3 definitions by an_italian2
I'm a massive nerd: I like playing D&D, reading ancient Greek poetry, I love theoretical physics, and I'm a big fan of the Lord of the Rings franchise. You know, cause D&D and LOTR movies are in the same set as literature and science...
by an_italian2 November 20, 2021
It's a misspelling of the Italian interjection "mamma mia!", which literally means "oh my mother!".
It is used by italians in quite tha same way as English use the expression "oh my God!", except ...Italians do NOT say "mamma mia!" when they're making love with their girlfriend!
It is used by italians in quite tha same way as English use the expression "oh my God!", except ...Italians do NOT say "mamma mia!" when they're making love with their girlfriend!
"Hai visto quel film horror?" "Mamma mia!! Era così spaventoso!" (= "Have you seen that horror movie?" "Oh my God!! It was so frightening!")
There's a musical called "mamamia": is it about Italian mafia?
There's a musical called "mamamia": is it about Italian mafia?
by an_italian2 August 31, 2011
It's an Italian adjective which is used to compliment or congratulate someone for something he (For the "she" part, see 2. below) has done or achieved or just said.
There are some minor differences in how it's used by native Italian speakers compared to how it's used in the US and other English speaking countries, though.
1. the word "bravo" in the US is mainly used in the context of artistic performances and public exhibitions (or, with a touch of irony, in informal speech), while in Italian it can be used more generally to denote someone's ability in some area or specific well-doing (see examples below).
2. in the US "bravo" is essentially used as it were an interjection and it's rarely conjugated, while in Italian it is an adjective and as such it must be conjugated:
bravo ---> male, singular
brava ---> female, singular
bravi ---> male, plural
brave ---> female, plural.
Strictly speaking, it's a mistake to say "Bravooo!!" while applauding the performance of a female violinist or of a male rock band: you should say "brava!" in the first case and "bravi!" in the second.
There are some minor differences in how it's used by native Italian speakers compared to how it's used in the US and other English speaking countries, though.
1. the word "bravo" in the US is mainly used in the context of artistic performances and public exhibitions (or, with a touch of irony, in informal speech), while in Italian it can be used more generally to denote someone's ability in some area or specific well-doing (see examples below).
2. in the US "bravo" is essentially used as it were an interjection and it's rarely conjugated, while in Italian it is an adjective and as such it must be conjugated:
bravo ---> male, singular
brava ---> female, singular
bravi ---> male, plural
brave ---> female, plural.
Strictly speaking, it's a mistake to say "Bravooo!!" while applauding the performance of a female violinist or of a male rock band: you should say "brava!" in the first case and "bravi!" in the second.
Mario è bravo in matematica ( = Mario is good in maths)
Angela è brava a suonare il piano ( = Angela is good at playing the piano)
Braviii!!! (applauding the Kronos String Quartet)
Braveeee!!! (applauding the female cheerleaders)
Angela è brava a suonare il piano ( = Angela is good at playing the piano)
Braviii!!! (applauding the Kronos String Quartet)
Braveeee!!! (applauding the female cheerleaders)
by an_italian2 August 31, 2011