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Abruzzo: A Feast for the Senses 13-day tour from 29 Aug - 10 Sept 2012

Experience Abruzzo's authentic culture, traditions & festivals, gastronomic delights, heritage & unspoilt beauty

Italian: the language of love

One of the reasons why I started learning the Italian language was because I loved the musicality of it. When you listen to it, you can appreciate why Italians use their hands when they talk. It’s a lingo that requires – no, demands – movement.

And nowhere is it more beautiful sounding than in words and expressions of love.

In English we call our loved ones 'darling', 'sweetheart' and 'love', which are all very nice, but they sound mundane compared to their Italian equivalent: ‘tesoro/a’ (darling), ‘innamorata/o’ (sweetheart) and ‘amore’ (love).

So this Valentine’s Day, why not make an impression by surprising your special one with these sweet nothings:

Ti amo tanto – I love you a lot
Ti penso ogni giorno – I think of you everyday
Senza di te la mia vita non ha senso – without you my life means nothing
Non posso vivere senza di te – I cannot live without you
Voglio vivere il resto della mia vita con te – I want to live the rest of my life with you
Come sei bella – you are like a star
Cara mia sei tutto per me – my darling, you are everything to me
Giorno e notte sogno solo di te – Day and night I dream only of you

And when you do, make sure you do it like an Italian. Two things: one - wear decent clothes: board shorts and a tee shirt won’t do; and two, say it with a flourish, wave your hands and arms about hither thither.

(Native speakers - please feel free to correct me :))

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Permalink Reply by Marianna on February 13, 2012 at 19:49

Ciao Gary - che belli sentimenti--sei proprio un romantico!

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Permalink Reply by Liana on February 14, 2012 at 22:03

Thanks Gary!.

My favourite is the one you mention - 'Tesoro' / Darling or Treasure, Tesoro mio / My treasure

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Permalink Reply by Steve Giles on February 29, 2012 at 8:37

Hi Gary,

It sounds like you may have done very well on Valentine's day.

I have been hearing for quite some time that Italian is the language of LOVE. I agree that when compared with the English language we fall well short. Our accent dosen't help our cause either. You hear men calling their wives "daaarlin."

I would like to bring my own observation to the debate. I have had many occasions over the past three or four years to hear many Italians, both husband and wife, and many friends speaking in Italian. Nearly all the conversations appear to become heated whether they are friendly discussions or in fact disagreements. I don't believe the non Italian speaking person can tell the difference.

When listening to these conversations, they rarely appear to be "in the language of love" they just sound like two old crows having a go.

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Permalink Reply by Gary Chow on March 28, 2012 at 11:07

PMSL - I agree! Read the book by Zoe Boccabella. She says the same thing.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Giles on March 29, 2012 at 5:22

Hi Gary,

Thanks for the feed back. I'll try and have a look at the book by Zoe. We are currently in Spain, having travelled via both Italy and France. I truly love both the Italian and French language. I still making my mind up over Spanish. All this culture and all this history.