15+ Most Common Sayings in Italy and What it Means


15+ Most Common Sayings In Italy

Italy is a country located in southern Europe, bordered by France to the west, Switzerland and Austria to the north, Slovenia to the east, and the Mediterranean Sea to the south. It has a population of approximately 60 million people and its capital and largest city is Rome. Italy is known for its rich history, culture, art, architecture, fashion, cuisine, and wine. It is also home to numerous famous landmarks and attractions such as the Colosseum, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Vatican City, and the canals of Venice.


Chi dorme non piglia pesci

Meaning: He who sleeps doesn't catch fish (referring to the importance of working hard)


Chi va piano va sano e va lontano

Meaning:  Slow and steady wins the race. Means you need to take things at your own pace


A caval donato non si guarda in bocca

Meaning: Don't look a gift horse in the mouth


Non tutte le ciambelle riescono col buco

Meaning:  Not all donuts come out with a hole (referring to things not always going as planned)


Meglio tardi che mai

Meaning: Better late than never. For those who tried to finish something but out of time.


Chi trova un amico trova un tesoro

Meaning:  He who finds a friend finds a treasure


L'abito non fa il monaco

Meaning:  Clothes don't make the man (referring to the importance of looking beyond appearances)


In bocca al lupo

Meaning:  Good luck (literally meaning "in the mouth of the wolf"). Its a good whish


Sei la mia anima gemella

Meaning:  You are my soulmate


Fare la bella vita

Meaning:  Living the good life


La vita è troppo breve per bere vino cattivo

Meaning:  Life is too short to drink bad wine


Dolce far niente

Meaning:  The sweetness of doing nothing


Chi semina vento raccoglie tempesta

Meaning:  He who sows the wind reaps the whirlwind (referring to the consequences of one's actions)


La fortuna aiuta gli audaci

Meaning:  Fortune favors the bold


Gatta ci cova

Meaning:  There's something fishy going on (literally meaning "the cat is hatching eggs")


Quando il gatto non c'è, i topi ballano

Meaning:  When the cat's away, the mice will play


Siamo tutti nella stessa barca

Meaning:  We're all in the same boat


Meglio un giorno da leone che cento da pecora

Meaning:  Better to live one day as a lion than a hundred as a sheep


Tra il dire e il fare c'è di mezzo il mare

Meaning:  Between saying and doing there is a sea (referring to the difficulty of putting words into action)


Non si finisce mai di imparare

Meaning:  You never stop learning


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