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Italian Lesson – February 2025

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For Valentine’s Day alla italiana we offer some background and vocabulary to use with loved ones.

Italian lovers are famous throughout history: Paolo and Francesca, the ill-fated pair described in Dante’s “La Divina Commedia;” Romeo e Giulietta (Romeo and Juliet), the two young lovers from Verona immortalized by Shakespeare; and Renzo and Lucia in “I Promessi Sposi,” written by Alessandro Manzoni from 1825-27, who succeeded in marrying each other only after overcoming many difficulties and obstacles. Romeo and Juliet are so well known that their love story draws more than 2 million visitors a year to Verona to view the balcony at the residence of the Cappelletti family, whose name inspired Shakespeare’s Capulet family.

In classical history, the Roman holiday Lupercalia was a pagan spring celebration. Priests called luperci participated in ritual sacrifices and fertility rites during the wild, chaotic festivities.

With all this history of love and romance, spring lust and eros, debauchery and revelry, it would only seem natural that Italy, the land of romance, would celebrate Valentine’s Day with great passion and joy.

Although Italy may be the country of love and lovers, the holiday as celebrated today has taken on an American flavor, much like Halloween or Mother’s Day. A significant difference is that in Italy it is exclusively a celebration for couples or lovers. Children, family members, and friends do not usually exchange cards or presents.

However, it is an important holiday to show their beloved how much they care. Depending on the age of the celebrants, gifts could include red roses or perfume, diamonds, or the traditional box of ciccolatini.

The Italian language is rich in a vocabulary of expressions and idioms, and frasi d’amore on Valentine’s Day are especially endearing. In English, the expression “I love you” is ubiquitous; while in Italian “Ti amo” is used only between lovers, never with friends, family, or inanimate objects. Instead, the expression “Ti voglio bene” is preferred.

Here are some words and key phrases to impress your “tesoro” this Valentine’s Day.

gli abbracci – hugs

affettuoso – affectionate

l’amante – lover

i baci – kisses


la cartolina d’auguri per San Valentino
– Valentine’s Day card

i cioccolatini – chocolates

il diamante – diamond

la festa di San Valentino – the festival of St. Valentine

il/la fidanzato/a – fiancé/fiancée

i fiori – flowers

gli innamorati – lovers

provocante – provocative, sexy

sedurre – to seduce

sessuale – sexual


le smancerie
– over-wrought, cloying sentiments

il mio tesoro – my darling

Ti penso sempre – I always think of you.

Mi manchi – I miss you.

Come sei bella – How beautiful you are.

Voglio vederti – I want to see you tonight.


Tu sei una stella … la mia stella –
You are a star … my star.

Cara mia, ti voglio bene – My darling, I love you.

This month’s proverb

It comes from Sicily:

Sicilianu: L’Amuri è musuratu, cu lu porta, l’havi purtatu.
Italiano: L’amore è misurato, chi lo porta, lo riavrà indietro.

English translation: (literally) Love is measured,
whoever carries it will get it back.

This month’s falso amico

It is camera. It means room. E.g., Avete una camera con vista? (Do you have a room with a view?) A photo camera in Italian is macchina fotografica.

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