The words and phrases are listed as they appear in the texts, with meanings appropriate to the contexts. Longer speeches or dialogue, quotations, and words or phrases needing explanation are handled in the Explanatory Notes, as are expressions in other languages.
Andiamo | Let’s go |
bacio | kiss |
Bagni | bathing-places |
bagnio | bath-house, brothel |
bambino | baby boy, child |
barca | boat |
bar(r)occino | small, light cart |
basta | enough, stop |
Basta la mossa | The impulse is enough |
bella | beautiful (feminine) |
bellissimo, bellissimo | most beautiful, most beautiful |
bello | beautiful (masculine) |
bel pezzo | goodlooking person (colloquial) |
bersaglieri | Italian infantry regiment of sharpshooters |
bistecca | beef-steak |
bottiglione | large bottle |
cachi | persimmons |
cambio | exchange |
cantina | canteen, taven |
carabinieri | soldiers who are also policemen |
carretto | light cart, usually two-wheeled |
c’è | there is |
Ciau | Bye (DHL’s phonetic spelling of ‘Ciao’) |
contadini | peasants |
conversazione | conversation |
cortile | courtyard |
Cristo del mondo | Christ of the world |
Da Vendere | For Sale |
Dazio | Customs office |
Dio | God |
Dio benedetto | blessed God |
diretto | direct, fast train |
dispensa | pantry |
e | and |
ecco | look, behold, see |
Eh va bene | Oh, very well |
È qua | He’s here |
Evviva | Long live, Hurrah |
fattorie | farms |
Ferrovia dello Stato | State Railway |
fiasco | flask, bottle |
Finalmente | At last |
finissimo | the finest |
finocchi(o) | fennel |
Francia | France |
fresco | fresh, cool |
Germania | Germany |
già | now, right, truly |
girovago | wanderer |
Grazia, mamma | Thank you, mother |
ignoranti | ignorant people |
II Brillante | Comic actor (‘The Brilliant’) |
Inghilterra | England |
in padella | fried in oil or butter |
libeccio | south-west wind |
ma che | but why |
maestra | primary-school mistress |
maialino | piglet |
maremma | marsh |
maremmano | male inhabitant of the Maremma |
merce | goods, goods train |
mezzo-giorno | midday |
Mio figlio | My son |
molto bello | very beautiful |
molto simpatico | very agreeable |
mortadella | Bologna sausage |
nervoso | nervy, cranky |
Niente | Nothing; It’s nothing |
Non è vero | Is it not true |
Non lo conosco | I don’t know it |
padrona | landlady |
padrone | landlord |
pane | bread |
parlano inglese | you speak English |
Per Dio | By God |
per divertimento | for pleasure, amusement |
Per l’amor di Dio | For the love of God |
però | however |
piazza | public square |
podestà | magistrate, mayor |
Poveri | Poor |
Poverino | Poor fellow |
Pronto | Ready |
proprio selvatico | really wild |
Quattro Canti | crossroad (‘Four Corners’) |
Regina | Queen |
sacco militario | soldier’s knapsack |
salsiccia | sausage |
Sangue di Dio | God’s Blood |
senza servizio | without service |
Si | Yes (properly with an accent: Sì) |
Siamo qua | We are here |
si capisce | it is understood |
sicuro (siccuro) | sure; certainly |
signora | Mrs, lady, madam |
signore | Mr, gentleman., sir |
signorina | Miss, young woman |
Silenzio | Silence |
simpatico | pleasing, congenial |
soldi | money |
sparacelli | wild asparagus |
stanza | room |
Strada Nuova | New Road |
Strada Vecchia | Old Road |
Syndaco | Mayor (properly Sìndaco) |
una dramma inglese | an English play |
veramente | indeed, truly |
Vieni qua | Come here |
vino | wine |
zoccoli | clogs |