Advanced Italian - level C1/C2

In this video I'll explain 5 things you don't know about the Italian language. Or rather, five things you don't know, if you aren't an Italian native speaker.

If Italian is not your first language, you've come to the right place!

In this video I'm gonna explain to you five things which aren't usually taught in Italian classes... - Wrong intonation! Ok!

In this video I'm gonna explain to you five things which aren't typically taught in Italian courses. By "things" I mean Italian verbs, idiomatic phrases and sayings which aren't usually explained.

But let's not waste time and let's jump straight into the first thing!

Round one

The first thing I would like to explain is the phrase "fare comodo a qualcuno".

Chances are you don't know this phrase, because it isn't usually taught in Italian courses.

I'm gonna give you an example with this phrase right away!

"Il mese prossimo spero di guadagnare di più. Qualche soldo in più mi farebbe comodo". What does it mean? Some additional money would come in handy.

Another example sentence could be the following: "Ho troppo lavoro. Mi farebbe comodo un assistente" What does this sentence mean? I could use an assistant. I would need an assistant. An assistant would be useful to me.

Another example sentence could be: "Marta ti ha detto così perché le fa comodo". What does it mean? She told you that because it was convenient for her. Telling you that was useful to her. That is, in other words, she gained something from telling you that, and this is the reason why she told you that.

Another example could be this: "Alcuni insegnanti ti dicono che puoi imparare l'italiano senza fatica e in modo automatico. Ti dicono così perché gli fa comodo". What does it mean? Saying that is beneficial for these people. Saying that is profitable for these people. In other words, by saying that, these people gain something, they have an interest in saying that.

But let's see what's the second thing that you may not know about the Italian language!

Round two

The second thing I would like to explain is the verb "rivangare".

This verb comes from the word "vanga". "La vanga" is a tool used for digging and moving earth. It is used, for example, in the fields and in vegetable gardens. Basically, "la vanga" is particular type of spade with a triangular blade.

In the literal sense, "rivangare" means digging up again with a spade. However, this verb isn't typically used in the literal sense, but in the figurative sense.

In the figurative sense, "rivangare" means starting to talk again about past things or stories which ended a long time ago. In particular, when these are unpleasant and it would be better not to talk about them anymore.

So you will often hear this verb in calls such as: "Non rivangare il passato!" Or: "Non..." "Non..." - I can't speak! "Non rivanghiamo il passato! Non parliamone più di questa cosa!"

For example, if someone recalls an unpleasant event from the past, they could be told: "Non rivangare il passato!" What does it mean? Don't disinter this unpleasant thing which has been buried. That is, don't use a spade to unearth this unpleasant thing which has been buried and about which it would be better not to talk anymore.

But let's see the third thing you may not know about the Italian language!

Round three

The third thing I wanted to explain is the idiom "mettere qualcosa sottosopra".

The word "sottosopra" is an adverb.

I'm gonna give you straight away an example sentence with this idiomatic phrase!

"Quando abbiamo fatto la ristrutturazione, gli operai hanno messo la casa sottosopra".

Or, an even less pleasant example could be the following: "I ladri hanno messo la casa sottosopra".

What does the phrase "mettere qualcosa sottosopra" mean? In the literal sense, it means putting the top part down and vice versa. In the figurative and idiomatic sense, it means leaving something all messed up.

So, if I say "gli operai hanno messo la casa sottosopra", it means that the workers made a complete mess. While working, they moved everything, they didn't leave the things where they were, they moved everything and made a mess.

But let's see what's the fourth thing that you may not know about the Italian language!

Round four

The fourth thing I would like to explain is the verb "ingozzarsi".

This verb is very vivid and is mostly used in speaking, and it essentially means gorging oneself. Specifically, this verb is used in reference to someone who eats fast and way too much.

Someone who "si ingozza" is not just someone who eats a lot and stuffs themselves with food: it is someone who eats fast and abnormally, so to speak, they eat greedily.

An example sentence could be: "Mangia piano, non ingozzarti!".

Another example could be: "Luigi dovrebbe mangiare di meno. Si ingozza come un maiale!"

Another example could be: "Molte persone fanno l'aperitivo soltanto per ingozzarsi".

I don't know if you know what the word "aperitivo" means. In Italy, in some places, in some pubs, you can have "l'aperitivo". Basically, you order something to drink, for example a beer, and then you can eat whatever you want.

Meaning that there is a table with some plates and those who are having "l'aperitivo" can take whatever they want. So, usually, if someone has payed for their drink, they can eat all that they want and in theory there are no limits.

So it's obvious that many people, when they have "l'aperitivo", - what do they do? They pig out. That is, they try to eat as much and as fast as possible.

But let's see the fifth thing which I would like to explain!

Round five

The fifth thing I would like to discuss is the idiomatic phrase "Si chiama Pietro!"

This idiom is used when someone lends something to someone else. Specifically, this phrase is used to place emphasis on the fact that this thing has been lent, it's not a gift.

For example, if someone lends you a pen, while handing the pen to you, they may say: "Si chiama Pietro!"

Needless to say, Pietro is not the name of the pen, pens usually don't have a name. Or at least, normal people don't give name to pens.

However, if someone tells you "Si chiama Pietro!", they mean that, once you finish using the pen, you should give it back to them. So they mean that it's not a gift, they are just lending it to you.

Why do people say "Si chiama Pietro"? Because in fact "Si chiama Pietro" is just the first part of a rhyme. The rhyme is: "Si chiama Pietro, perché torna indietro".

So, well, if someone tells you "Si chiama Pietro", they mean that they expect to get that object back.

Well, I hope that this video lesson has helped you learn new things about the Italian language!

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In the meanwhile, up here I'm gonna add a card to another video that you might wanna watch.

And may the Force of the Italian language be with you!