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, write it in the comments.
| 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 | |
| allestimento | |
| installation | |
| exhibition design | |
| staging | |
| set up | |
| display | |
| preparation | |
| arrangement | |
| 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] | |
| 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 … | |
| approfondire | |
| give insight | |
| investigate | |
| broaden | |
| deepen | |
| delve into | |
| discuss in-depth | |
| 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 | |
| articolazione | |
| structure | |
| layout | |
| complexity [wine] | |
| configuration | |
| joint [anatomy] | |
| artigiano (artigianale) | |
| small-business | |
| craftsman | |
| homemade | |
| made here | |
| amateur | |
| traditional | |
| small-scale | |
| local | |
| small and medium-sized enterprises | |
| hand-crafted | |
| artisanal | |
| mom and pop stores | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| articulate | |
| evolve | |
| diversi | |
| miscellaneous | |
| sundry | |
| various | |
| different | |
| varying | |
| several | |
| a variety of | |
| assorted | |
| numerous | |
| a number of | |
| divulgativo | |
| informative | |
| popular | |
| educational | |
| for general public | |
| 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 | |
| recherché | |
| upmarket | |
| emozionale | striking |
| inspiring | |
| high-impact | |
| motivational | |
| 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 | |
| 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] | |
| because of | |
| 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 | |
| caller | |
| contact (person) | |
| counterpart | |
| conversation partner | |
| representative | |
| interviewer | |
| ombudsman | |
| stakeholder | |
| colleague | |
| companion | |
| voice | |
| 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 | |
| ironia/ironico | |
| humor | |
| wit | |
| tongue-in-cheek | |
| cleverness | |
| sassy | |
| whimsy | |
| camp | |
| humorous | |
| post-modern | |
| lavorazione | |
| processing | |
| working | |
| machining | |
| tooling | |
| workmanship | |
| massimo | |
| top | |
| ultimate | |
| utmost | |
| highest level | |
| optimum | |
| optimal | |
| best | |
| materico | tangible |
| substantial | |
| tactile | |
| textured | |
| 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 | |
| passione | |
| love | |
| devotion | |
| dedication | |
| enthusiasm | |
| heart | |
| fascination | |
| percorso | |
| route | |
| path | |
| trajectory | |
| exhibition narrative | |
| course | |
| pathway | |
| 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 | |
| protagonista | |
| key player | |
| …is featured | |
| leading figure | |
| star | |
| main character | |
| hero | |
| at center stage | |
| 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 | |
| create, build, bring to fruition | |
| realtà | |
| 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 | |
| riscatto/riscattarsi | |
| redemption | |
| release | |
| delivery | |
| ransom | |
| Improving one’s condition | |
| scandire/scansione | |
| mark | |
| underline | |
| highlight | |
| rhythms | |
| scenes | |
| accents | |
| pace | |
| scheda | |
| card | |
| description | |
| entry | |
| item | |
| tab | |
| board | |
| sheet | |
| ballot | |
| profile | |
| file | |
| segno | |
| mark | |
| sign | |
| symbol | |
| signifier | |
| feature | |
| indication | |
| 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 | |
| sguardo | |
| gaze | |
| viewpoint | |
| perspective | |
| observer’s standpoint | |
| vision | |
| look | |
| glance | |
| glimpse | |
| strumenti culturali | |
| sophistication | |
| cultural wherewithal | |
| cultural baggage | |
| cultural background | |
| cultural influences | |
| orientation | |
| education | |
| suggestivo | |
| evocative | |
| appealing | |
| high impact | |
| picturesque | |
| inspiring | |
| alluring | |
| amazing | |
| impressive | |
| 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 | |
| community | |
| testimoniare | |
| bear witness | |
| bespeak | |
| testify | |
| show | |
| vouch for | |
| tra ____ e ____ | |
| between __ and ___ | |
| poised between | |
| from ___ to ___ | |
| ___ and ___ | |
| tra l’altro | |
| inter alia | |
| run the gamut | |
| range | |
| encompass | |
| actually | |
| in fact | |
| moreover | |
| besides | |
| etc. | |
| unire | |
| 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 capitalize on | |
| to make the most of | |
| to exploit | |
| 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 | |
| nothing short of | |
| 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 | |
| vocazione | |
| calling | |
| purpose | |
| profession | |
| vocation | |
| dedication | |
| commitment |
great list & great skill collaboration- i’d add to artigianale “homemade” and “made here” when found in context of foodstuffs made my shops or restaurants which are a key part of their identity quality or marketing such as gelato artigianale
Thanks, Francesca. Those are good ones. Though I know homemade is common for gelato, it always bothered me because it’s not technically true. It was made in the shop not home!
Hi Miriam, thanks so much for this list. Very useful.
A couple of comments:
Under “realizzare” you, quite rightly, give “realise”. Would it be worth adding something like: in the sense of “make real”, i.e., create, build, bring to fruition?
Otherwise someone might think that it means “to become aware of”. Which it does not, in Italian, despite that terrible trend for adding the English meaning to Italian words that share a common root with the English (and ignoring the fact that the meanings have diverged since).
Under “riscatto”, you have “blackmail”. But is that not: ricatto? (I always get them muddled up: because, as a result of a “ricatto” (blackmail), you pay a “riscatto” (ransom)!
Under “riscatto” is it worth adding “riscattarsi”, which is not just redeeming oneself for some failing, but is also improving one’s condition, lifting oneself out of poverty, etc
Another suggestion for “vero e proprio”: nothing short of?
One to add to the list: “responsabile (noun)”: manager, etc?
Another, since I was a victim and I cringe to this day, is a plural:
“colli” could be “parcels, hillsides, or necks.
Thanks again!
Great tips and corrections! Thanks! With “realize” I always think of one victim of this false friend, a company who named itself “Werealize.com” and of course not in that sense. Always check with a native before you buy a domain name! I’ve mainly removed parenthetical comments about it depending on the context, as that is always true and the list is meant for translators who, of course, choose based on that. But “realizzare” is so rarely “to realize” and when it is, it’s not a challenge, so I’ve removed it. I really like “nothing short of” as I get stuck using “full-fledged” too much and need to mix it up!