Looking for a way to spice up your Italian and impress the locals this summer? Italy has no shortage of clever sayings inspired by the sun, the sea, and those sweltering days when even a gelato can’t save you. Here are five expressions you’ll hear all over the peninsula inspired by summer, sea, and heat!
1) A CALDO
Literally: “In the heat“
Figuratively: Used for reacting “on the spot” or “in the heat of the moment”. For example, “Non voglio rispondere a caldo” means “I don’t want to respond right away, while emotions are high”. It’s the perfect excuse to pause before you speak!
2) NON FARE NÉ CALDO NÉ FREDDO
Literally: “To do neither hot nor cold“
Figuratively: This phrase is used when something doesn’t affect you at all. Think of it as the Italian way of saying, “I couldn’t care less”. If someone tells you gossip that doesn’t interest you, you might say, “Non mi fa né caldo né freddo”!
3) METTERE TROPPA CARNE AL FUOCO
Literally: “To put too much meat on the fire“
Figuratively: Taking on too many things at once, just like overloading a grill. The result? Nothing gets cooked properly! Italians use this to warn against spreading yourself too thin.
4) SUDARE SETTE CAMICIE
Literally: “To sweat seven shirts“
Figuratively: This is all about working extremely hard, so much that you’d need seven shirts to soak up all the sweat! It’s a playful way to talk about putting in tons of effort, working really hard to achieve something.
5) ESSERE IN ALTO MARE
Literally: “To be in the high sea“
Figuratively: To be far from finishing something, or still lost in the middle of a project. Picture yourself adrift with no land in sight: there’s still a long way to go!
Whether you’re braving the Italian summer or just want to sound like a local, these expressions will add some authentic flavor to your Italian conversations. Try them out: you might just find they’re as refreshing as a cool breeze on a hot day!
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