2001 Italian and English Idioms

by Robert A. Hall Jr., Frances Adkins Hall, Susan Z. Garau, et al.

Book Overview

This thoroughly revised new edition translates the most frequently used Italian and English idioms and phrases in two separate bilingual lists. Phrases are alphabetized according to each one's key... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0812090306
• ISBN13: 9780812090307
• Release Date: January 1996
• Publisher: Barron's Educational Series
• Length: 768 Pages
• Weight: 1.78 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.5" x 5.2" x 7.7"

Customer Reviews

"May you go into the mouth of the wolf!" (it's an Italian thing..)

Well, don't be scared!!! I'm actually wishing you "Good Luck!" in Italian! In fact, the idiom is "In bocca al lupo!", kind of like the English idiom "Break a leg." I think this book is great if you are serious about learning not only the language, but the culture, the everyday expressions of Italians, and not just speak like a 5 year old. It is most definitely the next step in learning the language for more advanced students. I wouldn't use this just to "whip out" (there's another idiom for you) some cool sentences on your trip. It's not a phrase book. I highly recommend this for more advanced students.

Idioms - don't take them literally

This is an excellent book. The whole point about idioms is that you can't understand them and you can't translate them literally. You need a good, up to date list, and you just have to learn them. In Australia we say weird things like "he's got kangaroos in the top paddock" (he's crazy) or "going for a slash" (going to the bathroom). Even if you speak english, you probably won't understand these terms, and you cannot use a regular dictionary to "translate" them - just doesn't work. So this is a great resource for students trying to understand everyday Italian. It's only drawback is that, published a few years ago, it's due for an update.

Second Stage in expressing yourself fully in Italian

This is a fine bargain at the price. With the number of common idioms in Italian translated into English and common idioms in English set alongside their Italian equivalents, it is invaluable in expressing yourself, especially if you come from an English-speaking background that is in its own cultural flavor peppered heavily with colloquial idioms and expressions. Best thing since sliced bread!