Learn Italian: a beginner's journey

Italy is known throughout the world for its rich culture, art, cuisine... and for its gestures! Anyone who has had the opportunity to interact with an Italian knows how expressive they are when communicating, and gestures are an essential part of this expressiveness. In this article we will explore some of the most common Italian gestures and their meanings, along with some interesting facts about how the same gestures can be interpreted differently in other cultures. 1. The 'What do you want'? If you happen to see an Italian speaking, you have probably noticed this gesture. By joining all the fingers of the hand with the thumb, a sort of cone is formed that moves up and down. This gesture expresses confusion or frustration and can be translated as ' what do you want ' or 'what are you saying'. It is one of the most iconic symbols of being Italian. 2. The hand under the chin - I don't care By placing the fingers of the hand, excluding the thumb, under the c...

Greetings are one of the most important parts of any language, and in Italian they have a special cultural significance. Knowing how to greet someone properly is not just about being polite - it is also the first step to making a good impression and connecting with others in a meaningful way. Italian greetings vary depending on the time of day, the level of formality and whether you're arriving or departing. From the casual "Ciao" to the more formal "Buongiorno" or "Arrivederci", each greeting reflects the warm and hospitable nature of Italian culture. In this lesson we'll guide you through the most common Italian greetings, both formal and informal, and explain when and how to use them. We'll also give you some tips on how to navigate the nuances of Italian social etiquette so that you can greet people confidently in any situation. Let's get started! 1. Greetings in Italian when meeting someone Informal greeting CIAO - this is the inform...