Idiomatic expressions (known as “idioms”) are essential to speak fluently! Unfortunately though, grammar knowledge isn’t enough to use them: you need to learn them by heart! In this lesson we are going to show you some Italian idioms related to water: we are sure that you are going to enjoy it lot!
ITALIAN EXPRESSIONS RELATED TO WATER
Acqua in bocca! [mum’s the word – literal translation: water in mouth]
This expressions is used to tell another person that what we are saying must remain a secret, something that must not be revealed.
it makes after all… we can’t talk when we have water in our mouths, can we?
Let’s see some examples:
⁃ Stiamo organizzando una festa a sorpresa per Massimo, vuoi venire? [We are organizing a surprise party for Massimo, do you want to come?]
⁃ Certo! Dimmi quando e dove! Non vedo l’ora! [Sure! Let me know when and where! I am looking forward to it!]
⁃ Ti faccio sapere più tardi, ma mi raccomando: acqua in bocca! Deve essere una sorpresa! [I’ll let you know later, but please: mum’s the word! It must be a surprise!]
Fare un buco nell’acqua [to fail – literal translation: make a hole in water]
Can you make a whole in water? Of course not!
That’s why we use this idiom to talk about a failure, something we can’t accomplish!
Example:
⁃ Ma poi? Quel viaggio a Parigi? Lo avete fatto? [What then? What about the journey to Paris? Have you made it?]
⁃ Ma va! Non me ne parlare! Prima sembravano tutti interessati e poi nessuno si è deciso a prenotare! [Please… don’t even talk about it! They seemed to be interested but at the end no one booked!]
⁃ Insomma… avete fatto un buco nell’acqua! [So, you guys failed!]
Come bere un bicchiere d’acqua [a piece of cake – literal translation: like drinking a glass of water]
This expression is used to describe something extremely easy to do.
Come to think of it… It isn’t difficult to drink water, is it?
Examples:
⁃ Sto preparando un esame di inglese, ma non sono sicura di riuscire a passarlo… [I am studying for an English exam, but I am not sure I can pass it]
⁃ Ma va… Sei bravissima! Per te sarà come bere un bicchiere d’acqua! [Come on… You are very good! It’s going to be a piece of cake for you!]
Essere come due gocce d’acqua [to be two peas in a pod – literal meaning: to be two drops of water]
Imagine two drops of water… Can you spot any difference? I don’t think so…
That’s why we use this expression to describe two things or two people that are very similar, almost identical.
Esempio di utilizzo:
⁃ Ho visto Maria e sua sorella… Sono gemelle? [I saw Maria and her sister… are they twins?]
⁃ Eh no… Maria è due anni più grande di sua sorella. [No… Maria is two years older than her sister]
⁃ Mamma mia… Sono due gocce d’acqua! [Oh my god… They are like two peas in a pod]
Perdersi in un bicchiere d’acqua [to make a mountain out of a molehill – literal translation: get lost in a glass of water]
It is an idiom usually referring to a person that makes too much of a minor issue.
Well, actually… Get lost in a glass is quite difficult considering its size… V
Examples:
⁃ Mia cugina tedesca che studia l’italiano sta avendo delle difficoltà con il congiuntivo italiano… [My German cousin who studies Italian is having difficulties with the Italian subjunctive]
⁃ Ma no! Dille di non perdersi in un bicchiere d’acqua e di guardare i nostri video sul congiuntivo! Capirà tutto perfettamente! [No! Tell her not to make a mountain out of a molehill and watch our videos on the subjunctive]
Did you enjoy this lesson? We have got many other fantastic grammar lessons!
But if you prefer learning idioms, have a look at all our lessons on the Italian expressions!