Truncation, known as troncamento is the linguistic phenomenon where certain words are shortened when used in specific contexts to create a more informal expression or a more rhythmic or concise phrase.
Truncation is especially common with adjectives that precede masculine nouns and it must be distinguished from elision, which is the removal of a vowel and is indicated with an apostrophe (like l’amico for lo amico).
In Italian, truncation is more common in spoken language than in written language. However, some truncated words entered the Italian lexicon in their new truncated form and are used that way.
Let me show you some examples of truncation in Italian:
Grande often becomes gran, as in un gran giorno (a great day).
Santo becomes San before a consonant, like San Marco instead of Santo Marco.
Buono becomes buon as in un buon amico (a good friend).
You can try it yourself: say the word buongiorno and hear how it easily rolls off the tongue, resulting also more pleasing to the ear. If you’re interested in developing a better ear for these nuances, focus on how to develop pronunciation skills.
Truncation in Italian
Buono
In Italian, truncation affects the word buono in a way that is very similar to how definite articles behave.
Just as the definite articles il and lo are used in different contexts based on the noun they precede, buono is truncated to adapt to the sound and flow of the sentence, especially before a singular masculine noun starting with a consonant or a vowel.
Exceptions apply for singular masculine nouns starting with z, gn, ps, s followed by another consonant.
For example:
Stefano ha un buono stipendio, ma non un buon superiore.
Stefano has a good salary but not a good boss.
Bello
Also the adjective bello (beautiful) undergoes truncation in a way that is very similar to that of definite articles. In fact, it becomes bel when it comes before a singular masculine noun that would normally take il as the definite article.
Dovresti leggerlo, è un bel libro.
You should read it, it is a good book.
I created a table that shows the comparison between the adjective bello and definite articles:
Noun
Definite Article
Form of “Bello”
Example with Definite Article
Example with “Bello”
Libro(book)
Il
Bel
Il libro
Bel libro
Zaino (backpack)
Lo
Bello
Lo zaino
Bello zaino
Amico (friend)
L’
Bell’
L’amico
Bell’amico
Libri(books)
I
Bei
I libri
Bei libri
Studenti(students)
Gli
Begli
Gli studenti
Begli studenti
Casa(house)
La
Bella
La casa
Bella casa
Amica(female friend)
L’
Bell’
L’amica
Bell’amica
Case(houses)
Le
Belle
Le case
Belle case
Uno
Uno is an indefinite articleused used before singular masculine nouns that begin with a consonant cluster, namely a consonant followed by another consonant.
However, when uno precedes a singular masculine noun that starts with a regular consonant or vowel, it truncates to un. This is why saying un’albero is incorrect: the proper form is un albero.
The truncation rule applies here because albero (tree) is a masculine noun starting with a vowel, and in Italian, the indefinite article un does exist and is used specifically before singular masculine nouns that begin with a vowel.
The use of an apostrophe with un is reserved for feminine nouns only, as in un’amica (a female friend).
Truncated Words That Entered the Lexicon
As I mentioned at the beginning of this article, truncated forms are so prevalent in Italian that some of them became the default way of expressing certain phrases, evolving into fixed expressions within the language.
Over time, these truncations have let to the creation of compound words, that result from merging two words into one unified expression that is now a standard in the Italian lexicon.
For example, buongiorno (good morning) and buonanotte (good night) are formed by combining buon or buona (good) with giorno (day) and notte (night), respectively.
This process of truncation and compounding reflects the dynamic nature of the Italian language, where convenience and fluidity in communication often shape the evolution of words and phrases.
Understanding Truncation
Truncation isn’t arbitrary: it is governed by specific rules related to the phonology of words. Truncation rules are not just about making the language sound prettier, but they are about efficiency and fluidity.
Italian speakers value a rhythmical and harmonious flow in their speech. If you want to learn Italian, understanding these phonetic and grammatical rules is vital.
Learning why Italians say buongiorno instead of buono giorno opens a window into the beauty and complexity of the Italian language.
Discover 9 fascinating facts about Rio de Janeiro’s Sapucaí, the beating heart of the city’s Carnival! It’s where samba schools showcase vibrant talents.
Hey guys! Всем привет! (Vsem privet!) Guess our next topic today. It’s going to be, it’s so fun, it’s so fun, you can’t imagine how fun it is, you’re going to love it. It’s 10 must know math words. Please don’t cancel, don’t shut me down, stay with me, Katya, and let’s check it out in Russian.
1. математика (matematika) “Math”
Я забыла сделать домашнее задание по математике. (Ya zabula sdelat’ damashneye zadaniye pa matematike.) “I forgot to do my Math homework.”
2. плюс (plyus) “plus”
Я + ты. (Я плюс ты) (Ya plyus ty.) “You plus me. I plus you.”
Okay I’m getting confused. Math is too complicated for me.
3. Минус (minus) “minus”
Сегодня температура в Москве минус 20 градусов по Цельсию. (Sevodnya temperatura v Maskve minus dvatsat’ gradusaf pa Tsel’siyu.) “Today’s temperature in Moscow is minus 20 degrees (Celsius).”
The sausage minus bread, the hotdog.
4. делить (delit’) “divide”
Давай разделим шоколадку на 17 кусочков. (Davay razdelim shakalatku na semnatsat’ kusochkaf.) “Let’s divide this chocolate into 17 pieces.”
Ты не поверишь, 70% скидка в этом магазине! (Ty ne paverish, semdesyat pratsentaf skitka v etam magazine!) “Oh my God, it’s 70% discount right now in that shop!”
7. точка (tochka) “point”
В этом йогурте 3.5% жирности. (V etam yogurte tri-tochka-pyat’ pratsentaf zhyrnasti.) “This yogurt is 3.5% of fat.”
8. уравнение (uravneniye) “equation”
Ты решишь для меня это уравнение? (Ty reshysh dlya menya eta uravneniye?) “Could you do this equation for me?”
9. вычислять (vychislyat’) “calculate”
Я пыталась вычислить, сколько калорий я сегодня съела. (Ya pytalas’ vychislit’, skol’ka kaloriy ya sevodnya s’yela.) “I tried to calculate how many calories I ate today.”
10. нечётный (nechotnyy) “odd”
Говорят, что нечётные числа приносят удачу. (Gavaryat, shto nechotnyye chisla prinosyat udachu.) “They say that odd numbers bring luck.”
Oh my god, oh my god, you got through the whole video of 10 Must-Know Math Words. You’re great! Пока-пока! (Paka-paka!)
What are Idioms Idioms or idiomatic expressions are phrases that have a figurative meaning that is conventionally understood by the speakers of that language. This meaning is different from the literal meaning of the idiom’s individual elements. For me, idioms are one of the most captivating elements of any language. These expressions capture cultural values, historical […]
If you want to learn all about Carnival in Brazil, search no more. In this blog post, we talk about the history of Carnival, the samba schools, and the best cities to visit during the Carnival season in Brazil. Moreover, we also teach you some Carnival vocabulary so you are prepared to celebrate in Brazil.
History of Carnival in Brazil
The origin of Carnival has to do with Christianity and its roots in the Middle Ages. Back then, people would wear masks and disguises to celebrate the time before Lent. Even today, Carnival still has a certain connection with Christianity, as the official date for this celebration changes every year according to the Christian calendar. We celebrate Carnival 40 days after Palm Sunday every year. That means Carnival usually falls by the end of February or the beginning of March.
During colonial times, the Portuguese brought Carnival festivities to Brazil, especially Rio de Janeiro. With time, rich people were organizing masquerade balls in the country, making Carnival a popular season. Also around that time, people started to parade on the streets, wearing their masks and costumes. However, samba was not yet a thing.
The music people would play the most during Carnival season was marchinha, a genre of music that would serve as a comic satire of military marches. Nonetheless, by the end of the 19th century, samba started to grow among the slums of Rio de Janeiro and the general population. With time, it became the most popular genre of Carnival music.
Not long after that, around the ’20s, the first samba schools were established in Rio de Janeiro.
Meanwhile, in 1950 in Bahia, Carnival was growing differently than in Rio. With the invention of the trio elétrico, Carnival began to revolve around axé music, not samba. Trio elétrico is an adapted sound truck often used for street parties and large musical events.
Samba Schools
Differently from what it might seem, the samba school has nothing to do with formal educational instruction. Samba schools are associations founded by civilians to praise samba and celebrate Carnival. They have a solid community basis and a strong bond with local neighborhoods or favelas.
Around the ’30s, samba schools started to compete against each other, organizing the first parades.
Nowadays, there are over 70 samba schools in Rio de Janeiro. Because of that, there are different leagues in the competition for the best school of the year. The Special League (Grupo Especial) is divided into two groups that parade on the Sunday and Monday of the Carnival season. They compete to crown the winner of the samba school parade every year. The parade lasts about one house and has to follow several rules. The Access League (Grupo de Acesso) parades on the Friday and Saturday before the Special League and competes to be promoted to the main league the following year.
To sum it up, the samba school’s competition works just like a football state championship.
The samba school’s competition is such a big deal nowadays, that they take over a year to prepare for their parades. That includes choosing a theme, doing research, creating floats and costumes, writing original songs and deciding which one to use, and more. Thousands of people are involved in the making of each samba school’s parade, such as designers, painters, seamstresses, woodworkers, musicians, choreographers, and much more.
Fun Fact: Caminhos has been present at Sapucaí for 4 years. In partnership with the samba school, Arranco do Engenho de Dentro. We have taken our students on immersive journeys, allowing them to fully embrace the vibrant spirit of Brazilian culture during Carnival.
Parades
As stated above, the samba schools need to follow certain rules for their parades. Each Carnival organization decides on these rules. In Rio de Janeiro, for example, the parade has a maximum time of 70 minutes, with a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 6 Carnival floats.
The parade is divided into wings. No special wing is required, but some of them are traditional in every parade. For example, Ala das Baianas, in which ladies dress in clothes reminiscent of the early twentieth century. Also popular is Velha Guarda, a wing of only elderly people who once had honorable roles in the samba school, such as dancers, musicians, and directors.
Each parade is judged and scored on:
Allegorical floats and props (Alegorias e adereços): The Carnival floats.
Drumming Section (Bateria): The Carnival orchestra of each school.
Front Commission (Comissão de Frente): The first group of participants in a parade. They dance to a well-rehearsed choreography to introduce the theme the samba school is presenting.
Plot-theme (Enredo): The theme each school is presenting.
Progression (Evolução): The pace and speed of the parade must be in sync with the music.
Costumes (Fantasias): The design and ideas for the clothes.
Harmony (Harmonia): Everyone at the parade must be singing and dancing.
Mestre-Sala and Porta-Bandeira: A couple with a special costume that dances while paying tribute to the samba school’s flag. Each school can have more than one couple honoring the flag, but only the main couple is judged.
Samba song (Samba-enredo): The original melody and lyrics composed for the parade.
Sambadrome
The sambadrome is the place where samba schools parade during Carnaval in Brazil. There are spectator viewing areas around the avenue and VIP suites that offer open bars and special attractions.
Famous samba schools
In Rio de Janeiro, some of the most popular and traditional samba schools are:
Portela – founded in 1923 – 22 titles
Mangueira – founded in 1928 – 20 titles
Beija-Flor – founded in 1948 – 14 titles
Salgueiro – founded in 1953 – 9 titles
Imperatriz Leopoldinense – founded in 1959 – 8 titles
Mocidade – founded in 1955 – 6 titles
Unidos da Tijuca – founded in 1931 – 4 titles
Unidos de Vila Isabel – founded in 1946 – 3 titles
Blocos de rua, also called bloquinhos or carnaval de rua are the street parades organized all around the city during Carnival season. Even though they are huge in Rio de Janeiro, blocos de rua are organized all over different cities in Brazil, such as São Paulo, Recife, Ouro Preto, and Florianópolis.
Street bands followed by an adapted sound truck (trio elétrico) play lively, fast-paced, and energetic music. Even though many bands play samba, marchinha is the most popular music genre in blocos de rua.
For example, there is a famous Carnival group in Brazil called Sargento Pimenta (Sergeant Pepper) that only plays Beatles songs. However, they use the marchinha beat while doing so.
Watch the Sargento Pimenta band playing All My Loving Carnival-style:
The most important thing about Carnival is costumes.
Since the beginning of Carnival celebrations in Brazil, masks were always part of the attire. By 1870 people were already using costumes to make their Carnival more fun. Yes, that was way before samba was even invented!
So, you need to prepare for Carnival — one different costume a day. Be creative, use lots of glitters and colorful props. Do that and you are ready for Carnival!
Where to Enjoy Carnival in Brazil?
Rio de Janeiro
In Rio de Janeiro you do not need to choose between watching the samba schools’ parade or enjoying the street Carnival because we have it all. You can join the blocos during the day and watch the parades in the evening. Rinse and repeat for four days straight!!! There are over 500 ‘blocos de rua’ in Rio and you will have the time of your life.
Salvador
If you want to try something different from samba, Salvador has the best axé music festivities during Carnival. Some Brazilians say everyone must spend at least one Carnival season in Salvador.
Recife and Olinda
One of the most traditional ways to celebrate Carnival is going to Recife and Olinda, sister cities in Pernambuco. The street Carnival is huge there, and you can try Frevo — the local music genre and dance. Guinness Book of World Records registered Galo da Madrugada, a bloco de rua in Recife, as the biggest carnival parade in the world. Over 2,500,000 people followed their parade in 2013.
Ouro Preto is a small historical city in the state of Minas Gerais. The Carnival there is famous among young partygoers, especially college students. That is because Ouro Preto is also a university town. The street Carnival is great and the college dorms and fraternity houses also throw awesome parties.
Carnival Vocabulary
How About Carnival in 2025?
In 2025, Carnival is set to return with renewed energy and vibrancy after the unprecedented challenges of recent years. Thanks to robust vaccination campaigns and improved public health protocols across Brazil, all traditional Carnival events are back on track. The mayor of Rio de Janeiro has confirmed that the street Carnival will proceed as scheduled, welcoming millions of revelers to enjoy the festivities safely. Additionally, the samba schools’ parade at the Sambadrome will dazzle audiences in its customary time slot, showcasing the rich cultural heritage and passion for Brazilian Carnival. Get ready for a celebration that truly reflects the resilient and joyful spirit of Rio de Janeiro!
Experience the thrill of Rio de Janeiro’s Carnival at Sapucaí like never before with Caminhos and the samba school Arranco do Engenho de Dentro! Immerse yourself in the pulsating rhythms of samba, make unforgettable memories, and celebrate Carnival at its very heart. Be part of it all!
Caminhos Language Centre is the largest and most exciting Portuguese school in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. We have an excellent infrastructure, over 15 experienced Brazilian teachers, and a friendly multilingual support staff. We are the only school in Brazil able to offerPortuguese group courses throughout the year on10 different levels. Moreover, our school also offers more than just Portuguese lessons for foreigners, we offer you the complete Rio de Janeiro experience. Every day we organize100% free and fun activities for you to socialize and practice your Portuguese. We can also help you with astudent visa for Brazil andaccommodation in Rio de Janeiro. Follow us onInstagram for some Portuguese tips and news.
Welcome to the 2000 Core Dutch Words and Phrases video series!
Each lesson will help you learn new words, practice, and review what you’ve learned.
Ok! Let’s get started! First is…
WORD 1
(NORMAL SPEED)
gerst
(NORMAL SPEED)
“barley”
(NORMAL SPEED)
gerst
(SLOW)
gerst
(NORMAL SPEED)
“barley”
(NORMAL SPEED)
Gerst wordt voor van alles gebruikt, van gezonde voeding tot bier en whisky.
(NORMAL SPEED)
“Barley is used for everything from health food to beer and whiskey.”
(SLOW)
Gerst wordt voor van alles gebruikt, van gezonde voeding tot bier en whisky.
WORD 2
(NORMAL SPEED)
vlees
(NORMAL SPEED)
“meat”
(NORMAL SPEED)
vlees
(SLOW)
vlees
(NORMAL SPEED)
“meat”
(NORMAL SPEED)
vlees fijnhakken
(NORMAL SPEED)
“chopping meat”
(SLOW)
vlees fijnhakken
WORD 3
(NORMAL SPEED)
zoetigheid
(NORMAL SPEED)
“sweets”
(NORMAL SPEED)
zoetigheid
(SLOW)
zoetigheid
(NORMAL SPEED)
“sweets”
(NORMAL SPEED)
Ik houd van zoetigheid, vooral chocolade.
(NORMAL SPEED)
“I like sweets, chocolate in particular.”
(SLOW)
Ik houd van zoetigheid, vooral chocolade.
WORD 4
(NORMAL SPEED)
snoep
(NORMAL SPEED)
“candy”
(NORMAL SPEED)
snoep
(SLOW)
snoep
(NORMAL SPEED)
“candy”
(NORMAL SPEED)
Op de verjaardag van mijn dochter hebben we een piñata gevuld met snoep.
(NORMAL SPEED)
“We are having a piñata filled with candy at my daughter’s birthday party.”
(SLOW)
Op de verjaardag van mijn dochter hebben we een piñata gevuld met snoep.
WORD 5
(NORMAL SPEED)
grapefruit
(NORMAL SPEED)
“grapefruit”
(NORMAL SPEED)
grapefruit
(SLOW)
grapefruit
(NORMAL SPEED)
“grapefruit”
(NORMAL SPEED)
Mijn moeder at altijd een halve grapefruit bij het ontbijt.
(NORMAL SPEED)
“My mother always ate half of a grapefruit at breakfast.”
(SLOW)
Mijn moeder at altijd een halve grapefruit bij het ontbijt.
WORD 6
(NORMAL SPEED)
veenbes
(NORMAL SPEED)
“cranberry”
(NORMAL SPEED)
veenbes
(SLOW)
veenbes
(NORMAL SPEED)
“cranberry”
(NORMAL SPEED)
gedroogde veenbes
(NORMAL SPEED)
“dried cranberry”
(SLOW)
gedroogde veenbes
WORD 7
(NORMAL SPEED)
gember
(NORMAL SPEED)
“ginger”
(NORMAL SPEED)
gember
(SLOW)
gember
(NORMAL SPEED)
“ginger”
(NORMAL SPEED)
De specerij gember wordt gebruikt bij het koken en als medicijn.
(NORMAL SPEED)
“The spice ginger is used for cooking and medicine.”
(SLOW)
De specerij gember wordt gebruikt bij het koken en als medicijn.
WORD 8
(NORMAL SPEED)
olijfolie
(NORMAL SPEED)
“olive oil”
(NORMAL SPEED)
olijfolie
(SLOW)
olijfolie
(NORMAL SPEED)
“olive oil”
(NORMAL SPEED)
olijfolie in een pot
(NORMAL SPEED)
“olive oil in a jar”
(SLOW)
olijfolie in een pot
WORD 9
(NORMAL SPEED)
kruid
(NORMAL SPEED)
“spice”
(NORMAL SPEED)
kruid
(SLOW)
kruid
(NORMAL SPEED)
“spice”
(NORMAL SPEED)
Kruiden en smaakmakers staan in gangpad zes.
(NORMAL SPEED)
“Spices and seasonings are on aisle six.”
(SLOW)
Kruiden en smaakmakers staan in gangpad zes.
WORD 10
(NORMAL SPEED)
saus
(NORMAL SPEED)
“sauce”
(NORMAL SPEED)
saus
(SLOW)
saus
(NORMAL SPEED)
“sauce”
(NORMAL SPEED)
Waar is de saus?
(NORMAL SPEED)
“Where is the sauce?”
(SLOW)
Waar is de saus?
PRACTICE/REVIEW
Let’s review. Respond to the prompts by speaking aloud. First, you will hear a word or phrase in English. Respond in Dutch, then repeat after me, focusing on pronunciation.
Ready?
(Do you remember how to say “barley?” Review 1)
(3)
(2)
(1)
gerst
(1)
gerst
(And how to say “meat?” Review 2)
(3)
(2)
(1)
vlees
(1)
vlees
(What about “sweets?” Review 3)
(3)
(2)
(1)
zoetigheid
(1)
zoetigheid
(Do you remember how to say “candy?” Review 4)
(3)
(2)
(1)
snoep
(1)
snoep
(Let’s try “grapefruit!” Review 5)
(3)
(2)
(1)
grapefruit
(1)
grapefruit
(What about “cranberry?” Review 6)
(3)
(2)
(1)
veenbes
(1)
veenbes
(Now, let’s see if you remember how to say “ginger!” Review 7)
(3)
(2)
(1)
gember
(1)
gember
(Another one! What about “olive oil?” Review 8)
(3)
(2)
(1)
olijfolie
(1)
olijfolie
(Do you remember how to say “spice?” Review 9)
(3)
(2)
(1)
kruid
(1)
kruid
(And finally, do you remember how to say “sauce?” Review 10)
Learning a new language is fun, but what I find the funniest is when learners use a wrong word in a context because it resembles another word in their native language. It happened to me as well, several times! And the best way to overcome this issue is to laugh about it.
These words are so-called false friends and they can easily lead to misunderstandings. One such example in Italian is the word suggestivo. Let’s dive into its true meaning, usage, and other common false friends in Italian that learners should be aware of.
Understanding “Suggestivo”
What Does “Suggestivo” Really Mean?
The Italian suggestivo translates to “evocative”, “inspiring”, or “pleasing in a marvelous way”. It is used to describe something that creates a strong emotional response, often associated with beauty or charm.
It is not the same as the English word “suggestive”, which implies something with sexual undertones. If you want to convey the sexual connotation of the English “suggestive”, you can use the Italian term provocante in Italian.
How to use “Suggestivo” in Italian
Suggestivo is frequently used to describe scenic locations, artworks, or experiences that are emotionally striking or particularly beautiful.
I like using this word a lot, especially when referring to nature. As a sunset lover, I find suggestivo the perfect term to describe the colors of the sky at the end of a day.
Questo tramonto è suggestivo.
This sunset is evocative.
As with many other aspects of language learning, understanding the subtle differences in word usage is essential. It helps you avoid embarrassing mistakes and allows for more precise and culturally appropriate communication.
Appreciate the Nuances of Italian
The word suggestivo is a reminder of how learning Italian requires more than just memorizing vocabulary: it’s about understanding context,culture, and subtle meanings.
Words like this show how language can shape and reflect different ways of experiencing the world. It is a concrete example that highlight that languages do affect our behaviors and perspectives!
Embracing these nuances and gain a richer, more authentic appreciation of the Italian language.
