This episode’s audio doesn’t exist, and we have technology to blame (poof! gone into cyberspace!). Instead of listening to this episode, feel free to use the notes below to learn more about the topic. And if you’re like, “CHER, NO. I NEED THIS EPISODE,” then let me know in the comments below. I’ll put it on my list to record again!

Melissa Muldoon, of Diario di una Studentessa Matta, and I recorded a special podcast episode for all of you to learn about Christmas phrases + traditions in Italy.

You can visit Melissa’s post, which includes Rossella’s transcript in Italian and English, at her site here.

*If you’re here and you wanted to see the show notes for the post on the word proprio, go here.

Italian phrases for Natale:

— Buon Natale! – Merry Christmas!
— Buone feste! – Happy Holidays!
— Felice anno! – Happy New Year!
— Buon anno!  – Happy New Year!
— Albero di Natale – Chrismas Tree
— Fare l’albero  Put up/decorate the tree
— Gli addobbi – Ornaments
— Le decorazioni – Decorations
— Decorare la casa – Decorate the house
— Babbo Natale – Santa Clause
— Babbo Natale arriva alla mezzanotte – Santa Clause arrives at midnight.
— Le renne di Babbo Natale – Santa Clause’s reindeer
— La slitta – sleigh
— Le tradizioni natalizie – Christmas traditions
— Cappello di Natale – Santa’s hat
— I regali – Gifts
— Apriamo i regali! – Let’s open the gifts!
— le luci natalizie  – Christmas lights
— la vigilia di Natale – Christmas Eve
— Andare a messa in chiesa – To go to mass
— Pranzo di Natale con la famiglia – Christmas dinner with the family
— Il cenone – Big dinner

Phrases from Rossella’s clip

— Vengono allestiti – Prepared

Allestire means to prepare, allestire una vetrina, allestira un mercatino

— Ormai – By now

Ormai questa è diventata una tradizione consolidata.

Una tradizione consolidata = an established tradition

— Sulla sponda – On the banks (Qui nella piccola cittadina di Garda, sulla sponda veronese del lago… )

— Innanzi tutto – First of all (Innanzi tutto quello che li caratterizza sono le  piccole casette di legno allineate lungo percorsi pedonali fra le vie del paese.)

— Le piccole casette di legno allineate lungo percorsi pedonali. – The small houses built of wood lining the sidewalks

— L’atmosfera è ancora più suggestiva. – The atmosphere is even more striking.

— Dagli stand arrivano profumi di  cannella e di spezie! – The aromas of cinnamon and spices come from the stands!

— Una grande pista di pattinaggio sul ghiacci  – a large skating rink

Resources mentioned:

— Melissa’s post about Christmas music
— Italian Jingle Bells
— Recipe for croccante on Melissa’s site
— Matta Designs – Melissa’s store for Christmas gifts for the Italophile in your life
— Not Your Typical Tourist Phrasebook/Workbook
— Italian Trips with Melissa

Other Due Ragazze Pazze Episodes

— 32 Italian Valentine’s Vocabulary and Pick-Up Phrases [Due Ragazze Pazze]