It’s been awhile since I’ve done a post like this and I thought it’d be fun to brush up on some Festive Italian vocabulary. I’ve rounded up four very commonly used Christmas words/phrases; let’s see how many of them you already know!
We hope you enjoy learning these words and phrases. If you’d like to come to Italy and practice your Italian, please browse our Small Group Tours in Calabria and Southern Italy.
Buon Natale (Pronounced: bwohn nah-tah-leh)
I had to start with this one because it’s probably the most important Christmas phrase of all. If translated directly, it means “Good Christmas,” but in Italy, it’s used instead of “Merry Christmas.” As you can imagine, this Christmas greeting can be heard everywhere in the weeks leading up to the holiday.
Presepe (Pronounced: preh-seh-peh)
In December, it’s impossible to visit Italy without encountering a presepe, which translates to Nativity Scene in English. These Italian nativity scenes can be found in various places, including private homes, public buildings, churches, shops, restaurants, and bars.
Panettone (Pronounced: pan-eh-toe-neh)
Panettone is a sweet bread commonly eaten during the Christmas season. In local supermarkets, you will find plenty of these treats available in various flavors, including chocolate, hazelnut, and pistachio.
Stella di Natale (Pronounced: steh-la dee nah-tah-leh)
The poinsettia, with its vibrant red leaves, is a popular symbol of the Christmas season. In Italy, the poinsettia is known as “Stella di Natale,” which means “Christmas Star.” Isn’t that lovely?
Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season! Buon Natale!
If you’d like to take your explorations of the Italian language culture to the next level, join us for a Small Group Tour in Southern Italy.
