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ITALIAN WORD OF THE DAY

Italian expression of the day: ‘Una curiosità’

We were just wondering if you knew what this phrase might be used for?

Italian expression of the day: 'Una curiosità'
Photo: Annie Spratt/Unsplash/Nicolas Raymond

Language learners who like to ask questions (politely) will find the phrase una curiosità useful.

As you might guess, it literally translates as “a curiosity,” and can be used to describe something curious.

Questo libro antico è una vera curiosità.

This antique book is a real curiosity.

But it also turns out to be the perfect phrase to use when asking questions politely – but not too formally.

For example, I noticed a new restaurant had opened in our town and I wondered aloud if it would be open over the weekend.

My Italian husband, who loves nothing more than stopping strangers in the street for a chat, immediately asked a nearby person (who may or may not have had anything to do with the restaurant) the following question:

Una curiosità, il ristorante sarà aperto domani sera?

Out of curiosity, will the restaurant be open tomorrow night?

This phrase has since proven invaluable in all kinds of situations; while shopping, at work, or even when completing paperwork at the town hall – the ultimate test of patience and politeness.

Una curiosità, avete questo vestito anche in nero?

Out of curiosity, do you also have this dress in black?

Un’altra domanda, se mi permette una curiosità.

One more question, if you’ll humour me.

Una curiosità, ho bisogno di completare questa parte del documento?

Could you tell me, do I need to complete this part of the form?

We English speakers probably wouldn’t use the phrase “just out of curiosity” quite so often.

Personally, I’d only ever really say it in English if I wanted to make it very clear that I wasn’t questioning the truth of a statement, or if I was simply being nosy.

But as you can see, in Italian it’s a simple way to make your requests more polite in pretty much any situation.

I also like this variation, which means “tell me something”, “let me ask you a question”, or “humour me”.

Toglimi una curiosità, Davide. Dove hai trovato il libro?

Tell me something, Davide. Where did you find the book?

So while living in Italy may leave you with a head full of questions, at least you’ll be able to ask them politely.

Do you have an Italian word you’d like us to feature? If so, please email us with your suggestion.

Don’t miss any of our Italian words and expressions of the day by downloading our new app (available on Apple and  Android) and then selecting the Italian Word of the Day in your Notification options via the User button.

Member comments

  1. Just want to say that I truly enjoy your Expression of the Day writing. You obviously love words in both English and Italian and use them well. It’s always fun and constructive to read. Thank you.

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ITALIAN WORD OF THE DAY

Italian expression of the day: ‘Cambiare registro’

Here's the Italian phrase you'll need if you're looking for a change.

Italian expression of the day: ‘Cambiare registro’

If you live in Italy or have spent a considerable amount of time in the country, you may have overheard an Italian parent telling their child they needed to cambiare registro right after they threw a tantrum. 

If you work or have worked in Italy, you may also have had one of your superiors tell you that a cambio di registro was needed in the office. 

But what do Italians really mean when they tell someone they need to ‘change register’?

Italians use cambiare registro to tell someone that they need to change their behaviour, manners or way to approach a particular task (including work or school assignments), usually because they’re not particularly happy with the way they’re currently handling things. 

It is generally used with the verb dovere (must/have to), which must be conjugated according to the person who could do with a ‘change of register’. For instance:

Non hai passato gli ultimi tre test. Devi cambiare registro se vuoi tenere la tua paghetta settimanale.  

You failed the past three exams. You need to turn things around if you want to keep your weekly allowance.

La tua performance al lavoro e’ stata insoddisfacente questo trimestre. Devi veramente cambiare registro il prossimo mese.

Your performance at work has been unsatisfactory this quarter. You really need to turn things around next month.

You could also say that a situation you’re unhappy with needs ‘a change of register’, without addressing anyone in particular. 

Ci sono cose ovunque. C’e’ bisogno di un cambio di registro in questa casa.

There’s stuff all over the place. Changes are needed in this house.

As you can see from these examples, there’s no single way to translate the phrase into English, though ‘turning things around’ and ‘changing up’ are popular translations.

And if you’re wondering where the expression comes from, it has nothing to do with Italy’s Registry Office (or Anagrafe), nor with any other part of the country’s public administration. 

Cambiare registro was originally a music-related expression as it referred to the act of changing the tone or range (registro in Italian) of some musical instruments, including pipe organs.

But, as in the case of many other Italian phrases and expressions, its usage was later extended to daily life situations to express a need for major changes.

Do you have a favourite Italian word you’d like us to feature? If so, please email us with your suggestion.

Don’t miss any of our Italian words and expressions of the day by downloading our new app (available on Apple and Android) and then selecting the Italian Word of the Day in your Notification options via the User button.

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