123 Italian Cognates That Make It Simple To Grasp Italian
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Have you ever ever come throughout an Italian phrase and thought, “It appears to be like similar to English!”? That’s the magic of cognates, and Italian has loads of them for native English audio system!
Italian cognates are phrases that resemble English a lot that they’re straightforward to know even with out context. They’re an incredible shortcut to increasing your vocabulary and boosting your confidence as you be taught Italian. So, let’s discover their patterns and how one can spot false cognates alongside the way in which.
What’s a cognate?
Cognates are phrases with related or equivalent spelling and which means in two languages. They exist as a result of the languages both share a standard origin or have influenced one another over time, borrowing and adapting phrases as they advanced.
If you begin noticing cognates, it’s like hitting the jackpot: You possibly can perceive straightforward Italian phrases with out being fluent! For instance, take a look at how straightforward it’s to know this sentence:
- La famiglia è importante. = Household is essential.
The phrases famiglia (household) and importante (essential) are Italian cognates with the identical roots as their English counterparts. Different cognates might need small spelling adjustments in the course of the phrase, however they’re nonetheless very related:
- Abbiamo scoperto un ristorante buonissimo a Roma. = We found an excellent restaurant in Rome.
Watch out that you just don’t confuse cognates with loanwords. Loanwords are phrases taken immediately from one language and adopted into one other with out vital adjustments. The Italian language borrowed many phrases from English, comparable to bar, resort, and pc. So did English, when it absorbed phrases from Italian like soprano, maestro, and pizza.
Virtually-perfect Italian cognates
Since Italian phrases not often finish with a consonant, Italian cognates are by no means equivalent to their English counterparts. However don’t fear! Most are tremendous straightforward to acknowledge as a result of they merely have an additional vowel on the finish. We’ve included a chart of essentially the most recognizable Italian cognates earlier than explaining a number of notable ones.
| Italian | English |
| animale | animal |
| capitale | capital |
| classico | traditional |
| differente | completely different |
| finale | closing |
| generale | normal |
| globale | world |
| importante | essential |
| intelligente | clever |
| locale | native |
| moderno | fashionable |
| musica | music |
| naturale | pure |
| originale | authentic |
| passione | ardour |
| persona | individual |
| problema | drawback |
| speciale | particular |
| universale | common |
| visione | imaginative and prescient |
Arte (artwork)
From Latin: ars, artis
Arte (artwork) is likely one of the first cognates in Italian you may be taught. It refers to portray, sculpture, music, and different types of artistic expression.
- Sono appassionato/a d’arte. = I’m enthusiastic about artwork.
- L’arte italiana è famosa in tutto il mondo. = Italian artwork is legendary worldwide.
Nonetheless, do not forget that in Italian, arte can also be used extra broadly to explain any skillful apply, often adopted by Italian prepositions:
- l’arte della cucina = the artwork of cooking
- l’arte del saper vivere = the artwork of understanding how one can stay effectively
Colore (coloration)
From Latin: coloration, coloris
Each the phrase colore (coloration) and lots of colours in Italian have names which are cognates themselves, like violetto (violet) and blu (blue). Since colours are one of many first vocabulary phrases you’ll be taught in Italian, you’ll really feel extra assured in regards to the language, due to the cognates!
Moreover, if you know the way to make use of the phrase colore in figurative expressions, your Italian will sound instantly extra subtle.
- dare colore a una storia = so as to add coloration to a narrative (which means to make it extra vivid or participating)
- (qualcosa) senza colore = (one thing) with out coloration (which means boring, lifeless)
Regione (area)
From Latin: regio, regionis
Like in English, una regione (a area) can point out a particular a part of a rustic or, in some circumstances, part of the physique.
Regione can also be the generic title to point every of the twenty geographical areas that divide Italy. Italian areas have political autonomy in some issues, so you may also discuss with la Regione because the governing physique working in every space.
- La Toscana è una regione bellissima. = Tuscany is a fantastic area.
- Quello è il palazzo della Regione. = That’s the headquarters of the regional authorities.
Reale (actual)
From Latin: regalis (Latin)/realis (Medieval Latin from res, which means “factor”)
This phrase wants further consideration as a result of it has two meanings in Italian. From Medieval Latin, Italians obtained the phrase reale, which implies “actual,” like in English:
- Questa è una situazione reale. = This can be a actual state of affairs.
Nonetheless, reale may imply “royal” in Italian.
- La famiglia reale vive a Buckingham Palace. = The royal household lives at Buckingham Palace.
It’s an ideal instance of how Romance languages influenced one another. The Latin phrase regalis (which means “of the king”) advanced into completely different varieties throughout languages:
- regale in Italian
- “regal” in English
- reial in Previous French
Previous French then influenced Italian, creating the English phrase “royal” and the choice which means of the Italian reale.
Italian cognates with completely different endings
A examine on Italian cognates from the College of Wisconsin-Madison recognized 18 recognizable patterns in phrase endings. You possibly can see essentially the most related within the chart included beneath. Having a normal concept of them might help you acknowledge English to Italian cognates extra simply.
You’ll discover that some teams can correspond to particular elements of speech in Italian, which makes it a sensible method to turn out to be extra acquainted even with them.
Cognates ending with -bile
Italian phrases ending in -bile often correspond to English phrases ending in “-ible” or “ready.” This is a vital class as a result of it contains many Italian adjectives you’ll use on a regular basis.
| Italian | English |
| accettabile | acceptable |
| accessibile | accessible |
| adorabile | lovely |
| credibile | credible |
| curabile | curable |
| flessibile | versatile |
| impossibile | not possible |
| incredibile | unbelievable |
| inevitabile | inevitable |
| memorabile | memorable |
| possibile | attainable |
| probabile | possible |
| visibile | seen |
Cognates ending with –zione
Different essential cognates Italian has are all of the phrases ending in -zione, similar to “-tion” in English.
Phrases ending in -zione are very helpful in Italian as a result of they’re nomi d’azione (names that point out an motion). In actual fact, most of them are a number of the most frequent verbs in Italian. Right here’s how these cognates are shaped:
- the verb ambire (to aspire) + -zione = the noun ambizione (ambition)
| Italian | English |
| ambizione | ambition |
| attenzione | consideration |
| celebrazione | celebration |
| composizione | composition |
| conversazione | dialog |
| educazione | schooling |
| emozione | emotion |
| informazione | data |
| intenzione | intention |
| invenzione | invention |
| organizzazione | group |
| presentazione | presentation |
| tradizione | custom |
This group of cognates may also have some exceptions simply earlier than the suffix.
- doubling the letter “z” in Italian
- organizzazione = organization
- changing with the letter “p” or “c” in English
- descrizione = description
- collezione = collection
Cognates ending with -sione
Italian nouns ending in -sione finish with “-sion“ in English. They behave equally to the -zione ending cognates.
| Italian | English |
| conclusione | conclusion |
| confusione | confusion |
| decisione | resolution |
| delusione | delusion |
| dimensione | dimension |
| discussione | dialogue |
| diversione | diversion |
| illusione | phantasm |
| impressione | impression |
| inclusione | inclusion |
| professione | occupation |
| versione | model |
Cognates ending with -mente
Virtually all Italian adverbs derived from descriptive adjectives have the suffix -mente. This can be a attribute function of many Romance languages and has its corresponding suffix in English, “-ly.”
| Italian | English |
| apparentemente | apparently |
| automaticamente | robotically |
| correttamente | accurately |
| costantemente | continually |
| direttamente | immediately |
| finalmente | lastly |
| generalmente | usually |
| inizialmente | initially |
| logicamente | logically |
| naturalmente | naturally |
| originariamente | initially |
| probabilmente | in all probability |
| rapidamente | quickly |
| recentemente | not too long ago |
| totalmente | completely |
Cognates ending with -tà
In Italian, many nouns finish in -tà, similar to “-ty” in English. Keep watch over this group as a result of it contains many frequent Italian nouns you want in lots of conversations together with your coworkers or your pals.
| Italian | English |
| abilità | capacity |
| attività | exercise |
| autorità | authority |
| città | metropolis |
| comunità | group |
| dignità | dignity |
| identità | id |
| libertà | liberty |
| opportunità | alternative |
| qualità | high quality |
| realtà | actuality |
| responsabilità | duty |
| società | society |
| vanità | self-importance |
Italian cognates that don’t observe any patterns
Each rule has its exceptions and so do cognate patterns. 1000’s of Italian phrases don’t match any of those patterns. Some could be described as “imperfect” cognates, however they’re nonetheless very straightforward to know.
| Italian | English |
| appetito | urge for food |
| articolo | article |
| atmosfera | environment |
| caffè | espresso |
| coccodrillo | crocodile |
| commedia | comedy |
| famoso | well-known |
| genuino | real |
| giustizia | justice |
| medicina | medication |
| ombrello | umbrella |
| pinguino | penguin |
| sigaretta | cigarette |
| virtù | advantage |
Enjoyable reality: Italian cognates don’t at all times have Latin origins! For instance, the phrase caffè (espresso) comes from the Turkish phrase kahve, which itself originates from the Arabic phrase qahwa. The drink, nevertheless, was launched to the west by the Venetians within the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Because of them, Italian espresso turned extraordinarily fashionable in every single place!
Italian verbs as cognates
Verbs will also be Italian cognates! Specifically, Italian verbs of their infinitive type are straightforward to acknowledge as a result of they’re virtually equivalent to their English counterparts. A few of them solely change the suffix -are to the English “-ate” ending within the infinitive type.
- participare = to participate
Different verbs from the primary, second (infinite ending in -ere), or third conjugation (ending in -ire) share the identical root, so they’re very straightforward to identify, even with completely different endings.
| Italian | English |
| accettare | to just accept |
| arrestare | to arrest |
| apparire | to look |
| connettere | to attach |
| consultare | to seek the advice of |
| contemplare | to ponder |
| contribuire | to contribute |
| definire | to outline |
| determinare | to find out |
| evolvere | to evolve |
| importare | to import |
| informare | to tell |
| irritare | to annoy |
| motivare | to inspire |
| organizzare | to prepare |
| partecipare | to take part |
| realizzare | to appreciate |
| servire | to serve |
What are the Italian false cognates?
False cognates, or false mates, are the tough a part of the similarities between English and Italian. Italian false mates seem like cognates as a result of their spellings are much like English however have completely different meanings. When used within the unsuitable context, you might say one thing embarrassing or probably offensive. One of the best ways to keep away from errors is to memorize the commonest false mates and learn to use them accurately.
| False Cognate | English That means | Possible Phrase Alternative | English That means |
| abusivo | unlawful | violento (bodily), offensivo (verbally) | abusive |
| allegato | connected/attachment | accusa | allegation |
| attuale | present | reale/effettivo | precise |
| calamita | magnet | calamità | calamity |
| caldo | scorching | freddo (temperature), raffreddore (illness) | chilly |
| cognato/a | brother-in-law/sister-in-law | parola affine | cognate |
| confetto | comfit | coriandoli | confetti |
| educato | well-mannered | istruito/colto | educated |
| fabbrica | manufacturing unit | tessuto | material |
| libreria | bookstore | biblioteca | library |
| parenti | relations | genitori | dad and mom |
| pretendere | demand/count on | fingere | to faux |
| rumore | noise | pettegolezzo | rumor |
| terrificante | terrifying | magnifico | terrific |
Why are there so many English-Italian cognates?
Italian and English are very completely different languages. Nonetheless, they arrive from the identical Indo-European language household however belong to 2 distinct branches. English is a Germanic language, like German and Dutch, whereas Italian belongs to the Romance languages that advanced from Latin, comparable to Spanish, French, and Portuguese.
Nonetheless, practically 60% of the English vocabulary has Latin origins! That’s why there are such a lot of Italian cognates.
So, how did it occur? It’s all due to the Previous French spoken by the Normans. After they conquered England in 1066, they launched their language to the island. Because of this, 1000’s of Latin-based phrases entered English, making Italian one of many best languages to be taught for English audio system.
Nonetheless, counting on cognates and loanwords isn’t sufficient to talk Italian. Be certain to apply every time you may, and take each alternative to immerse your self within the language. You are able to do issues like:
- speak to your self in Italian
- watch Italian TV and take heed to Italian music
- order meals in Italian at your favourite restaurant
- label your family home equipment and items with their Italian title
Additionally, select a studying technique like Rosetta Stone’s Dynamic Immersion, which might information you thru essentially the most difficult elements of grammar and assist your progress with an entire cultural immersion. You’ll begin talking Italian from day one.
