3 Italian idioms with the word "pacchia"

Hi, everybody! I am Luca and this amazing video is aimed at those who are learning Italian as a foreign language.

I'm referring to both those learning Italian as an autodidact, i.e. on their own, and those who are attending an Italian language course, for instance in an Italian language school or at university.

Specifically, this video is aimed at those who have already learned basic Italian and wish to improve their level by learning new useful phrases.

In this video, in fact, I would like to explain a number of idiomatic phrases with the word "PACCHIA".

Alright! Basically, there are two types of idioms with this word. On the one hand, we have phrases such as "Che pacchia!" (exclamation point). Or: "È proprio una pacchia! (exclamation point). On the other hand, there are phrases such as "È finita la pacchia!" (exclamation point).

Alright! You probably don't know the word "pacchia".

You may know the adjective "pacchiano", pacchiana","pacchiani", "pacchiane". This adjective is used to refer to something perceived as too showy. That is, something tacky, something crass.

Then there's the noun "pacchianata" which is used to refer to something showy. That is, to something gross, something tacky.

These two words, "pacchiano" and "pacchianata", are typically used in reference to something showy which you can't help noticing, and which, as soon as you notice it, makes you think: That's gross! That's way too flashy!

That being said, the word "pacchia", the noun "pacchia" used how I'm gonna explain has little to do with the noun "pacchianata" and the adjective "pacchiano". Basically, they are two different things.

In fact, the noun "pacchia" is used to refer to a certain way of living, to a lifestyle, which is very enjoyable and essentially requires little effort and no hustle, while giving you many benefits and advantages. That is, a very enjoyable situation.

So you can see that, if in reference to a situation I say "Che pacchia!" (exclamation point), it is as if I said:

"Che bello!"

"Che vita piacevole!"

"Che cosa piacevole!"

"Che situazione piacevole".

Well, the phrase "Che pacchia!" (exclamation point) is used to comment such situation. An enjoyable situation where you don't have to hustle. Where you don't really need to work hard.

For example, if you are used to wake up, I don't know, at 5 a.m., because you have to go to work, then one day they assign you another shift and you no longer need to wake up at 5 a.m., but, for instance, at 9 a.m., if you like this change, you could comment this way: "Che pacchia!"

Meaning: That's great! I no longer need to wake up so early, I can wake up later. To me, this fact is like a party.

This idiomatic phrase could also be worded as follows: "Certo che è proprio una pacchia!".

Which means: this situation is really great, it is really enjoyable, because I don't have to hustle, I don't have to work hard, it's like being on holiday, so to speak.

So "pacchia", if you will, refers to the opposite of a difficult, hard situation where you really need to work hard.

Like I said, this is one way of using the word "pacchia". There's also another idiom, which is usually worded as follows: "La pacchia è finita!" (exclamation point). Or: "È finita la pacchia!" (exclamation point).

This idiom roughly means: the party is over! And it is typically used in reference to a situation where, for example, someone got used to doing nothing, to getting several advantages and benefits without working hard.

Well, if someone says "È finita la pacchia!", they mean: that period is over, from now on you will need to hustle, if you want to continue getting those advantages and benefits. Like I said, this is similar to saying: "È finita la festa", "La festa è finita!".

This idiom is often used in reference to people who for instance get things for free, without paying for them, and, if someone says "È finita la pacchia", they mean: the time where you would get these things for free has ended. Now, if you want them, you'll need to pay.

I don't know if you know the phrase "When the cat's away, the mice will play", right? Well, in a sense the phrase "è finita la pacchia" refers to the moment when the cat comes back.

I mean, given that the cat was away, the mice did what they wanted. Then the cat comes back, and the cat could say "È finita la pacchia", that is: You can't keep doing what you want.

Like I said, "la pacchia" often refers to the fact that someone is not working, not hustling, while getting some advantages or something for free.

In theory, the phrase "è finita la pacchia" may also be a reference to the fact that people did what they wanted.

And, for example, if you work in a company, right? And, say, have a supervisor, right? It is very likely that, when your supervisor is there, you work better, because you are aware that he is watching you, or in any case that he is there in the office.

Then, if you find out that your supervisor will need to go on a business trip, that is, he will be in another office for one week, you will probably like this piece of news. And you could say: "Did you hear that Paolo will go on a business trip for one week? Che pacchia!" What does it mean? That's amazing! In other words: we'll need to work less, it will be like being at a party.

Similarly, when Paolo, your supervisor, comes back from his business trip, you can say "è finita la pacchia".

Well, that is it! I hope you liked this Italian idiom!

That being said, goodbye for now! Until next time!