Culture & Etiquette

1. Quannu è u Carnilivari di Venezia?

   When is the Venice Carnival?

   Usage

   Asks the dates of a carnival

   Grammar Note

   Sicilians say Carnilivari for carnival. Replace the place name to ask about other towns. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

2. Mi piaci assai l'arti taliana

   I like Italian art a lot

   Usage

   Tells a local how much you enjoy the art

   Grammar Note

   Mi piaci means "is pleasing to me", with the liked thing as subject. Talianu means "Italian". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

3. Chi voli diri sta tradizzioni?

   What does this tradition mean?

   Usage

   Asks a local what a custom means

   Grammar Note

   Voli diri literally "wants to say" means "means". The Italian -zione ending is written -zzioni. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

4. Chi è u Palio di Siena?

   What is the Palio di Siena?

   Usage

   Asks a local to explain a famous festival

   Grammar Note

   Chi è ...? asks "what is ...?". Palio is a proper name and stays unchanged. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

5. Vurrìa mparari a fari a pasta

   I would like to learn how to make pasta

   Usage

   Expresses interest in a cooking class

   Grammar Note

   Vurria is the conditional of vuliri, a polite "I would like". Mparari a + infinitive means "learn to ...". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

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