In this class we will see not one, not two but three expressions that those who study Italian should know: MENO MALE – NIENTE MALE – NON C’È MALE… What’s their meaning? Learn it with this video-lesson!
What does meno male, niente male and non c’è male mean?
MENO MALE means luckily, fortunately and can be used:
1. alone, as an exclamation
2. followed by CHE + verbo
Examples:
Ha smesso di piovere, meno male! = Meno male che ha smesso di piovere! (It stopped raining, thank god! = Luckily, it stopped raining)
Il capo non si è accorto che sono arrivato in ritardo, meno male! = Meno male che il capo non si è accorto che sono arrivato in ritardo! (The boss didn’t notice I came late, thank goodness = Fortunately, the boss didn’t notice I came late)
NIENTE MALE means QUITE INTERESTING, OF A RATHER HIGH LEVEL, NICE
It indicates an appreciation for something or someone. This expression is used alone as an exclamation or as an adjective.
Examples:
– Che te ne pare del mio taglio di capelli? – Niente male! Mica hai cambiato barbiere? (What do you think about my haircut? – Not bad! Have you changed your barber, by chance?)
Niente male quella ragazza con i capelli rossi laggiù! (The red-haired girl over there is pretty nice!)
Do you want to know what “mica” means? Watch our lesson-lesson on MICA!
You are not sure what “laggiù” means? We have a lesson on the Italian adverbs of place that can help you!
NON C’È MALE is used to indicate a positive situation we can’t complain about, but not so exciting
Example:
– Come va? – Non c’è male! (How are you doing? – Not too bad!) (It’s good, but it could be better)
Alright! Now, if you want to learn new idioms, you can have a look at all our lessons on Italian idioms!
If you prefer grammar, we have the best Italian grammar course in the world!
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Caricamento quiz in corso…
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