Italian Words in Other Languages
Whenever I travel abroad, I am always surprised to see how many Italian words are used in other countries. And I am even more surprised of is the fact that most of them, change their meaning and use.
For instance, imagine you are at a cafe and order a latte. Great, you’re having a creamy espresso with steamed milk. But, actually, in Italian “latte” simply means “milk”.
Here, I want to show you the most common Italian words that are used abroad. Since you will probably know their meaning, I will not give you their English translation, but rather their use in Italian and their etymology.
This article is not meant to change the way these words are used abroad, it would be too ambitious! But if you are aiming at learning Italian, I think it is important that you know more about Italian vocabulary.
Italian Words Used in English
Food
- Al dente
- Contextual Use in Italian: Describing the ideal texture of pasta, which has to be tough when bit.
- Etymology: It directly derives from the Italian culinary terminology
- Antipasto
- Contextual Use in Italian: Appetizer or starter course
- Etymology: From Latin “anti” (before) and “pastus” (meal)
- Bruschetta
- Contextual Use in Italian: Toasted bread with toppings
- Etymology: From Italian “bruscare”, to toast
- Cappuccino
- Contextual Use in Italian: Coffee with steamed milk and foam
- Etymology: Named for its color resemblance to Capuchin robes
- Espresso
- Contextual Use in Italian: A strong coffee made of pressed ground coffee beans
- Etymology: From Latin “exprimere”, “ex” (out) and “primere” (to press)
- Gelato
- Contextual Use in Italian: Italian-style ice cream
- Etymology: From Italian “gelare” (to freeze)
- Gnocchi
- Contextual Use in Italian: Small potato dumplings
- Etymology: It probably derives from the Lombard “knohhil”, which indicates the wood knot
- Mozzarella
- Contextual Use in Italian: Soft cheese
- Etymology: It directly derives from the Italian culinary terminology
- Pasta
- Contextual Use in Italian: Various forms of dough made from wheat
- Etymology: It directly derives from the Italian culinary terminology
- Pesto
- Contextual Use in Italian: Sauce made from basil, garlic, and cheese
- Etymology: From Italian “pestare” (to crush)
- Pizza
- Contextual Use in Italian: A dish of flatbread with toppings
- Etymology: Probably derived from the vulgar Latin “pisiare”, meaning “pestare” (to press)
- Spaghetti
- Contextual Use in Italian: Long, thin pasta
- Etymology: It directly derives from the Italian culinary terminology
Music
- Allegro
- Contextual Use in Italian: It refers to a fast, lively tempo in music
- Etymology: From Latin “alacer”, meaning “lively”
- Concerto
- Contextual Use in Italian: A musical composition designed for a soloist accompanied by an orchestra
- Etymology: From Latin “concertare” meaning “to contend, to strive together”
- Dolce
- Contextual Use in Italian: Played softly and sweetly
- Etymology: From Italian “dolce,” meaning “sweet” or “soft,” from Latin “dulcis”
- Fortissimo
- Contextual Use in Italian: Played very loudly
- Etymology: From Latin “fortis” (strong) and “issimo” (suffix indicating superlative)
- Piano
- Contextual Use in Italian: Played softly
- Etymology: From Latin “planus” (flat, level)
- Ritmo
- Contextual Use in Italian: The underlying beat or pacing of the music
- Etymology: From Greek “rhythmos” meaning “measured movement”
- Tempo
- Contextual Use in Italian: The speed at which a piece of music is played
- Etymology: From Latin “tempus”
Art
- Graffiti
- Contextual Use in Italian: Drawings or writing on walls
- Etymology: From the Latin “graphium” (to write)
- Scenario
- Contextual Use in Italian: Plot outline, setting
- Etymology: From Latin “scaenarium” (space for scenes)
- Studio
- Contextual Use in Italian: Workspace for artists, scholars
- Etymology: From Latin “studium” (study)
Cinema
- Bravo
- Contextual Use in Italian: Used to applaud performers
- Etymology: Probably from the Latin “barbărus” in the sense of “wild, indomitable”
- Diva
- Contextual Use in Italian: A famous female singer or actress, often with a temperamental reputation
- Etymology: From Latin “divus” (divine)
- Giallo
- Contextual Use in Italian: Genre of crime or mystery fiction, typically featuring graphic horror elements
- Etymology: Named for the yellow covers of pulp novels in Italy
- Paparazzi
- Contextual Use in Italian: Celebrity photographers
- Etymology: From Federico Fellini’s film character Paparazzo in “La Dolce Vita”
Other
- Ciao
- Contextual Use in Italian: Informal greeting or farewell
- Etymology: From Venetian dialect “s-ciào vostro” (I am your slave)
- Lava
- Contextual Use in Italian: Molten rock from a volcano
- Etymology: From Latin “labes” (fall)
- Motto
- Contextual Use in Italian: A phrase that encapsulates the beliefs or ideals of an individual, family, or institution
- Etymology: From Latin “muttum”, derived from “muttire” (to whisper)
- Piazza
- Contextual Use in Italian: Town square
- Etymology: From Latin “platea” (wide road)
- Vendetta
- Contextual use in Italian: A series of retaliatory, vengeful, or hostile acts or exchange of such acts
- Etymology: From Latin “vindicare”, composed of “venum” (price) and “dicare” (to offer)
Why are Many Italian Words Used in Other Languages?
The Italian Language Worldwide
Italian words have become an important part of the vocabulary of other languages, especially the English language, which as a result, it is enriched in various ways. These words are now used in everyday conversations, enhancing speakers’ vocabulary and expressiveness.
Italian words are widely used especially when talking about pop culture and food, because Italian food has now became integral part of other culinary cultures. This integration highlights the dynamic nature of language and its ability to evolve by borrowing from different cultures.
The use of Italian words across different English-speaking regions demonstrates the global appreciation for Italian culture and its contributions to our daily vocabulary. This cultural exchange fosters a deeper connection and understanding among people from diverse backgrounds, making the English language richer and more vibrant.
However, there are notable differences in how Italian words are integrated into each language. These differences are influenced by the phonetic, grammatical, and cultural characteristics of each language.
For instance, while English tends to retain the original Italian pronunciation and spelling, French often adapts the pronunciation to fit its phonetic patterns.
Linguistic Borrowing Mechanisms
As a linguist, I like finding patterns and explanations as to why some linguistic phenomena occur. Therefore, here I want to explain the linguistic processes that underlie linguistic borrowing mechanisms.
Semantic shift
It occurs when the meaning of a borrowed word changes as it moves from the source language (Italian) to the target language (English). This can involve broadening (when a word’s meaning expands to cover more general concepts), narrowing (when a word’s meaning becomes more specific), or altering (when a word’s meaning completely change).
For example, the Italian word panini which in Italian is the plural form of “panino” (a small bread or sandwich) has narrowed its meaning in English to refer specifically to a type of grilled sandwich.
Morphological change
It involves adjustments to the structure of borrowed words, like spelling (to align with English conventions), pronunciation (to fit English phonetic patterns, ensuring the word is easier for English speakers to pronounce), and morphological rules (for instance, Italian pluralization rules may be altered to follow English norms).
A notable example is bruschetta (pronounced as “broo-sketta”), often anglicized to “broo-shetta” to fit English phonetic patterns. Pluralization is instead evident in the Italian word zucchina (courgette) whose plural is zucchine. However, English uses “zucchini” as both singular and plural, and sometimes it even adds “s” for pluralization.
Syntactic integration
It refers to how borrowed words are incorporated into the grammatical and syntactic structures of English. Most Italian words function as nouns, working as subjects or objects without requiring grammatical modification, while others are used as adjectives in English.
Ah, l’Italiano!
As an Italian native speaker, I believe that Italian words that are used in other languages really are a vibrant expressions of a shared cultural heritage. In fact, it is not a coincidence that most Italian words that are used abroad are linked to food!
Italian borrowed words enrich foreign languages, offering a way to better understand Italian culture. Each word is a little bridge, and crossing it can be as delightful as discovering a hidden street in Rome.
However, you have learned that the adaptation of Italian words into English involves a complex interplay of semantic shifts, morphological changes, and syntactic integration. These processes ensure that the borrowed terms are not only understood but also fit naturally within the English language, enriching its vocabulary and reflecting its dynamic nature.
Never forget that languages are always the result of a perfect mix of cultural context, phonetic rules, and historical references, which makes them unique and interesting.
