Page 20 - Italian-American Herald - February 2025

20 ITALIANAMERICANHERALD.COM | FEBRUARY 2025 ITALIAN-AMERICAN HERALD
ITALIAN MADE FUN & SIMPLE
For Valentine’s Day alla italiana we offer
some background and vocabulary to use with
loved ones.
Italian lovers are famous throughout
history: Paolo and Francesca, the ill-fated pair
described in Dante’s “La Divina Commedia;”
Romeo e Giulietta (Romeo and Juliet), the
two young lovers from Verona immortalized
by Shakespeare; and Renzo and Lucia in
“I Promessi Sposi,” written by Alessandro
Manzoni from 1825-27, who succeeded in
marrying each other only after overcoming
many difficulties and obstacles. Romeo and
Juliet are so well known that their love story
draws more than 2 million visitors a year to
Verona to view the balcony at the residence of
the Cappelletti family, whose name inspired
Shakespeare’s Capulet family.
In classical history, the Roman holiday
Lupercalia was a pagan spring celebration.
Priests called luperci participated in ritual
sacrifices and fertility rites during the wild,
chaotic festivities.
With all this history of love and romance,
spring lust and eros, debauchery and revelry,
it would only seem natural that Italy, the land
of romance, would celebrate Valentine’s Day
with great passion and joy.
Although Italy may be the country of love
and lovers, the holiday as celebrated today
has taken on an American flavor, much like
Halloween or Mother’s Day. A significant
difference is that in Italy it is exclusively a
celebration for couples or lovers. Children,
family members, and friends do not usually
exchange cards or presents.
However, it is an important holiday to
show their beloved how much they care.
Depending on the age of the celebrants,
gifts could include red roses or perfume,
diamonds, or the traditional box of
ciccolatini.
The Italian language is rich in a
vocabulary of expressions and idioms, and
frasi d’amore on Valentine’s Day are especially
endearing. In English, the expression “I love
you” is ubiquitous; while in Italian “Ti amo”
is used only between lovers, never with
friends, family, or inanimate objects. Instead,
the expression “Ti voglio bene” is preferred.
Here are some words and key phrases to
impress your “tesoro” this Valentine’s Day.
gli abbracci – hugs
affettuoso – affectionate
l’amante – lover
i baci – kisses
 la cartolina d’auguri per San Valentino –
Valentine’s Day card
i cioccolatini – chocolates
il diamante – diamond
Illustration of
Romeo and Juliet.
ADOBE
la festa di San Valentino – the festival of St.
Valentine
il/la fidanzato/a – fiancé/fiancée
i fiori – flowers
gli innamorati – lovers
provocante – provocative, sexy
sedurre – to seduce
sessuale – sexual
 le smancerie – over-wrought, cloying
sentiments
il mio tesoro – my darling
Ti penso sempre – I always think of you.
Mi manchi – I miss you.
Come sei bella – How beautiful you are.
Voglio vederti – I want to see you tonight.
 Tu sei una stella … la mia stella – You are
a star … my star.
Cara mia, ti voglio bene – My darling, I
love you.
This month’s proverb
It comes from Sicily:
Sicilianu: L’Amuri è musuratu, cu lu
porta, l’havi purtatu.
Italiano: L’amore è misurato, chi lo porta, lo
riavrà indietro.
English translation: (literally) Love is measured,
whoever carries it will get it back.
This month’s falso amico
It is camera. It means room. E.g., Avete
una camera con vista? (Do you have a room
with a view?) A photo camera in Italian is
macchina fotografica.