Do you know what an Italian proverb is? A proverb is a simple, short sentence of wide diffusion and ancient popular tradition that expresses a truth based on common sense or daily life experience. Italian language has plenty of these popular expressions that make our everyday talk more lively and colourful and express our folklore. There are many proverbs and sayings that draw on Italian folk tradition. Today you will learn some of the funniest Italian proverbs that you have surely heard from some of your Italian friend.

Three spring proverbs

“One swallow doesn’t make a spring/summer” is a popular motto introduced by Aristotle in his book “Ethical Nicomachea“of the 4th century B.C. In Latin language the proverb was: «Una hirundo non facit ver». It means that one spark of hope does not mean all is well, one sighting or instance of an event does not necessarily indicate a trend. So seeing a lonely swallow (birds that usually migrate in flocks) it doesn’t mean that the spring has arrived.

“Crazy March, look at the sun and take an umbrella” underlines the variability of the meteorological weather of this particular period of the year. March, in fact, has both winter and spring characteristics: the weather begins to be warm, but it’s often still cold and gloomy. So when you go out, don’t forget to take an umbrella even if the sun is burning!

The third proverb we propose is “If it’s meant to be, it will be“. Actually, this motto is composed of two senteces: “If it’s meant to be,it will be. If it’s not meant to be, it won’t be“. But usually it’s quoted only the first part. This proverb is used to push someone to carry on with a project or a job. If fate or good luck will align, the project will have a happy ending.  Italian people usually quote this proverb in a loving context.

And now let’s have some fun using the Italian proverbs in the right context!