Italian Phrases Essay Example

Italian phrases, words, mottos, and quotes in heraldry, art, and popular use (with translations)

A buon intenditor poche parole – Few words (are sufficient) for the good listener
A chi fa male, mai mancano scuse – Who does evil, is never short of excuse
A nemico che fugge, fa un ponte d’oro – Make a golden bridge for a fleeing foe
A poco a poco – By little and little
A prima vista – At first sight
A vostro comodo – At your leisure, at your convenience
Ad ogni santo vien sua festa – Every saint has his own festival
Ai mali estremi, mali rimedi – For severe ills, severe remedies
Aiutati che Dio ti aiuta – Helf yourself and God will help you
Al fine – To the end
Al fresco – In the fresh, in the open air
Altro che! – Certainly; I should think so
Amor e signoria non vogliono compania – Love and lordship like no fellowship
Amor non conosce travaglio – Love never tires
Amor regge senza legge – Love rules without laws
Amor tutti fa uguali – Love makes all men equal
Amore è cierco – Love is blind
Anno di neve, anno di bene – A snow year, a rich year
Assai ben balla a chi Fortuna suona – He dances well to whom Fortune pipes
Badate a’ fatti vostri! – Mind your own business!
Bella cosa far niente – Idleness is a nice employment (a beautiful thing)
Bella cosa tosto è rapita – A pretty thing is soon taken
Belle parole non pascon i gatti – Fine words don’t feed cats
Bene placito – At pleasure
Bravissimo – Exceedingly well done
Breve orazione penetra – God listens to short prayers
Capo d’anno – New Year’s Day
Capo d’opera – A masterpiece
Cavaliere errante – A knight errant, a tramp
Cavallo que corre non ha bisogno di sproni – Do not spur the willing horse
Cercare il pelo nell’ uovo – To seek the hair in the egg, to pick faults where there are none.
Che ‘l perder tempo a chi più sa più spiace – Loss of time most grieveth him who knoweth most (Dante)
Che non men che saver, dubbiar m’aggrata – Ignorance not less than