“Il pane” (bread) is a staple food in Italian culture, unmissable at every meal on the dining table. It's no surprise that it made its way into a number of idioms and expressions in the Italian language! So, don't be surprised if you hear Italians mentioning “pane” when there is no bread involved!
Here are 5 common Italian expressions about bread:
Essere un pezzo di pane
This expression means “to be a piece of bread”. Italians use this expression figuratively to indicate someone who is very kind, good-hearted and soft-spoken. For example:
- “Lui è un bravo ragazzo, è un pezzo di pane” (He is a good guy, he's a piece of bread).
Essere pane per i propri denti
This expression means “to be bread for one's teeth”. It is said when someone has a demanding task ahead, but can measure up to it! If you have good teeth, you can eat even tough, crunchy bread, right? For example:
- “Questo compito è pane per i miei denti” (This task is bread for my teeth).
Rendere pan per focaccia
This expression means “to give back bread for focaccia”. It is said when someone treats you badly, and you react by giving them a taste of their own medicine… or even worse! For example:
- “Lei mi ha truffato: le renderò pan per focaccia!” (She scammed me: I'll give her back bread for focaccia).
Guadagnarsi il pane
This expression means “to earn your bread”. It is used with the meaning of “making your own living”. For example:
- “Giulia si guadagna il pane consegnando le pizze” (Giulia makes her own living by delivering pizzas).
Se non è zuppa, è pan bagnato
This expression means “if it's not soup, it's soaked bread”. It is used when two things, even if presented differently, are basically the same. It's similar to the English expressions “Six of one, half a dozen of the other” or “Tomayto, tomahto”. For example:
- “Non sono in ritardo, semplicemente non sono proprio in orario…” “Sì, certo, se non è zuppa è pan bagnato!” (I'm not late, I'm simply not exactly on time… Yes, of course, if it's not soup it's soaked bread!)
So, which of these expressions is your favorite?
