Pesky Words

Ideas for common, hard-to-translate words and phrases – Italian to English

A substantial portion of most translation is fairly clear-cut. “Zimbabwe” is pretty much always “Zimbabwe” and “cinque” is usually “five.” Then, there’s the rest of the text that takes extra thought, creativity and research. If I write “gastronomy,” will English-speaking readers imagine “gastrointestinal disorders” rather than fine food? What is the English title of the movie starring Winona Ryder rendered in Italian as Young, Cute, and Unemployed? [Reality Bites]. When they say gadget in Italian, is it still “gadget” in English?

Some well-loved phrases pop up in every other Italian document and have no clean, catch-all English translation. Take, for instance, vero e proprio (literal: “true and really”; non-literal: see table below). Each context calls for a fresh translation. These are some recurring sticking points that make Italian-to-English translators worldwide screw up their faces and pull out an eyebrow hair or two. Unhappy with my cache of possible solutions to some of these common problems, I turned to my colleagues on the IT-EN list, generous, seasoned professionals. Together, we came up with suggestions to these sticking points.

The driving force behind translator decisions is always context, from that of the society at large to that of the sentence. Many of the words and phrases below, especially those not nouns and adjectives, are often absorbed into reworked sentences or paragraphs that could not be represented here. The main intent of the table is to inspire new context-appropriate solutions.

To expand your mind or save you some hand-wringing, the current table can be found below. If you have solutions or Peskies to suggest add them at: Translating Italian Peskies.

a fronte di
	compared to
	while
	although
	notwithstanding
	in light of
	in the face of
	faced with
	confronting
	related to
	for
	against
	over
	with
	in exchange for
accorgimento
	details
	stratagem
	devices
	special solutions were devised to
	special care was taken in
	careful attention
	special elements
	special techniques
	special consideration
	design feature
	technique
	tricks of the trade
	style touches
	technological touches
	[positive adjective e.g. “elegant” with insight/touch/feature etc.]
	approach
	contrivances
	strategies
	considerations
	tactics
	shrewd application of
	contrivance
	ploy
	ruse
	special expedient
all’avanguardia
	leading-edge
	cutting-edge
	state-of-the-art
	hi-tech
	up-to-the-minute
	groundbreaking
	at the forefront
	advanced
	market-leading
all’insegna di
	marked by
	characterized by
	of
	featuring
	full of
	that are all about
	in an atmosphere of
ambito
	sphere
	realm
	context
	within
	domain
	area
	scope
	in terms of
	with a view to
	will also include
	for that purpose/on that occasion
	as part of
	as far as the … is concerned/with regard to
	through/by
	in the case of
	in the ___ place
	within the scope/according to
	in their sphere of activity
	purview
	within the framework of
	for the purposes of
	extent
	range
	compass
	field
	as part of
	in the context of
	in
	environment
	circle
	ambit
	confines
	region
	area
	orbit
	province
anche
	not only… but also
	[ignore]
	…..including
	[explicitly state the options that “anche” implies if known. e.g. “Pizza anche a mezzogiorno!” “Pizza for lunch and dinner”]
	that include
	that also include
	in part
	as well as
	at times
	often
	not least
anche perché
	partly due to
	due in part to
	in part because
	one reason…
	also because [colloquial sounding]
	not least because
	due as much as anything to …
arricchire
	enhance
	adds a further dimension
	additional highlight/feature/benefit/strong point
	lift [wine]
	round off
	complete
	complement
	integrate
	lend resonance/vibrancy
	expand
	added attraction
	round out
	enliven
	punctuate
	enrich [in some contexts]
articolazione
	structure
	layout
	complexity [wine]
	configuration
	joint [anatomy]
artigiano (artigianale)
	small-business
	craftsman
	amateur
	traditional
	small-scale
	local
	small and medium-sized enterprises
	hand-crafted
	artisanal (where new usage would be appropriate)
	mom and pop stores [can be used in a tongue-in-cheek way]
	cottage industry
basta pensare a
	such as
	for example
	as can be seen in
	such as we find in
	a classic/prime example being
	consider
	e.g.
caratteristico
	charming
	enchanting
	delightful
	trademark
	hallmark
	signature
	distinctive
	picturesque
	eye-catching
	attractive
coccolare
	captivate
	cosset
	delight (sby with sth)
	indulge (sby with sth)
	pamper
	pet
	soothe
	spoil/spoil rotten
	tempt
	treat (sby to sth)
	luxuriate
	enjoy
	indulge in
coinvolgente
	engaging
	enthralling
	engrossing
	fascinating
	absorbing
	touching
	appealing
	involving
	intriguing
	exciting
	seductive
	alluring
	tempting
	inclusive
	impressive
così
	therefore
	thus
	thereby
	so
	consequently
	in this way
cultura
	philosophy
	ethos
	education
	culture
	tradition
	credo
	heritage
curato nei dettagli
	carefully/accurately/meticulously/finely styled/designed/crafted
	with great care
	down to the last detail
	meticulously
da __ a ___
	from x to y
	z and a
	from x and y to z and a
	including or “such as” + a whole range/vast collection/series
	run the gamut
declinato	available
di cui
	according to
	as per
	as referred to
	in accordance with
	under
declinare	analyze
	express
	break down
	branch out
	translate into
	modify
	interpret
	develop
	include
	explore
diversi
	miscellaneous
	sundry
	various
	different
	varying
	several
	a variety of
	assorted
	numerous
	a number of
elegante, raffinato, etc
	refined
	urbane
	cultivated
	cultured
	educated
	polite
	accomplished/ posh
	sophisticated
	genteel
	tasteful
	delicate
	elegant
	polished
	suave
	chic
	natty/cultivated person
	refined person
	stylish
	graceful
	smart
	chic
	classy
	sleek
	dainty
	snazzy
	fashionable
	posh
	swish
	upmarket
emozionare
	excite
	thrill
	stirs the heart
	charms
	endears you
	draws you in
	captivates
	wins you over
	stir feelings of __
	[style] that appeals and excites
	enthrall
essenziale
	sleek
	simple
	basic
	essential
	unadorned
	straight-forward
	plain
	austere
	spare
	clean
	minimalist
	humble
	natural
	no-frills
	modest
	lean
	streamlined
	indispensable
	practical
	must-have [in some contexts, i.e. fashion]
eventuale
	if necessary (at end of sentence)
	as needed
	rephrase with “which may”
	possible
	any
fermo restando (che)
	without prejudice to
	without changing
	without affecting
	whilst maintaining
	subject to…
	it being understood (that)
grazie a
	due to
	with
	thanks to
	by virtue of
	with the help of
	[rephrase to make the object of “grazie a” the subject e.g. grazie alla professionalità dei… becomes “their professionalism…”]
	because of [depending on context, where appropriate]
in particolare
	specifically
	particularly
	notably
	especially
	for example
	in fact
	[leave out]
infatti
	because
	[split sentences and drop]
	indeed
iniziativa
	program
	project
	scheme
	venture
	step
	measure
	action
	initiative
insomma
	in other words
	in a nutshell
	…. indeed!
	[ignore]
	in practice
	in effect
	basically
interlocutore
	contact
	representative
	interviewer
	ombudsman
	stockholder
	colleague
	companion
interpretare
	reinterpret
	interpret
	express
	give a new twist
	take a new approach
	take a different view
	rethink
	reinvent
	envision
	render
	redefine
	turn into
	revolutionize
intervento
	[leave out]
	e.g.
	interventi di mantenimento
	maintenance
	measures
	steps
	actions
	aid
	assistance
	attendance
	presence
	comment
	remark
	cut-off
	drop off
	help
	intercession
	agency
	intervention
	interjection
	interference
	operation
	paper
	participation
	part
	involvement
	project
	report
	request to speak
	speech
	address
	talk
	to operate
	work
	paper
	contribution
	contributed paper
massimo
	top
	ultimate
	utmost
	highest level
	optimum
	optimal
	best
mostarda
	mostarda [with explanation]
	pickled candied fruit in a spicy syrup [di Cremona]
	fruit/sweet pickles [di Cremona]
non a caso
	significantly
	of course
	it’s no accident that
	not coincidentally
	tellingly
	predictably
	not surprisingly
	rather appropriately
	it was rather appropriate that
	it is no mere coincidence
novità
	our latest developments
	new [products]
	new additions
	innovation
	the latest
	recent addition
	recently introduced
	new this [season]
operativo
	active
	working
	executive
	enforceable
	operative
operatore
	specialist
	trade member
	operator
	staff
	those who operate (work)
	workers
	experts
	ancillary staff
	trader
	firm
	user
	professional
osservatorio
	watch
	observatory
	observation post
	window onto
	watchdog
	watchgroup
	monitoring centre
prevedere
	take into account
	envisage
	make provision for
	[turn around sentence with] planned
	considered
	decided
	anticipate
	call for
	contemplate
	cover
	entail
	foresee
	include
	involve
	is expected to include/involve
	make available
	mean
	require
	take into account
	provide for
proposta/offerta
	concept
	availability
	available
	supply
	opportunities
	bid
	offer
	submission of tender
	tender
	offering
	donation
	contribution
	proposal
	proposition
	public issue
	quotation
	bargain
	overture
	product
	services
	suggestions
punto di riferimento
	provides a blueprint
	framework
	template
	guidelines
	benchmark
	lodestar
	outstanding landmark
	fiducial points
	path
	a stable and reliable platform
	frame of reference
	last word
	touchstone
	source of advice/information
	consultant
	contact
	resource
	standard setter
	top name
	ne plus ultra
	embodiment
	reference
	landmark
	cornerstone
	baseline
razionale
	carefully-planned
	suitable
	sensible
	practical
	appropriate
	streamlined
realizzare
	complete
	implement
	put in effect
	create
	make
	build
	realize
realtà
	e.g.
	Acme Supplies has become a force to be reckoned with … has firmly established itself…
	business
	situation
	realm
riqualificazione
	redevelopment
	improvement
	renovation
	upgrading
	retraining
	restructuring
	conversion
	renewal
scandire
scansione	mark
	underline
	highlight
	rhythms
	scenes
	accents
sinergia
	in concert
	duet
	in chorus
	cross-pollination
	accord
	alliance
	bonding
	coalition
	combination
	combined efforts
	compatibility
	concord
	teamwork
	working together
	team spirit
	working in unison
strumenti culturali
	sophistication
	cultural wherewithal
	cultural baggage
	cultural background
	cultural influences
	orientation
	education
tecnica	technique
	procedure
	method
tecnico	specialist
	engineer
	expert
	skilled worker
	authority
	professional
	technician
territorio	area
	space
	local
	place
	on-site
	territory
	terrain
	domain
	land
	landscape
tra l’altro
	inter alia
	run the gamut
	range
	encompass
	actually
	in fact
	moreover
	besides
	etc.
unire
	incorporate [rewording the sentence and leaving it out]
	combine
	run the gamut
	mix
	encompass
	join
	range
	include
	mix
	link
	blend
	merge
	bring together
	couple
	marry
	mingle
	fuse
	meld
	gel (jell)
	bond
	incorporate
	mate
	team up with
	coalesce
	amalgamate
	unite
valorizzare
	to increase the value of
	to increase the prestige of
	enhance the status of
	increase the standing of
	enhance the image of
	to value
	(waste) to recover
	set value on
	enhance
	harness
	adding or maximizing value
	realize
	promote
	to develop
	to leverage
	to utilize
	to champion
vantare
	benefit from
	offer + [bragging adj.]
	[can] take pride in
	[can] claim
	enjoy
vero e proprio
	actual
	full-blown
	full(y)-fledged
	true
	proper
	literally
	true-bred
	real
	absolute
	authentic
	authenticated
	bona fide
	certain
	certified
	complete
	complete and utter
	dinkum
	genuine
	guaranteed
	in every/the true/the generally accepted sense of the word
	kosher
	natural
	official
	prize
	proper
	pukka
	real
	recognised
	right
	total
	undeniable
	utter
	valid
	veritable
	positive
	out-and-out
	through-and-through