Italian Vocabulary Builder
Italian Vocabulary Builder
Italian Vocabulary Builder
If this statement is true, this is even more true with the Italian language.
Grammar is not the starting point to learn the language, since sometimes it is
so complicated that students don’t know what to do with it.
It is as if someone wants to teach you how to use the computer starting from
the assembly theory of the processor.
Probably now you could build one, but you would not know how to use the
internet or Word.
As a matter of fact, many language students have a good passive knowledge of
grammar but they can’t communicate efficiently due to a lack in vocabulary.
Vocabulary is vital to communicate meaningfully and can be considered the
initial learning objective in language acquisition.
If you consider how children acquire their first language, you will notice that
the first stage of the process is mainly focused on labelling, or mapping words
to certain concepts. Therefore, language acquisition starts by building a
vocabulary.
This supports the theory that without learning the words there is no language
knowledge. The process continues throughout childhood into adulthood and
involves the building of a network, where words are interconnected as in a web.
This was the basic assumption during this book’s design.
Why learning Italian vocabulary? You have already shown your interest in Italian
by choosing this book and we compliment you with that. Probably Italian is not
a "stranger" to you and you already know some words.
Beginners will be relieved to know that if you know English, learning Italian will
be less difficult than you think.
About 30% of English words have Latin origins, and Italian is one of the
languages that derives almost entirely from Latin. The phonetics of the language
is easily understood by reading the written words, which is a great help for new
learners.
To do this, a learner needs to meet a word at least 6 times in one or more specific
lexical sets. The organisation of words in thematic groups - as in this book - is
of great help for students to understand the context and recreate the same
interconnections between words as in their first language acquisition.
Each word will be presented in Italian and English in its lexical set. Sets are
listed in alphabetical order even if the words are not. This is supported by the
idea that learners don’t have to memorise just lists of words from A to Z but
choose those more interesting or attractive and give them a meaning.
One of the best ways to improve your vocabulary is to read and read often.
The more you read, the more words you will see. The more words you will see,
the more words you will know. This book wants to offer you a reading
experience, providing you with a selection of 2,222 useful Italian words in
context, with clear examples and an Appendix containing idiomatic sentences
and ways of saying, which are very common and used in the country.
Research has suggested that all second language learners need to acquire a core
vocabulary of 2,000 words, which is the number of words used by most native
speakers in daily conversation.
Consider that an average 5-year-old has an active vocabulary of around 5,000
words or word families in his/her own language. An educated native speaker
can count on 20,000 words. A dictionary has 80,000 words as an average.
This book contains exactly the number of words that should be learnt to
communicate in Italian.
Now, let’s stop talking! It’s time for you to get acquainted with the book. Hope
you will find it a valuable experience.
Contents
(contrastive and main) Adjectives
Air travel, airport and custom
Animals
Body and personal hygiene
(in the) City
Clothing, Accessories and Shopping
Colours
Communication and Technology
Currency and Money
Parts of the day and daily routine
Driving and directions
Family and Relationships
Friendship
Food, Cooking and Restaurant
Fruit and Vegetables
Functions of the Language and Expressions
Grammar
Health
Hotel and Accommodation
House, Chores and Furnitures
Jobs
Law, Crime and Punishment
Materials and Fabrics
Measurement
Months and Festivities
Nature and Natural Phenomenons
Numbers
Phobias and Manias
Railway Travel
Religion
School and Education
Seasons
Sports
State of Mind, Feelings and Moods
Synonyms and Opposites
Time
Transportation
Travel and Tourism
(main) Verbs
Week
Work, Business and Office
World, Nationalities and Languages
Appendix Italian idioms and ways of saying
(contrastive and main) Adjectives
1- Grande – Big
2- Piccolo – Small
3- Dritto – Straight
4- Storto – Crooked
5- Nuovo – New
6- Vecchio – Old
7- Giovane – Young
È troppo giovane per guidare un’auto.
She is too young to drive a car.
8- Difficile – Difficult
9- Facile – Easy
Il mio lavoro è così noioso. Penso che dovrò cercare qualcosa di meglio.
My job is so boring. I think I will have to look for something better.
Quell'edificio non dovrebbe essere così alto. Stona con gli altri intorno.
That building shouldn’t be so high. It clashes with the others around.
22- Basso – Low
Quei gemelli sono l'opposto: uno è amato da tutti, l'altro è così poco socievole.
Those twins are the opposite: one is loved by everyone, the other is so
unfriendly.
Non ho mai conosciuto una persona così prepotente in tutta la mia vita.
I've never met such a overbearing person in my life.
Tutto quello che voleva era che suo padre fosse orgoglioso di lui.
All he wanted was his father to be proud of him.
Mi trovi divertente?
Do you find me humorous?
I tuoi capelli sono troppo fini per essere intrecciati in quel modo.
Your hair is too fine to be braided like that.
Nulla da dichiarare?
Anything to declare?
C'è un coniglio che gira libero nel parco giochi. Non spaventarlo!
There is a rabbit running free on the playground. Do not scare it!
325-Sopracciglio – Eyebrow
Non far urinare il tuo cane sulle porte delle case. È molto maleducato.
Don’t let your dog urinate on the houses’ doors. It’s very impolite.
344- Emettere gas – Pass gas
L’acquario di Genova è una delle attrazioni più belle nel nord Italia.
The Genoa aquarium is one of the most beautiful attractions in northern Italy.
Metti un maglione! Fa freddo per stare fuori con una maglietta a maniche corte.
Put on a sweater! It’s cold to stay outside with a short-sleeved shirt.
La tua taglia è la S?
Is your size a small (S)?
Pensi che faccia troppo caldo fuori per mettere una camicia a manica lunga?
Do you think it is too hot outside to wear a long sleeved shirt?
Ha indossato uno smoking in lurex alla festa. Brillava come una stella.
She wore a lurex tuxedo at the party. She shined like a star.
Mio nonno mi ha regalato questo vecchio giradischi, che era di suo padre.
My grandfather gave me this old record player, which belonged to his father.
Ho letto su questa rivista che il blu andrà molto di moda questo inverno.
I read in this magazine that blue will be very fashionable this winter.
Nella mia azienda non è consentito navigare su internet per scopi personali.
In my company you are not allowed to surf the Internet for personal purposes.
Sto stampando alcuni dépliant per promuovere la mia nuova scuola di lingue.
I am printing some pamphlets to promote my new language school.
Puoi usare il mio telefono se hai bisogno di fare una chiamata locale.
You can use my phone if you need to make a local phone call.
Hai comprato un nuovo DVD? Non l'ho visto sullo scaffale prima.
Have you bought a new DVD? I didn’t see it on the shelf before.
590- CD – CD
Devi presentare la tua candidatura entro oggi se vuoi ottenere quel lavoro.
You have to submit your application by today if you want that job.
In alcuni paesi è meglio pagare con il denaro che con la carta di credito.
In some countries it’s better to pay cash than by credit card.
Faresti meglio ad usare una carta prepagata per fare acquisti online.
You'd better use a prepaid card to shop online.
Parts of the day and daily routine
699 - Stare in giro con gli amici - Hang out with friends
Non noterai facilmente il suo negozio perché si trova in una strada laterale.
You won't easily notice her shop because it is in a side street.
Questa è una zona pedonale, quindi non puoi guidare la macchina qui.
This is a traffic-free zone so you can't drive your car here.
Il mio gruppo è popolare tra gli adulti, non tanto tra i giovani.
My band is popular among adults, not so much among young people.
La mia vecchia zia ha sposato un altro uomo dopo la morte del marito.
My old aunt married another man after her husband's death.
Non avrei mai immaginato che potessero divorziare. Sono una cosi bella coppia.
I would had never imagined they could get divorced. They are such a nice
couple.
Appena un ospite arriva in casa, lei mette una caffettiera sul fuoco.
As soon as a guest arrives in the house, she puts a coffee pot on the fire.
Non ho mai usato una macchina per cuocere il riso. Come funziona?
I’ve never used an electric rice cooker. How does it work?
In cosa consiste una dieta vegana? Niente carne, niente pesce ... e cos'altro?
What does a vegan diet consist of? No meat, no fish... and what else?
Una volta che inizio a mangiare una ciliegia, non posso fermarmi.
Once I start eating a cherry, I can't stop.
Faresti meglio a non mangiare patata e pasta insieme; sono tutti carboidrati.
You’d better not to eat potato and pasta together; they are both
carbohydrates.
Non sono rimaste più arance. Che ne dici di una spremuta di pompelmo?
There are no oranges left. What about a grapefruit juice?
La melanzana è una bella verdura, sia nella forma che nel colore.
Eggplant is a beautiful vegetable, both in shape and colour.
1067- Sì – Yes
Mi spiace non essere d’accordo con lei, ma la sua tesi non mi convince.
I'm sorry I disagree with her, but her thesis does not convince me.
“Posso avere dell’acqua?" “Prendila tu. Fai come se fossi a casa tua”
"Can I have some water?" “Help yourself. Make yourself at home"
“Qual è il tuo indirizzo e-mail?” “Lo trovi sul mio biglietto da visita"
“What’s your e-mail address?” “You will find it on my business card”
1100- Ciao – Hi
“Mi spiace tanto ma non posso venire alla festa” “Non preoccuparti”
“I am so sorry but I can’t come to the party” “Don’t worry”
C’è qualcosa che non va nella TV. Per favore chiama il tecnico.
There's something wrong with the TV. Please call the technician.
La polvere mi fa starnutire così tanto che devo spolverare la casa ogni giorno.
Dust makes me sneeze so much that I have to dust the house every day.
Si avvisano i turisti di non bere acqua del rubinetto per evitare la diarrea.
Tourists are warned not to drink tap water to avoid diarrhoea.
Se una malattia è infettiva, significa che può essere diffusa tra le persone.
If a disease is infectious, it means it can be spread among people.
Una malattia è contagiosa se viene passata con il contatto diretto tra persone.
A disease is contagious if it is passed through direct contact between people.
1185- Raffreddore da fieno – Hay fever
Il suo collo e la sua bocca si sono gonfiati. Penso che abbia la parotite.
His neck and mouth are swollen. I think he's got mumps.
Deve essere il morbillo. Guarda tutte quelle piccole macchie rosse sul viso.
It must be measles. Look at all those small red spots on her face.
Penso di essere stitico. Non sono riuscito ad andare in bagno per giorni.
I think I'm constipated. I haven't been able to go to the toilet for days.
1192- Stampelle – Crutches
"Dov'è la chiave della camera?" "Non lo so. Te l'ho data prima di uscire”
“Where is the room key?” “I don’t know. I gave it to you before getting out”
Gli ospiti sono invitati a compilare questo modulo prima della partenza.
Guests are invited to fill out this form before departure.
House, Chores and Furnitures
Tutte le mattine mio figlio mangia una ciotola di cereali per colazione.
Every morning my son has a bowl of cereal for breakfast.
Vorrei comprare una casa con il giardino per far correre il cane.
I would like to buy a house with a garden to let the dog run.
Come puoi vedere, c’è una presa della corrente ovunque in casa.
As you can see, there's a power outlet anywhere in the house.
La parte davanti della casa è nuova, mentre quella dietro si sta sgretolando.
The front of the house is new, while the back is crumbling.
Ho chiesto a quel poliziotto cosa fosse successo, ma non può dire nulla.
I asked what happened to that policeman, but he cannot say a word.
Un'ostetrica è un'infermiera che aiuta le donne a dare alla luce i loro figli.
A midwife is a nurse who help women give birth to their children.
1378- Chirurgo – Surgeon
Molte persone scelgono l'Italia per le loro vacanze per lo splendido paesaggio.
Many people choose Italy for their holidays because of its beautiful scenery.
Non credo nelle previsioni del tempo, soprattutto quando sono brutte.
I do not believe in weather reports, especially when they are bad.
Una delle zone più belle della Gran Bretagna sono le Highlands scozzesi.
One of the most beautiful areas of Britain are the Highlands of Scotland.
I bambini delle aree rurali devono spesso viaggiare per km. per andare a scuola.
Children from rural areas often have to travel miles to go to school.
Uno degli esempi più spaventosi della forza della natura è il tornado.
One of the most frightening examples of the force of nature are tornados.
Ora hai diciannove anni. Il prossimo anno non sarai più un teenager.
Now you are nineteen. Next year you will not be a teenager anymore.
Dal momento che hai diciassette anni, puoi iniziare a pensare all’Università.
Since you are seventeen, you can start thinking about the University.
Potrei dirti mille motivi per non venire alla tua festa.
I could tell you one thousand reasons not to come to your party.
Non posso stare in questo spazio ristretto a causa della mia claustrofobia.
I can’t stay in this confined space due to my claustrophobia.
La cinofobia è una paura per il cane. È qualcosa che non riesco a capire.
Cynophobia is the fear for dogs. It's something I can't understand.
1678-Entomologia– Entomology
Il giorno della mia laurea, sarò la persona più felice della Terra.
On my graduation day, I will be the happiest person on Earth.
Alla fine delle elementari, il banco era troppo piccolo per lui.
At the end of the elementary school, the school desk was too small for him.
Mio padre era furioso quando gli dissi che avevo fracassato la sua macchina.
My father was furious when I told him I had crashed his car.
Mio padre fu molto comprensivo quando gli dissi che avevo perso il lavoro.
My dad was very sympathetic when I told him I had lost my job.
Ero molto sollevata quando il medico mi disse che il mio peso è perfetto.
I felt very relieved when the doctor told me my weight is perfect.
1832- Assonnato – Drowsy
1898- Andare – Go
1924- Fare – Do
Mi fa ridere un sacco!
He makes me laugh a lot!
Non sono sicuro di volere un gelato in questo momento. Forse più tardi.
I’m not sure I want an ice-cream right now. Maybe later.
Potresti aiutarmi per favore con queste borse? Sono così pesanti.
Could you please help me with these bags? They are so heavy.
Per il mio compleanno, voglio organizzare una festa con amici e parenti.
For my birthday, I want to arrange a party with family and friends.
Non voglio incontrare mio fratello. L'ultima volta abbiamo discusso per ore.
I don’t want to meet my brother. Last time we argued for hours.
Week
Se non hai una cucitrice, dammi una graffetta per il mio documento.
If you don’t have a stapler, just give me a paper clip for my document.
Le ha chiesto di passargli una livella, ma lei non aveva idea di cosa fosse.
He asked her to hand him a level, but she had no idea on what it was.
Non hai inserito il destinatario. Ecco perché non ho ricevuto la tua e-mail.
You didn’t insert the recipient. That’s why I didn’t receive your e-mail.
Viene dalla Corea del Sud. La sua famiglia vive ancora lì.
She comes from South Korea. Her family still lives there.
Mark è australiano.
Mark is Australian.
Ieri sera sono uscito a bere con gli amici e oggi mi sento sottotono.
I went out drinking with some friends last night and now I’m feeling under the
weather.
2172- Due più due fa quattro – Put two and two together
300 euro? Ti hanno davvero fatto pagare un occhio della testa quelle scarpe.
300 euro? They really made you pay through the nose for those shoes.
Harry è già al bar che beve per dimenticare dopo la sconfitta della squadra.
Harry is down at the bar, drinking to forget after his team's defeat.
2178- Sa bene il fatto suo – Know which side one’s bread is buttered
Barbara sa bene il fatto suo. Suo marito guadagna troppo per lasciarlo.
Barbara knows which side her bread is buttered. Her husband earns too
much to leave him.
Dove sei stato tutto questo tempo? È una vita che non ti vedo.
Where have you been all this time? I haven’t seen you in ages.
2180- Dalla padella alla brace – From the frying pan to the fire
Sono davvero caduta dalla padella alla brace. Il nuovo capo è peggio del primo.
I really jumped from the frying pan to the fire. My new boss is worse than the
former.
Gloria non ricaverà niente dal libro che ha scritto. L’ha fatto gratis et amore
dei.
Gloria is not going to make any money by writing that book. It is a labour of
love.
2185- Dare a Cesare quello che è di Cesare – Give the devil his due
Bisogna dare a Cesare quello che è di Cesare: Elena è una grande cantante.
Give the devil his due: Elena is a great singer.
Sono davvero nei guai. Ho perso il bus e mi serve un passaggio per Milano.
I’m in a real jam. I missed the bus and I need a ride to Milan.
Non intendo uscire con Tizio, Caio e Sempronio. Voglio qualcuno di speciale.
I won’t go out with just any Tom, Dick and Harry. I want someone special.
Ho davvero fatto una gaffe ieri sera alla festa. Ho scambiato Sarah per Claudia.
I really put my foot in my mouth last night at the party. I mistook Sarah for
Claudia.
2191- Mandare qualcuno a quel paese – Tell someone where to get off
Dopo la rapina, il ladro uscì dalla gioielleria fresco come una rosa.
After the robbery, the thief walked out of the jewelery as cool as a cucumber.
2199- Da che pulpito viene la predica – The pot calls the kettle black
Chiederò a lei lo sconto. Mi deve alcuni favori: tutte le strade portano a Roma.
I will ask her for the discount. She owes me some favours: all roads lead to
Rome.
2210- Non avere la più pallida idea – not to have the slightest idea
Perché chiedi a me i nomi dei fiumi italiani. Non ne ho la più pallida idea.
Why are you asking me the Italian rivers. I haven’t the slightest idea.
Here we are at the end of this very comprehensive Italian Vocabulary Builder!
One good news is that if you have reached the end of this book, your vocabulary
has been enriched and the basic quota of over 2,000 word to communicate
efficiently and meaningfully has been achieved. This is a considerable number
to start with and hopefully your list won’t be limited to this in the coming future.
At this point, one suggestion is to deepen your knowledge and practice about
the gender of nouns and how to inflect verbs according to the subject and tense.
Maybe other books will come on these aspects of the language and this is why
you are warmly invited to keep an eye on the website www.LingoMastery.com
for continuous updates and learning materials.
Your learning process doesn’t stop here, you are at a good point but there is
much more to do.
If you have an Italian friend or you know an Italian restaurant in your city, take
time to practice in real life situations. When you go to an Italian restaurant,
dishes are most often written in Italian, and ordering can look like a real
vocabulary lesson.