[2024-09-04] Learn Italian through a fun conversation!

piuttosto

Piuttosto is an Italian adverb that can be used to express preference or comparison. It can be translated as 'rather' in English. For example, 'Preferisco piuttosto il caffè al tè' means 'I prefer coffee to tea'. It can also be used to express a degree of something, like 'È piuttosto caldo oggi' meaning 'It's rather hot today'.

Here's how to use it:

• Preferirei un te piuttosto che un caffè.
• È un problema piuttosto complesso.
• Stiamo andando piuttosto lenti.

calcolare

In Italian, the verb 'calcolare' is used to express the act of calculating or computing something. It is a regular verb that follows the '-are' conjugation pattern. For example, 'calcolare il totale' means 'to calculate the total'. It is important to note that the pronunciation of 'calcolare' is slightly different from its English counterpart, with emphasis on the second syllable.

Here's how to use it:

• Puoi calcolare le mie tasse?
• Sapendo il raggio, puoi calcolare la circonferenza.
• Devo calcolare il tempo che ci vuole per arrivare a casa.

tradizione

The Italian word 'tradizione' is used to refer to the long-established customs, beliefs, and practices that are passed down from generation to generation. It is often used to describe cultural or familial practices that have been maintained over time, such as holiday celebrations or religious rituals. The word can also be used to refer to a style or method that has been passed down, such as a traditional way of cooking or crafting.

Here's how to use it:

• La tradizione gastronomica italiana è amata in tutto il mondo.
• Il Carnevale è una tradizione molto antica in Italia.
• Il rispetto per la tradizione è fondamentale nel baseball.

incontro

The Italian word 'incontro' is used to indicate a gathering or assembly of people for a specific purpose. It can be used in both a formal context, like a business meeting, and an informal context, like meeting a friend.

Here's how to use it:

• Ho un incontro domani.
• Spero che l'incontro vada bene.
• Ci siamo conosciuti in un incontro casuale.

strato

In Italian, the word 'strato' is used to describe a layer or level, similar to its English counterpart. It can refer to a layer of something physical, like a layer of soil or a layer of clothing, or it can refer to a layer in a more abstract sense, such as a layer of an organization or a layer in a computer network. The word is also used in the context of geology, where it refers to a specific layer of rock or sediment.

Here's how to use it:

• Il freddo viene dall'ultimo strato di neve.
• Strato dopo strato, ho pelato la cipolla.
• L'artista ha aggiunto uno strato di vernice sull'opera d'arte.

Two friends discuss their favorite sports and upcoming matches

Hai visto la partita di ieri sera?