Italian Traditions in Italian

46 useful Italian words about Italian Traditions. Tap the speaker to hear each word.

Italian Festivals
ItalianMeaning
Il PalioHistorical horse race / Competition between districts
La ContradaCity district / Ward (often in competition)
Il Carro allegoricoCarnival float
La MascheraMask / Costume
FerragostoMid-August holiday (Aug 15th)
La SagraLocal food festival
Il Corteo storicoHistorical parade / Procession
I Fuochi d'artificioFireworks
La VigiliaEve (usually of a holiday)
Il Santo PatronoPatron Saint
Il BandieratoreFlag thrower
La QuaresimaLent
Family Traditions
ItalianMeaning
Il Pranzo della domenicaSunday lunch (a ritual family meal)
I Parenti serpentiFeuding relatives (lit: snake relatives)
La Famiglia allargataExtended family / Blended family
Il CapofamigliaHead of the family
Fare le ore piccoleTo stay up very late (into the small hours)
Mettere su casaTo set up a home / To move in together
Il MammonismoExcessive attachment to one's mother (Mammoni)
TramandareTo hand down / To pass on (traditions)
Il CorredoTrousseau / Linens and items for a new home
L'OspitalitàHospitality
Il RicevimentoReception (wedding or formal party)
Andare a trovare (qualcuno)To go visit (someone)
Religious Customs
ItalianMeaning
Il PresepeNativity scene / Crèche
La ProcessioneReligious procession
Il PellegrinaggioPilgrimage
La Via CrucisStations of the Cross
Il DigiunoFasting
La Messa di mezzanotteMidnight Mass
L'OnomasticoName day (celebration of your saint's day)
La PasquettaEaster Monday (lit: Little Easter)
Il VotoReligious vow / Promise to a saint
La DevozioneDevotion
La ReliquiaRelic
Il CultoWorship / Cult (of a specific saint)
Cultural Practices
ItalianMeaning
Il Bel CantoBeautiful singing (operatic style)
La SfilataFashion show / Runway
L'ArtigianatoCraftsmanship / Artisanship
Il LibrettoThe text of an opera (lit: little book)
SartorialeTailored / Related to tailoring
L'AllestimentoStaging / Set design / Preparation
All'avanguardiaCutting-edge / Avant-garde
Il LoggioneThe upper gallery (cheapest seats in an opera house)
La MaisonFashion house
Il SopralluogoOn-site inspection / Survey

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