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Instantly Italy

Italian speaking practice and grammar tutoring

Italian Language For English Speakers: The Word ‘Time’ In Italian

07/25/2019

The word 'time' in Italian is one of the topics English speakers struggle the most when learning Italian. In this post, you'll find a guide to help you
I have saved this post on a downloadable pdf file. You can find it in Your Italian Toolbox, a section of Instantly Italy where you’ll find Italian learning materials. You can get access to it by subscribing here.

When I write about the word ‘time’ in Italian, I am not referring to how to ask and tell the time in Italian, but to the actual English word time. 

As a matter of fact, most of my students are English speakers and after working with them for a while, I noticed that most of them show the same weaknesses and struggle with the same topics, when it comes to speaking Italian: one of them is undoubtedly the word time.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Italian language 1 Comment

È ora di lavorare! A List of Words and Phrases to Improve Your Italian Work Vocabulary

05/23/2019

In this post, you will find some of the most useful Italian words and phrases that are related to work (plus a downloadable file)
I have prepared a pdf file with all the Italian words and phrases you’ll find in this post. You can find it in Your Italian Toolbox, a section of Instantly Italy where you’ll find Italian learning materials. You can get access to it by subscribing here.

I bet you are not studying Italian in order to work in Italy. 

Probably you are doing it to reconnect with your roots and ancestors, maybe you are doing it because you came to Italy once and fell in love with the country or maybe just because you think that Italian is a wonderful language and you want to be able to say something more than “Buongiorno!“, when you visit Italy.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Italian language Leave a Comment

Do You Know How To Properly Use Prego When Speaking Italian?

03/14/2019

In this post, I write about all the different ways of using the interjection "prego" when speaking Italian
Subscribe to the Vespa rides and get full access to Your Italian Toolbox, a library of language learning materials that you can use to practice Italian.

Last week, while I was chatting with a student, I got asked one of the simplest questions ever. 

I was having a Chiacchieriamo session with a lovely lady I get to catch with every morning at breakfast time. She has been living in Italy for a few years now and has a very good command of the language but is still struggling with some very simple things.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Italian language 1 Comment

Instantly Italy Has Just Turned Four, Let’s Celebrate!

03/07/2019

Instantly Italy Has Turned Four, Let's Celebrate
Subscribe to the Vespa rides and get full access to Your Italian Toolbox, a library of language learning materials that you can use to practice Italian.

I almost can’t believe I have been running Instantly Italy for four years now!

Every year the birthday of my business arrives without me thinking about it. It is always a surprise but also a time to look back and reflect on my work. I always take this moment as an opportunity to think about what I have done, what I could have done better, what was good and what not and to see how can I improve and do better in the future.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Italian language 2 Comments

It’s Valentine’s Day! Here Are Some Italian Words Related To Love That You May Need To Know

02/14/2019

It's Valentine's Day! If you want to talk about love, why don't you do it in Italian? In this post, you'll find some useful words and phrases to be used when love is involved.
I have prepared a pdf file with all the Italian words and phrases you’ll find in this post. You can find it in Your Italian Toolbox, a section of Instantly Italy where you’ll find Italian learning materials. You can get access to it by subscribing here.

Buon San Valentino! Do you want to speak of love? Why don’t you do it in Italian?

They always say that Italian is the language of love, right? So, it is useful to know some nice Italian words to use if you want to impress your loved one – whether he or she is Italian or not.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Italian language Leave a Comment

Some of my favorite Italian classic novels (available in English too)

02/07/2019

Finding Italian books in English can be quite challenging. In this post, you'll find some of my favorite Italian classic novels that are available in English as well.
Subscribe to the Vespa rides and get full access to Your Italian Toolbox, a library of language learning materials that you can use to practice Italian.

“Can you recommend some good Italian books?” is one of the questions I get asked the most. 

Reading is one of my most favorite things in life, so this question always makes me really happy. I try to write about books as much as I can, here on my blog, and I am always looking for interesting reads to suggest to you.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Books about Italy, Italian language 8 Comments

Some English Words That Are Used In Italian With A Different Meaning

12/06/2018

The Italian language is full of English words that have a completely different meaning. In this post, you'll find a list of some of them plus some fake English words too.
Subscribe to the Vespa rides and get full access to Your Italian Toolbox, a library of language learning materials that you can use to practice Italian.

The Italian language includes some English words used with a different meaning but also words that Italians think are English when actually they are not. 

One of the funniest things about my work is chatting with people and laughing with them about words with different meanings or uses, depending on the language.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Italian language 10 Comments

Some Common Italian Grammar Mistakes That Native Speakers Make All The Time

11/07/2018

Are you scared of speaking Italian? Well, you shouldn't worry too much because Italian natives makes a lot of mistakes as well! In this post, you'll find some common Italian grammar mistakes that Italian natives make all the time!
Subscribe to the Vespa rides and get full access to Your Italian Toolbox, a library of language learning materials that you can use to practice Italian.

Are you scared of speaking Italian? Are you afraid of making mistakes? No, worries. We Italians make them all the time (myself included).

I know, I teach Italian and I shouldn’t admit that sometimes I make little mistakes when speaking my own language. That’s very unprofessional of me, right? Well, no, I don’t think so.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Italian language 11 Comments

How To Buy Groceries in Italy: What To Say And Do in Italian Grocery Stores and Supermarkets

10/11/2018

In this post, you'll find some tips and information about how to buy groceries in Italy (language tips included!)
Subscribe to the Vespa rides and get full access to Your Italian Toolbox, a library of language learning materials that you can use to practice Italian.

Shopping for food is one of the activities like the most when I am abroad.

Going to open-air markets or visiting the supermarket is a true adventure and a great way to know a certain town or country better: the farther from your hometown you are, the funnier it is.  There is a lot you can learn about a place if you go grocery shopping, so it’s an experience I totally recommend you, in Italy especially, where food is more than a religion.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Italian language 8 Comments

10 Basic Italian Phrases You Need To Know If You Visit Italy (Plus One)

09/12/2018

If you visit Italy for work or tourism, knowing a few basic Italian phrases can help you a great deal. In this post, you'll find all the most useful phrases + a downloadble pdf + audio file for you.
Subscribe to the Vespa rides and get full access to Your Italian Toolbox, a library of language learning materials that you can use to practice Italian.

You don’t need to speak Italian if you come to Italy, obviously, but knowing a few basic phrases could definitely help. 

Knowing a bit of the language is a matter of survival if you go to remote or off-the-beaten-track Italian locations but mastering a few basic words and phrases can be a great idea even if you go to tourist places, where most people know English.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Italian language 8 Comments

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Ciao!

My name is Cinzia and Italy is the place I call home.

Books feed my soul, music fills my days and travelling makes my life richer. I am a day dreamer, tireless walker and believer in the power of little things.

I’ve created Instantly Italy to take you to Italy with me and explore together this crazy but “oh so lovely” country. Read More…

Latest from the blog

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[Hidden Italy] San Pellegrino Terme, the City of Water and Much More

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