preferito… - I really think this will become my favorite restaurant…

13.) Cosa hai comprato al mercato? - What did you buy at the market?

14.) Sei andato/a a quale museo? - Which museum did you go to?

15.) Ho comprato (questa borsa) al mercato centrale. - I bought (this purse) at the central market.

16) Siamo andati/e al museo con una guida. È stata la mia prima volta che ho visto il Davide! - We went to the museum with a tour guide. It was my first time seeing the

David!

1.) Quali risorse usi per studiare l'Italiano? - What resources are you using to study

Italian?

2.) Quando è / sarà il tuo prossimo viaggio in Italia? - When is your next trip to Italy?

3.) Qual è la tua regione preferita d'Italia? - What's your favorite region of Italy?

4.) Raccontami… – Tell me…

del tuo viaggio preferito in Italia – about your favorite trip to Italy
del tuo lavoro – about your job
dei tuoi progetti in Italia - about your plans in Italy

For more resources go to:

http://icebergproject.co/italian

Special thanks to The Creative Impostor Studios for producing this show.

Like the podcast? Leave a review in Apple Podcasts!

If you like the podcast, I would appreciate it a TON if you left a review. You can hit a star rating in your Podcasts app on your iPhone or go to the iTunes store and click Leave a Review on the show page.

(Native Italian Recording) Making Plans Jan 31, 2019

Show notes

Ciao mia cara,

Come stai? È veramente un sacco che non ci sentiamo. Senti, mi sei venuta in mente perché ho sentito che hanno aperto un nuovo locale che sembra molto carino vicino Piazza della Repubblica e che stanno facendo degli aperitivi promozionali. Insomma si prende un drink, si mangia qualcosa, e costa sette euro ma mi hanno detto che il cibo è molto buono.

Allora mi domandavo se per caso eri disponibile per andare insieme a provare questo nuovo posto. Così nell'occasione facciamo due chiacchiere e mi aggiorni un po' sulla tua vita perché veramente è passato troppo tempo e non ci siamo più sentite.

Anch'io ho sacco di cose da raccontarti - Ho cambiato casa, ho fatto delle modifiche sul mio lavoro. Insomma ci sono tante novità però te le vorrei raccontare faccia a faccia perché di fronte a uno spritz si parla sempre meglio, no? E quindi… questa è la mia proposta, io sono abbastanza flessibile in questi giorni, quindi fammi sapere tu come sei messa. D'accordo? Un bacio.

To learn more about Beatrice and her lessons, you can visit her website http://www.italianoconbeatrice.com/ or email her directly at italianoconbeatrice@gmail.com.

For more resources go to:

http://icebergproject.co/italian

Special thanks to The Creative Impostor Studios for producing this show.

Like the podcast? Leave a review in Apple Podcasts!

Sexy Phrases to Seduce Your Italian Lover Jan 28, 2019

Show notes

While I firmly believe that we should infuse romance and lots of pepper -- as the Italians say -- into our love lives every day, it's not so bad that we have one day a year to do something a bit more special. (Plus, I like getting chocolate, so I won't be the first to complain about the commercialization of love.)

In another article, one of our contributing writers, Hannah, shared romantic Italian words and phrases with you. Then, I gave you some pointers on what to say in the bedroom (in the classiest way, of course). We've talked about what to say on the first date (and what to say when you don't want to go on a date at all). We've even covered what it's like to date an Italian -- both from the perspective of non-Italians and native ones.

All in all, we've really done a thorough job of covering love. But, love being how it is, there is always more to say about it.

So, this time around, we (that is, Rachel, Carlotta & I) thought we would make this list a little steamier. The phrases below are divided by ratings, so if you're feeling extra saucy, head over to http://icebergprojec.co/italian and scroll on down to very bottom.

-- Mi piace come mi baci. - I like how you kiss me.

Alternatively: Mi piace essere baciato/a da te. - I like being kissed by you.

-- Vorrei che questo abbraccio non finisse mai. - I wish this hug would never end. (Aw!)

-- Quando chiudo gli occhi la sera, l'ultima cosa a cui penso sei sempre tu. - When I close my eyes at night, the last thing I think about is always you. (Stopppp.)

-- Non mi stancherei mai di parlare con te. - I would never get tired of talking to you. (Okay, THIS one.)

-- Mi manca il tuo sorriso bellissimo. - I miss your beautiful smile.

-- Sei la cosa più bella che mi sia capitata fino ad ora. - You're the most beautiful / wonderful thing that's happened to me so far.

-- Non riesco a smettere di pensarti / Non riesco a toglierti dalla testa. - I can't stop thinking about you.

-- Sei tutto il mio mondo. - You're my whole world.

-- Sei la metà della mia mela. - You're my soulmate. (Literally: You're my half-apple.)

Um, a word of wisdom from the ladies writing this to the men reading it, don't say this: Tuo padre doveva essere un ladro, perché è riuscito a rubare dal cielo le stelle più belle per metterle al posto dei tuoi occhi. - Your father must have been a thief because he succeeded in stealing the most beautiful stars in the sky to put in place of your eyes.

-- Ti aspetto. - I'm waiting for you.

-- Ti voglio. - I want you.

-- Ho voglia di te. - I desire you

-- Ti immagino qui con me. - I am imagining you here with me.

-- Vorrei alzarmi tutte le mattine accanto a te. - I wish I could wake up every morning next to you.

-- Ho voglia delle tue coccole. - I want your cuddles. PG-13

-- Non vedo l'ora di sentire le tue mani su di me. - I can't wait to feel your hands on me.

-- Cosa vuoi che faccia? - What do you want me to do?

(and geeky grammar sidenote, this is a great example of the subjunctive mood in action.)

-- Ho una fantasia. La vuoi sentire? - I have a fantasy. Do you want to hear it?

-- Mi ecciti così tanto. - You really turn me on.

-- Voglio che mi baci qui… e qui… e anche qui. - I want you to kiss me here… and here… and also here.

-- Baciami dappertutto! - Kiss me everywhere!

-- Facciamo un gioco? - Do you want to play a game?

-- Chiudi gli occhi e siediti qui… - Close your eyes and sit here…

For more (including some racier options) go to:

http://icebergproject.co/italian

Special thanks to The Creative Impostor Studios for producing this show.

Like the podcast? Leave a review in Apple Podcasts!

False Friends in Italian Jan 28, 2019

Show notes

Ripetere does indeed mean to repeat.

Avocado means avocado.

There have been many a time where I've guessed a word relying solely on English and have added an Italian ending… and I've been right.

And there have been many other times where I've guessed based solely on my English and have been very, sometimes embarrassingly, wrong.

I'm guessing I'm not the only one. That's why I thought it could be interesting to put together an episode of some of the most common false friends in Italian - the words that seem friendly because they're so close to English but then turn around and trick you.

1.) Ultimamente - Recently, lately - I thought it meant 'ultimately', ALLA FINE

2.) Camera - Room - Not photography camera, macchina fotografica

3.) Casino - mess - Not casino where you gamble

4.) Preservativo - Condom - NOT a preservative (conservante) in foods or like jam (marmellata)

5.) Attualmente - now, currently - NOT actually, in realtà

6.) Le terme - thermal baths - NOT school term

7.) I parenti - relatives - NOT parents, genitori

8.) Scheda - sheet, card, note paper - NOT a schedule, orario

9.) Comprensivo - understanding - NOT comprehensive, completo, esauriente

10.) Crudo - Raw - NOT crude - rozzo, esplicito

11.) Educato - polite - NOT educated, erudito

12.) Libreria - bookstore - NOT a library, biblioteca

13.) Noioso - boring - NOT noisy, rumoroso

14.) Sensibile - sensitive - NOT sensible, ragionevole

15.) Fattoria - farm - Factory - fabbrica -

16.) Accidente - stroke, shock - NOT accident, incidente

17.) Attendere - to wait - NOT to attend (an event), andare a, partecipare a

For more Italian resources visit http://icebergproject.co/italian

Special thanks to The Creative Impostors Studios for producing this show.

Like the podcast? Leave a review in Apple Podcasts!

Italian Insults That Will Make You Laugh Out Loud Jan 27, 2019

Show notes

There is something so satisfying about learning swear words in another language. That's why so many new language learners rush to ask native speakers how to say things like, "f*** you" and "you're an idiot."

After Rachel wrote this article with 8 swear words to add sass to your Italian vocabulary, we thought it would only be fair to follow up with another list of insults.

They range from affectionately rude (like to tease your friends) all the way to when you're really angry, or when you're incazzato nero (totally pissed off).

Some basic vocab for you:

-- Gli insulti - Insults

-- Insultare - To insult

Affectionately rude

-- Sei pazzo(a)? - Are you crazy?

-- Sei diventato pazzo(a)? - Have you gone crazy?

-- Sei impazzito(a)? - Have you gone insane?

-- Ci sei cascato come una pirla! - You fell for it like a stupid person!

If there's an "a" in parentheses, it means that this adjective can be masculine or feminine. Remember that adjectives also change in number in Italian. If you're unfamiliar with this grammar concept, click here for a refresher.

For more (including one Roman phrase that's extra extra insulting but it's used all over Italy) go to:

http://icebergproject.co/italian

Special thanks to The Creative Impostor Studios for producing this show.

Like the podcast? Leave a review in Apple Podcasts!

Phrases to Order Pizza and Gelato in Italian Jan 17, 2019

Show notes

Ordering Pizza

I really like pasta (cacio e pepe is my favorite), gelato (fragola, every day all day), and cheese (pecorino forever and ever), but pizza? I love pizza.

For the first few weeks that I lived in Rome, the only people I knew were the ones who sold pizza. (If you're ever in Monteverde in Rome, my favorite pizza al taglio shop is the one on Viale Villa Pamphili.)

For those of you who aren't familiar with a pizza al taglio shop, it's basically a place where they make large sheets of varieties of pizza and when you walk in, they cut a piece off for you, hence the "al taglio" part.

They also have delicious fried things like arancini, supplì and depending on the location, roasted chicken and potatoes.r

To help you navigate this experience with more ease and confidence, here are some phrases to know.

-- C'è qualcosa con... (il pesto)? - Is there something with (pesto)?

-- Vorrei / Prendo un pezzetto di quella con il prosciutto. - I would like / I'll talk a little piece of that one with the prosciutto.

-- Quanto? Quanta? Quanto grande? - How big? (At this point, the person will show you how much they're going to cut, and you can say

-- Sì, perfetto. - Yep, perfect.

Or…

-- Un po' meno - A little less

-- Un po' di più - A little more

-- Vuoi / Desideri qualcos'altro? - (Do you want) anything else?

-- Mangi qua o porti via? - Are you eating here or are you taking it away?

-- Porto via. - I'm taking it away.

Ordering Gelato

And after? Of course you'll want to get some gelato.

If there's one thing you want to be able to know like the back of your hand when you go to Italy, it's how to procure yourself a cone of whatever flavor gelato you want.

So, to get you started, here are four must-know phrases.

1 - Vorrei un cono piccolo di / alla (stracciatella). - I would like a small cone of stracciatella gelato.

There is also "un cono medio - a medium cone" and "un cono grande - a large cone." If you prefer a cup, you would use the word "coppetta."

Since you can get different flavors in a small cone, you'll likely be asked…

2- Solo stracciatella? - Just stracciatella?

If you want another flavor, you can say something like "E anche fragola. - And strawberry, too."

3 - Vuoi la panna? - Do you want cream on top?

4 - Altro? - Anything else?

Special thanks to The Creative Impostor Studios for producing this show, to Patreon supporters for helping fund the show, and to the lovely Timarie Harrison for putting all of the pieces together. It takes a village.

NEED HELP PLANNING YOUR TRIP TO THE SOUTH OF ITALY?

Whether you've been wanting to visit the tiny town where your Italian family is from or you're tired of waiting for your friends/family to commit to a trip with you, you need to know Catherine and Nino Santoro. They run a small group tour company that specializes in trips to Sicily, and they're all about helping you become immersed in the language and the culture. For more info to go on a small group tour with them or have them personalize a solo trip for you, visit their website here.

Like the podcast? Leave a review in Apple Podcasts!

http://icebergproject.co/italian

2 Must-Know Connector Words in Italian - Poi and Cosi Jan 13, 2019

Show notes

I'm back to talk to you all about how to use the Italian words "poi" and "così."

I would describe both of these as "connector words," or words that you use to easily and fluidly connect two sentence pieces together.

Let's start with "poi."

ROUND #1: POI

Popular definitions of "poi," as defined by WordReference & Context Reverso, are:

-- Then

-- After

-- Furthermore

-- Additionally

-- Later (on) / Afterwards

-- Next

-- Plus

And, of course, here are some examples to help you get a better idea of how you'll use it in conversation.

WAY #1: Then

-- E poi, mi ha baciato. - And then, he kissed me.

-- Prima sono andato in Italia, e poi sono venuto in Grecia. - First I went to Italy and then I came to Greece.

WAY #2: Next / Plus / Furthermore / Additionally

-- ...poi penso che dovremmo andare in Toscana. Che ne pensi? - Next I think we should go to Tuscany. What do you think?

-- E poi, Gal Gadot è un'attrice incredibile. Per questo penso che il film era magnifico. - And plus, Gal Gadot is an incredible actress. That's why I think the movie was amazing.

WAY #3: Later on / Afterwards

-- E poi mi ha detto che mi amavi. - And afterwards, he told me that he loved me.

-- Prima voglio imparare il mandarino e poi imparerò lo spagnolo. - I want to learn Chinese and afterwards I'll learn Spanish.

Common phrases you'll hear:

-- Prima o poi - Sooner or later

-- Col senno di poi - In hindsight

-- D'ora in poi - From this point on

ROUND #2: COSI

"Così" is defined by WordReference & Context Reverso as:

-- So

-- Like this / This way / That way

-- Such

-- Therefore

-- Although

WAY #1: So

-- Sono così stufo di imparare le preposizioni in continuazione! - I'm so tired of learning prepositions over and over again!

-- Lei è così intelligente. - She's so smart.

WAY #2: Like this / This way / That way

-- Non si tagliano le cipolle così! - Don't cut the onions that way.

-- Perchè mi parli così? - Why are you talking to me like that?

WAY #3: Such

-- È stata una giornata così bella. - It was such a great day.

-- Lui è un bambino così tosto. - He's such a stubborn kid.

Common phrases you'll hear:

-- Diciamo così/Mettiamola così - Let's put it this way

-- E così via - And so on and so forth, etc.

-- Basta così - It's good how it is (like when you're at the butcher and she asks you "Is this enough?" and you respond with, "That's enough (as is.)."

Visit http://icebergproject.co/italian for more show notes and resources!

Special thanks to The Creative Impostor Studios for producing this show.

Like the podcast? Leave a review in Apple Podcasts!

Compliments to Give in Italian Jan 10, 2019

Show notes

How do you "fare complimenti" to a person in Italian -- whether it's for how good they look, what they're wearing, their language skills, or just to be polite and show your appreciation?

APPEARANCE

-- Sei in gran forma! - You're in great shape!

-- Quanto sei bello/a. - You're so handsome/beautiful.

-- Ti vedo bene. – You look good.

-- Ha un bell'aspetto. - He looks good.

-- Hai un bell'aspetto, sei in ottima forma, e sei intelligente. Sei il pacchetto completo! - You have good looks, you're in excellent shape, and you're smart. You're the complete package!

-- L'hai visto? È bellissimo, no? - Did you see him? He's really gorgeous, right?

-- Sei molto raffinata nei movimenti. - You're really delicate in your movements.

-- Emma è la classica ragazza acqua e sapone, ha davvero un bel viso anche senza trucco. - Emma is the classical natural beauty, she has a really nice face even without make up!

-- Marco mi incanta quando parla, è così colto! - Marco fascinates me when he talks, he's so cultured!

-- Giulia è la persona più elegante che conosca. - Giulia is the most elegant person I've ever known.

CLOTHING

If you want to be specific with what piece of clothing looks good, you can say:

-- Stai VERAMENTE bene con quel vestito. - You look REALLY good in that dress.

-- Quel completo ti sta perfetto. - That suit looks perfect on you.

-- Sta bene senza camicia. Ha gli addominali a tartaruga! - He looks great without a shirt. He has six-pack abs (literally: turtle abs)!

-- Sei così bella in/con quel colore! Sta bene con i tuoi occhi. - You look so beautiful in that color! It goes well with your eyes.

-- Quella giacca ti sta meravigliosamente! Prendila! – That jacket looks wonderful on you! Buy it!

LANGUAGE SKILLS

-- Il tuo inglese è buono. – Your English is good.

-- Parli bene l'inglese. – You speak English well.

-- Sei bravo/a in italiano. – You're really good in Italian.

GENERAL

-- Hai una bella casa! - You have a beautiful home!

If you want to use the formal, say "Ha una bella casa".

-- La tua cucina è davvero buona. - Your cooking is really good.

-- Cucini davvero bene. - You cook really good.

If you want to use the formal, say "La sua cucina è davvero buona".

-- Hai davvero delle cose belle e particolari nel tuo negozio! - You have nice and unique things in your store!

If you want to use the formal, say "Ha un bel negozio".

-- Sei così gentile con me. - You're so nice to me.

-- Riesci a dare sempre ottimi consigli. - You always give the best advice.

-- Sei davvero una persona educata. - You really are a polite person.

You can find some more compliments in this article: 15 Ways to Say That's Cool/Awesome/Amazing in Italian

Special thanks to The Creative Impostor Studios for producing this show.

Like the podcast? Leave a review in Apple Podcasts!

How to Shop at a Market in Italy Jan 03, 2019

Show notes

Rachel and I walked behind Giacomo, Mary, and Hannah as we snaked our way through the Sant'Ambrogio market in Florence.

Giacomo, our cooking teacher and chef, was leading us to a vegetable stall to buy ingredients for the meal we were going to make that afternoon.

Deep, red radishes and green lettuce covered with droplets of water stood on display with signs displaying il prezzo, l'origine, la varietà, and la categoria.

I watched him pick up cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions, placing each in their own brown bag before handing them to the fruttivendolo.

If you're in Italy, I'm 110% sure that you're going to run into some kind of open market, whether that's inside or outside.

And when you do (hopefully when you're on our Not Your Typical Tourist Language Immersion Retreat), what are you supposed to say and do so you get what you want and avoid making una brutta figura?

Here's a quick guide on vocabulary, phrases to know and the etiquette to follow.

Basic Market Vocabulary

First, there are a handful of different types of markets.

-- Mercato ambulante - Farmers market (in the sense that it sells goods as well as food)

-- Mercato dell'artigianato OR Mercato artigiano - Artisan market

-- Mercato dell'antiquariato - Antique market

-- Mercato del pesce - Fish market

These markets are only open on certain days of the week or the month, so make sure to check the city's schedule in advance.

CPF: San Lorenzo Market is one of Carlotta's favorite places to visit in Florence. Read more about it here.

19 Phrases for Shopping at a Market

-- (if you don't know the word) Prendo (due), per favore. - I'll take (two), please.

-- Mi dà un chilo di (ricotta)? - Can you give me a kilo of (ricotta)?

-- Prendo due etti di olive, per favore. - I'll take a ½ lb of olives, please.

-- Vorrei due etti e mezzo di (castagne). - I'd like two hundred and fifty grams of chestnuts.

-- Oggi faccio la panzanella, avete la cipolla rossa? - I'm making panzanella today, do you have red onion?

-- Quanto costano (le patate)? - How much are (the potatoes)?

-- Quanto viene (il basilico)? - How much is the basil?

-- Basta. - That's enough.

-- Nient'altro, grazie. - That's enough, thank you.

-- Un pò di più. - More.

-- Qualcosa (di) meno. - Less.

-- Poi? - Anything else?

-- Altro? - Anything else?

-- Vuole una busta? / sacchetto? - A bag?

-- Posso chiederle un sacchetto di carta? - Can I ask for a paper bag?

-- Sono tre etti e duecento grammi, che faccio lascio? - It's three hundred and twenty grams, (usually more than the quantity you asked for) do you take it?

If it isn't busy and you'd like some advice on how to prepare whatever you're purchasing, you can ask the vendor…

-- Come si fa questi ravioli? - How does one make these ravioli?

-- Come potrei usare questo ortaggio? Non l'ho mai assaggiato. - How could I use this vegetable? I've never tasted it.

-- Secondo lei queste pesche sono abbastanza dolci? - What do you think about these peaches? Are they sweet enough?

If you're not sure how to handle money in Italian, read this article next.

3 Must-Know Rules to Make a Bella Figura

1) Bring cash. - You can usually assume that all markets will be cash only, so make sure you have plenty on you when you go.

2) Don't touch the produce with your hands. - While I have seen Italians use their hands to pick through produce, it's usually only when the vendor knows the customer well. Otherwise, it's a hygiene issue. Just tell the vendor what you'd like or what you're making and they'll help you pick produce out.

3) Bring your own bag, or pay for one. - If you don't bring your own bag, expect to pay a little extra in change to purchase one.

Like the podcast? Leave a review in Apple Podcasts!

Italian Word Speed Date: Tanto Dec 27, 2018

Show notes

ITALIAN

Rachel: Hai bisogno di qualcosa dal supermercato?

Carlotta: No, no, dai, non ti preoccupare.

Rachel: Macché! Tanto, oggi vado al supermercato comunque.

Have you ever heard an expression like the one above that starts with "tanto?" You might already know that "tanto" means "a lot" but obviously in this case, that translation doesn't make much sense. I hear all the time that this sentence structure is confusing! So what does "tanto" mean when used this way? It's simple, so let me demystify it for you.

In this example, "tanto" is used a bit like, "really," "anyways," or "as" in English. So for example, in the previous dialogue, the conversation might have looked something like this:

ENGLISH

Rachel: Do you need something from the supermarket?

Carlotta: No, no, come on, don't worry about it.

Rachel: Nonsense! Really, I was going to the supermarket today regardless.

Other Examples of "Tanto"

1.) Non abbiamo fretta, tanto andiamo in macchina ci metteremo al massimo 5 minuti.

2.) Tanto anche se piangi non otterrai niente!

3.) Non ti preoccupare se si è rotto, tanto era un oggetto vecchissimo.

4.) Non importa quanto ti ha fatto arrabbiare, tanto appena ti chiama corri ai suoi piedi!

5.) Provaci tu, ma tanto non funziona.

6.) Ho provato a dirglielo in tutti i modi ma è inutile, tanto non vuole ascoltarmi!

7.) Perchè piangi? Tanto ormai il guaio è fatto!

Using "tanto" like this is a very common expression, but at times it's difficult to translate for English speakers since the definition isn't precise. However, thinking about it in terms of "anyways", "as" or "really" in English can help you make sense of everyday conversations in Italy.

Another Way to Use Tanto

When the nouns of a sentence are the same, you use il comparativo di ugualianza, or the comparative of equality.

To do this, you can use a few different forms:

— (così)…come – This is used for adjectives and adverbs; così is in parenthesis because you don't always have to add it.

— (tanto)…quanto – This is used for nouns or adverbs; tanto is in parenthesis because you don't always have to add it.

Esempi

— La torta al cioccolato è (tanto) buona come la torta alla vaniglia. – The chocolate cake is as good as the vanilla cake.

— I ragazzi giocano (tanto) a calcio quanto a basket. – The kids play just as much soccer as they do basketball.

DID YOU KNOW…?

We have a program called the Pronouns Challenge that helps you get better at using… you guessed it… pronouns in Italian. And beato/a te, you get 20% off just by being a listener of the podcast. To claim that discount, click here and enter the code 'LISTENER' at checkout.

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