According to me, Italian is the most romantic language in the world. You may think I’m biased, seeing my story and travels but hear me out. Over the years I’ve realized that even the most boring words in Italian are beautiful sounding and definitely more sexy. I know for a fact that locals would probably not understand this but if you’re a foreigner learning Italian, I’m sure you’re equally smitten by the language! I mean who would think the Italian word for trash/garbage would be so lovely??! It is spazzatura by the way 😉 So this thought pushed me to make a list of the most ordinary, regular and simple 23 words that prove Italian is the most beautiful language!
A request- please be kind if there’s a mistake or a spelling error. I’m a language learner and not an Italian teacher. I’m passionate about studying the Italian language and I’m only here to share it with all of you!
23 Words that Prove Italian is the Most Beautiful Language
1. Piccolezza- smallness, minuteness or a little thing
2. Esasperante- Infuriating, irritating, annoying etc (depends on context of usage)
3. Dondolare- this is a verb which means to bob, swing or sway
4. Zanzariera- mosquito net!
5. Pellegrinaggio- pilgrimage (remember to break the word to pronounce it correctly!)
6. Squallido-bleak, sullen, gloomy, dreary etc. (depends on context of usage)
7. Zelo- enthusiasm or zeal
8. Sedurre- this is a verb which means to entice or seduce
9. Indovino- seer or a fortune teller
Fun fact: the verb “indovinare” means take a guess!
10. Alquanto- quite, almost, kind of, rather
11. Pungente- pungent
12. Prevedibile- predictable
13. Menzogna- lie, falsehood or deception
14. Sfuggevole- fleeting, elusive
15. Spettro- spectrum
16. Biancastra- off-white, whitish
Fun fact: I read the word biancastra in Tiziano Terzani’s “Un Indovino mi disse”. It stayed with me because he was explaining a particular road in Vietnam. This book explores the author’s travels in South East Asia.
17. Razzo- flare or a rocket
18. Rimembranza- remembrance (be careful of the Italian spelling!)
19. Sobborgo- suburb
20. Gelsomino- jasmine
21. Sconclusionato- inconclusive, illogical, irrelevant
22. Rametto- twig or small branch
23. Intrappolare- this is a verb which means to trap or ensnare
Which of these words were new to you?? 🙂
Also Read:
- Best way to learn Italian on your own
- How to prepare for the CILS exam
- Studying Italian for CILS B2 Exam
- 5 Italian Language Books for Intermediate Level
- 15 Italian Words related to Environment
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Don’t forget to see my Italian language learning tips on IGTV here!
8 Comments
LuLu B - Calabrisella Mia
December 29, 2020 at 3:09 pmThese are great! I love the verb dondolare.
Italophilia
December 30, 2020 at 10:06 amThanks Lulu. I love it too 😀 Happy 2021!
Manja Mexi
December 26, 2020 at 2:58 amWhat a great collection again, Ishita! I just went through your list with amore. Many of these words were new for me, for example zelo, menzogna and alquanto. I asked him why he was not using these words more often, hehe. And you’re right, spazzatura is a great word, but pungente not so much. 😉 I love Karen’s comment above! My favourite of these is dondolare, followed by gelsomino. Keep it up, I love learning Italian by way of your selections.
Italophilia
December 28, 2020 at 9:26 amOh wow, if amore approved, I love them more 😉 Thanks so much. I love these words and they are my hard work from few weeks. I loved gelsomino too.
Cristina
December 25, 2020 at 12:29 amI totally agree Ishita! The Italian language is so musical, even a phrase like Immundizia Puzzolente sounds like a movie star diva’s name when in fact it means stinky mound of garbage! I wrote a short story once with a diva character I gave that name to! Here’s to a new and improved year where we can hopefully get back to Italia! Buone Feste, Cristina
Italophilia
December 25, 2020 at 9:43 amYou’re so right. And wow what a word! Thanks for sharing. Buone feste carissima!
KareninCalabria
December 24, 2020 at 11:55 amAre you trying to intrappolarci, dandolando queste piccolezze before our eyes? You are seducendo us with your zelo!
Italophilia
December 24, 2020 at 12:00 pmHahahahhah!! I love this Karen. What a smart comment 😉 Si, that’s the plan!! But you know when I learn new words I rarely use them in regular sentences. Ugh, its so hard.