In the Italian language, there exists a rich tapestry of curious and playful idiomatic expressions. Some are rooted in the Bible, others stem from classic literature, but the majority have popular origins that reveal much about Italy’s history and cultural identity. For anyone learning Italian, mastering these popular Italian sayings is an excellent way to sound like a true local.
The sayings – often referred to as idiomatic expressions or idioms – are phrases with meanings unique to a specific language. Their literal translations often defy logic, making them difficult to grasp without a deeper explanation.
In this article, I introduce 10 of the most popular Italian sayings – along with their fascinating origins – literally translated to give you the authentic meaning in Italian. If you’re on the journey of learning Italian, understanding these expressions will undoubtedly enrich your conversations, bringing you one step closer to fluency.
To be with hands in hand
Stare con le mani in mano. It’s no secret that Italians are famous for their animated gestures, often able to convey an entire conversation with just their hands. With this in mind, the meaning of this Italian saying becomes clearer: it refers to doing nothing while those around you are hard at work. This expression is typically used when someone is expected to contribute – whether to a task or a job – but instead, they remain idle, figuratively (and sometimes literally) standing there with their hands in their lap.
Go to that village
Vai a quel paese! Insults, when delivered with a playful twist, can be surprisingly entertaining. This particular expression is a more polite – and colorful – way of telling someone to… fuck off. As for which village Italians are sending their adversaries to, no one really knows. What is certain, however, is that plenty of people have figuratively been sent there!
It’s possible that “that village” is a euphemism for the afterlife (since another translation might be “go to hell”), as Italian culture often shies away from directly using words with a harsh or ominous meaning. In any case, the saying “go to that village” is commonly used to gently dismiss someone. It’s also a handy retort when feeling fed up with someone or to reject an idea or request. Used in casual, informal settings, it often carries a teasing tone, standing in for what might otherwise be a far more vulgar expression.
This saying is so ingrained in Italian culture that it even inspired a song in 1981 titled Te c’hanno mai mannato (Have they ever sent you?), brought to fame by the iconic actor Alberto Sordi, a master of Italian comedy. Part of its success comes from the clever use of Roman dialect, which, when paired with the right phrases, adds an irresistible blend of cynicism and charm. And, of course, with Alberto Sordi involved, the result is nothing short of legendary!
Have you ever been sent to that village?
Te c’hanno mai mannato
You’d be amazed at how many people are there
The mayor’s a friend of mine
Just tell him I sent you
And go, and go
You go ahead, I’ve got things to do.
On this it doesn’t rain
Su questo non ci piove. This is one of many Italian sayings with roots in everyday life, much like most expressions tied to weather events or natural calamities. It’s used to express certainty and inevitability about a given statement. If “on this it doesn’t rain”, it means you’re in a secure, sheltered place; in other words, you’re talking about something beyond doubt. This saying is the perfect way to emphasize total confidence in a point, something so indisputable that it remains unshaken, even under a downpour of criticism.
It rains on the wet
Piove sul bagnato. This Italian saying, much like its English counterpart “when it rains, it pours”, is another example of Italy’s rich repertoire of weather-related expressions. Its origins can be traced to Giovanni Pascoli, a towering figure in late 19th-century Italian literature, who in his Prose wrote: «It rains on the wet: tears on blood, blood on tears».
The phrase quickly embedded itself in the Italian lexicon, used to describe moments when bad luck seems relentless, with one misfortune following another in a never-ending cascade. It’s a way of saying that disasters often strike in clusters – or at least that’s how it feels to those caught in the storm of misfortune. Picture this: you lose your job, a few days later your partner breaks up with you, and to top it off, you lose your wallet. That’s the perfect moment to say, “it rains on the wet!”.
Water in mouth
Acqua in bocca. This expression is employed to signify a secret that must remain under wraps, never to be revealed. According to legend, this Italian saying originates from a tale about a kind and devout woman who unfortunately had the habit of gossiping and divulging others’ secrets. One day, she decided to seek the priest’s help to overcome her troublesome behavior. In response, the priest handed her a vial containing “miraculous” water.
From that moment on, the woman would take a few drops of this enchanted water whenever she felt the urge to gossip, and, thanks to this clever ploy, she managed to curb her habit of speaking ill of others. While the legend adds a whimsical touch, there’s also a logical rationale behind the saying: if your mouth is full of water, it’s obvious that you can’t talk!
Nail drives out nail
Chiodo scaccia chiodo. This saying conveys the notion that an emotion can only be replaced by a stronger one, or that a concern can be displaced only by another of greater intensity. It equally applies to new passions or interests that lead one to abandon previous attachments. In colloquial language, the term nail (chiodo) always refers to something painful and bothersome: a worry, a concern, or a romantic obsession.
The proverb traces its roots back to Cicero, who wrote in Tusculan Disputations: «Indeed, they believe that an old love must be driven out by a new love, just as one nail drives out another». However, it may also derive from the phrase “with the nail the nail, with the pole the pole” (con il chiodo il chiodo, con il palo il palo), an ancient proverbial line found in the Onomasticon of Julius Pollux, a 2nd-century AD grammarian and lexicographer.
This saying links the proverb to cindalismo, an old dexterity game that involves extracting a nail embedded in clay with another nail. In this game, a nail or small stick would be driven into moist ground and had to be struck and removed by another nail or stick thrown from a designated distance, showcasing both skill and precision.
In contemporary usage, in Italy this saying is frequently employed to console a friend at the end of a relationship, serving as a reminder that to truly move on from a lost love and overcome the past, one must be willing to embrace the possibilities of a new romance.
Peter comes back
Pietro torna indietro. This phrase, with its catchy rhyme reminiscent of a whimsical nursery rhyme, may seem nonsensical on its own. However, it’s super popular among the Italian sayings, and it serves a practical purpose: it’s used when lending something to a friend as a gentle reminder that you expect it back. It’s a funny way to underscore the act of lending. Given its popularity, it often appears in playful exchanges like this:
– Can you lend me your book?
– Of course, but remember, its name is Pietro!
To not having hairs on the tongue
Non avere peli sulla lingua. This expression is used to signify a person’s sincerity and their candid, straightforward way of speaking, unafraid to voice their thoughts without concern for potential judgment. It typically describes those who express themselves freely, undeterred by shyness and indifferent to whether their words may come off as impolite or controversial. Metaphorically, having “hairs on the tongue” implies an obstacle or hindrance that obstructs clear and fluent speech. Therefore, those who lack them can articulate their thoughts effortlessly.
From which pulpit comes the sermon
Da che pulpito viene la predica. This exclamation is directed at those who reprimand others or assume the role of judge without having the right to do so. It is often used when someone preaching or offering advice fails to recognize – or acknowledges – they possess the very flaws they are admonishing.
The origins of this saying are deeply rooted in antiquity. The Italian word pulpito derives from the Latin “pulpìtum”, which means a stage or, more precisely, a raised platform with a railing. It was from the pulpit that orators in ancient Rome addressed the public, and similarly, in Christian churches, priests delivered their sermons and homilies from this elevated position – a practice that persisted well into modern times until not a long time ago.
Authority figures, kings, and leaders have long addressed the populace from elevated platforms, not only to enhance visibility and recognition but also because such a vantage point amplifies the speaker’s authority, elevating their presence and projecting their voice more effectively. However, as is often the case with popular sayings, they serve to undermine the air of superiority surrounding certain practices, and this expression exemplifies that phenomenon. Thus, when responding to someone who, undeservedly, takes on the role of judge or dispenses unsolicited advice, the retort “from which pulpit comes the sermon” swiftly comes to mind. Sometimes, it is more succinctly expressed as “from which pulpit!”.
This expression is widely used and carries subtle nuances of meaning that can only be discerned through tone of voice. In all cases, it carries a distinctly negative connotation: depending on the context, it may convey sarcasm, irony, or even outright disdain.
Touching iron
Toccare ferro. This saying is used to ward off bad luck and originates from an ancient symbolism associated with horseshoes. In the Middle Ages, it was customary to nail a horseshoe to a door with an odd number of nails, its two ends facing upwards, as it was believed to serve as a protective charm against witches and sorceresses. Over time, the belief took root that by touching iron, one could safeguard themselves from misfortune. This is why Italians frequently employ this expression before embarking on something significant, such as a job interview.
The practice of touching iron is not universal. In England and other Nordic countries, for instance, people traditionally touch wood – a practice that may stem from various origins, including the pagan belief that spirits reside within trees.