How to Talk About the Seasons in Italian

Cambio di stagione, or change of seasons, is an important event that happens two times a year for Italians. Why two times a year and not four? Because this cambio I’m referring to is the one related to wardrobe. As summer ends and fall begins, Italians open their wardrobes (armadi) and take out their winter…

How to Say “I don’t remember” in Italian

Cher and I are contacted frequently by our lovely readers who want to ask questions or just send us quick notes as a way to practice Italian (thank you by the way, we love your emails!). And, in all these messages, over the years, we started to notice a theme. When someone can’t recall something…

Dialogue: Vacationing in the South at the Beach, Pt. II

At The Iceberg Project, we believe the only way you can truly learn a language is by using it in real life. (We also believe that Italian is the best foreign language to learn.) To help you get that real-life experience, we put together this dialogue for you. It’s about a couple — one Italian…

Dialogue: Vacationing in the South at the Beach, Pt. I

29 Italian Insults that Will Make You Laugh Out Loud

There is something so satisfying about learning swear words in another language. That’s why so many new language learners rush to ask native speakers how to say things like, “f*ck you,” “sh*t,” and “you’re an idiot.” After Rachel wrote this article with 8 swear words to add sass to your Italian vocabulary, we thought it…

10 Italian Phrases to Use When You Just Don’t Understand

Let’s all admit it. Every single one of us, when learning a new language, has had a moment of utter and complete confusion. Perhaps someone is talking too fast, or they used words and verb tenses you haven’t studied yet. Or, they just have a funny accent that makes it harder for you to grapple…

Italian Word Speed Dates: Poi and Così

Whoa, it’s been a looooong since I wrote a couple of vocabulary speed dates for you. NOT OKAY. That’s why I’m back in this article to talk to you all about how to use the Italian words “poi” and “così.” I would describe both of these as “connector words,” or words that you use to…

How to Say “What does that have to do with anything?” in Italian

Have you ever heard the verb “entrarci”? It’s a pronominal verb (basically a verb + pronoun combo), and it means “to have to do with.” Typically, you won’t hear it as the full form. In the present tense (il presente indicativo), you’ll hear: — C’entra (singular) — C’entrano (plural) Unfamiliar with singular and plural in…

3 Common Mistakes English Speakers Make with Italian Pronouns

Pronouns are like pesky little siblings that won’t leave you alone. As much as you try to avoid them, they still pop up and expect your full attention. Since they’re not going away anytime soon, it’s time you learned to love them. One way you can do that is by learning the common mistakes English…

Dialogue: Learning Italian with a Private Tutor, Pt. II

(1) Me: Poi Paolo senti, c’è una parola che mi manda ai pazzi. La adoro ma non so mai come cavolo usarla! –Paolo, listen, there is a word that makes me crazy. I adore it, but I have no idea how the heck to use it! (2) Paolo: Qual è? – What is it? (3) Me:…

5 Tips for Wine Tasting in Italy

Wine tasting can be intimidating. I clearly remember my anxiety when I just started drinking wine and the waiter arrived at my table asking for my drink order. In the beginning, I had 1) no idea what the difference between a pinot grigio and a chardonnay was and 2) was completely confused by the whole…

An Inside Look at Neighborhoods in Italy

In che zona vivi? If you haven’t spent a lot of time in Italy, this will be a cultural lesson as well as a vocab lesson. The reason is because here in the boot, we speak frequently of “zones” or neighborhoods, zone also called, quartiere. They can be within a city, within a region or…

The Iceberg Project Italian

The Iceberg Project was created from a desire to travel to Italy & speak the language with ease, comfort and confidence. Now, you'll find addictive language & culture lessons for students eager to become conversational in Italian.