ItalianPod101.com Blog

Numbers are one of the first things we learn when we’re kids. They seem really simple, right? But while numbers are written the same way in every (Western) language, they’re not only pronounced differently, but also used differently from country to country. Buying groceries, telling your age, giving your phone number, or letting someone know your home address in Italy. To do any of these basic actions, you’ll need to master Italian numbers. Numbers are everywhere, so you better start practicing them. Don't forget to check out ItalianPod101.com for a complete lesson on how to master Italian numbers to learn Italian more completely. You can also find complementary info for the numbers in Italian courses. In the meantime, here’s our... Show more

You're learning to speak Italian, and it's going well. Your confidence is growing! So much so that you feel ready to share your experiences on social media—in Italian. At Learn Italian, we make this easy for you to get it right the first time. Post like a boss with these phrases and guidelines, and get to practice your Italian in the process. 1. Talking about Your Restaurant Visit in Italian Eating out is fun, and often an experience you'd like to share. Take a pic, and start a conversation on social media in Italian. Your friend will be amazed by your language skills...and perhaps your taste in restaurants! Matteo eats at a restaurant with his friends, posts an image of it, and leaves this comment: POST Let's break down... Show more

Each year, Italy observes its National Unity and Armed Forces Day in commemoration of its victory in WWI while part of the Allies. While this is no longer considered a public holiday, Italy’s National Unity Day still holds some relevance to the Italian people, who continue to put on celebrations and special events. In this article, you’ll learn the most pertinent facts about National Unity Day and Armed Forces Day in Italy. At ItalianPod101.com, we hope to make every aspect of your learning journey both fun and informative! 1. What is National Unity Day in Italy? As mentioned earlier, National Unity Day and Armed Forces Day in Italy commemorates the country’s WWI victory. Following this victory, Italy also conquered Trento... Show more

Learning how to say “I’m sorry” in a foreign language is a crucial step in assimilating not only its grammar and vocabulary, but also its culture. This is why we at ItalianPod101 have decided to write an extensive guide about how to say sorry in Italian. Reading this article, you’ll discover how to say “I’m sorry” in Italian with your words and with your body language. Moreover, you’ll find out how to say sorry in Italian in different circumstances and to different people. Everyone makes mistakes from time to time. Don’t let them devastate your relationships with your Italian friends, relatives, colleagues, or other special people in your life. Learn how to say “I apologize” in Italian in the most effective way and take care of your... Show more

Body language is such an important part of communication for both humans and animals. Charles Darwin dedicated years of study to this topic, writing his famous essay, The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals. And among humans, animals, and other creatures, those that use body language the most are Italians. Italian body gestures—and, specifically, Italian hand gestures—are a complex, marvelous completion to the language, adding the emphasis Italians love so much, and sometimes even replacing the words. Body gestures in speaking Italian have the ability to add so much flair. That’s why it’s so important for everyone who loves Italy and the Italian language to learn these gestures. And we at ItalianPod101.com are here to help... Show more

What is the Italian holiday Ferragosto? The name may sound a bit odd, as it refers to the month the holiday takes place in (August), and not the holiday itself. Simply put, Ferragosto is Italy’s version of the Assumption celebration, which commemorates the assumption of the Virgin Mary into Heaven. At ItalianPod101.com, we hope to make learning about the Italian Ferragosto holiday both fun and informative, as we peel back layers of Italy’s unique culture and its religious traditions. After all, this is key in truly mastering any language! 1. What is Ferragosto? Ferragosto is the Italian word for the mid-August holiday, and this is the festival of the Assumption of Mary. That is, the day when, according to the Catholic... Show more

A language is like a country which is connected to others by borders, relations, connections, and history—yet is somehow still separate from them. This is true in every aspect, even when talking about the most global phenomenon you can imagine: the internet. Every language on earth has its own internet and text messaging slang, Italian included. Learning the Italian internet slang is, therefore, an important step in becoming a real master of the language. Without it, how will you chat and text with your Italian friends? Here at ItalianPod101 we'll show you everything you need to know about Italian text abbreviations and slang on the internet and in SMS. Table of Contents Italians on the Net: A Few Data About the Internet in... Show more

Do you know what the Italian expression Boh! means? Boh! Exactly! That’s the correct answer. ;) (Don’t worry, we’ll tell you all about Boh! in a minute.) Every language has words that don’t translate easily to other languages. We've all gotten a little crazy trying to translate them or just understand what they mean: They are the dreaded untranslatable words! There are many untranslatable Italian words, and we’ve selected the ten most-used by Italians to share with you. Because, let’s face it, you’re always bound to come across untranslatable words in learning Italian. But why do we care? Because these untranslatable expressions are exactly what make languages and cultures different and interesting. Very often, these untranslatable... Show more

Do you want to make a good first impression on your new Italian friends or colleagues? Learning how to introduce yourself in Italian is definitely the very first skill that you’ll need in order to master that important first impression and to make new Italian friends. So, let’s start with the very basic phrases you’ll need in order to introduce yourself in the Italian language. Ciao! (“Hello!”) Mi chiamo... (Literally “I’m called…”) Piacere di conoscerti! (“Nice to meet you”) Introducing yourself in Italian is more than learning how to say correctly in Italian “Hello, my name is…” (Ciao, mi chiamo...). Of course, talking about your name in Italian is the very first stone upon which you build the entire... Show more

Watching Italian movies is a great way to improve your learning while at the same time having fun and living your passion for cinema. Similar to TV series, Italian films allow you to dive deep into the language and culture of this wonderful country, without having to face grammar exercises or difficult orthography rules. You can literally just chill and relax on your couch, while learning Italian! That’s why we at ItalianPod101 have created this up-to-date and comprehensive list of the eight best Italian movies to learn Italian. Together with every movie’s plot and info, you’ll find some of its most unforgettable quotes. You certainly won’t be lacking in cultural education or true engagement when you choose to learn Italian through... Show more