As you probably already know, the language Italians speak everyday with their friends and acquaintances is full of informal words and expressions. So, today I’m going to explain six informal Italian expressions you can start using with your Italian friends right now.
Informal Italian expressions
1. A furia di
A furia di is an Italian expression that conveys the idea that if you keep doing something, finally you get a result (bad or good). A synonym of a furia di is a forza di.
Examples:
A furia di urlare, perderai la voce.
If you keep shouting, you’ll lose your voice.
A furia di chiamare, finalmente sono riuscito a parlare con un operatore.
By dint of phone calls, I was finally able to talk to an operator.
2. Non me la fai
Non me la fai is an informal Italian expression we use to tell someone that they won’t trick us. A standard equivalent would be non mi inganni!
Examples:
Non me la fai! Questo non è un vero Van Gogh!
You won’t trick me! This isn’t a real Van Gogh!
Non me la fate! Volevate farmi uno scherzo, vero?
You won’t trick me! You wanted to play a joke on me, didn’t you?
3. Bastian contrario
Bastian contrario is a person that contradicts you just for the sake of it.
Examples:
Paolo è proprio un Bastian contrario, non gli va mai bene niente.
Paul is so quarrelsome, nothing ever suits him.
Dai Maria, non fare la Bastian Contraria, vieni con noi anche tu!
Come on Maria, don’t be quarrelsome, come with us too!
4. Essere in gamba
The Italian expression essere in gamba can have at least two meanings. The first meaning is to be healthy, strong and smart. While the second one is to be capable, good in something, especially professionally.
Examples:
Tua nonna è ancora in gamba per avere 95 anni!
Your grandmother is still healthy, strong and smart for being 95 years old!
Guido è un medico davvero in gamba!
Guido is a really good doctor!
5. Mi sta qua
Mi sta qua is an informal Italian expression used to say that you dislike someone because they are unpleasant.
Examples:
Francesca mi sta qua, non la sopporto!
I dislike Francesca, I can’t stand her!
I tuoi vicini mi stanno qua, sono davvero scortesi!
I dislike your neighbors, they’re really rude!
6. Ne vedremo delle belle
Finally, ne vedremo delle belle is an Italian expression that we use to convey the idea that we’ll experience interesting things in the future.
Examples:
Dopo la situazione che si è creata, alla riunione ne vedremo delle belle, mi sa che litigheranno tutti.
After the situation that has arisen, we’re going to see a lot at the meeting, I think they’re all going to argue.
Mi sa che nei nostri viaggi ne vedremo delle belle. Chissà quante cose interessanti vedremo!
I guess we will see some good things in our travels. Who knows how many interesting things we will see!
Now, you can start using these informal Italian expressions with your Italian friends!
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Credits
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Tarantella