In that moment, time is of no importance, they just really want to do something, and soon! 5. When Italians say, “Non vedo l’ora,” literally meaning, “I don’t see the hour,” what they are trying to tell you is that they are excited. You’re good at keeping secrets, right? Well, instead of saying, “Keep it to yourself,” in Italian, you’d be told to “keep the water in your mouth.” Obvious, right? While it may sound a little intimidating at first, the thought of keeping the water in your mouth might just help you refrain from “spilling the beans.” 4. Apparently, Rome has a super fun nightlife scene, who knew? 3. This is a sarcastic Italian expression which translates as “You wanted the bike? Now you’ve got to ride it!” It is similar to the well-known English phrase “I told you so.” I’ve heard it in conversation between my Italian classmates talking in the morning after going out drinking the night before. Hai voluto la bicicletta? E adesso pedala! The common response is “Crepi” or “Crepi il lupo,” which, in this sense, means “thank you.” 2. I used to hear this expression on a daily basis around my University. The literal translation in English is “to be in the wolf’s mouth.” Italians normally use it when they wish each other good luck, especially before an exam or something important.

My hope is that you can use these phrases and my explanations of their meanings to help you better understand the Italian language and the locals who speak it. With the help of a few of my Italian friends, I’ve arranged the twelve coolest expressions I learned during my year living and studying Italian in Rome. From gestures to food, to art, and, of course, language, Italians are known for being expressive in everything they do.

English to italian translator