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ITALIAN WORD OF THE DAY

Italian word of the day: ‘Sfogarsi’

Let off some steam with this handy Italian word.

Italian word of the day sfogarsi
Photo: Annie Spratt/Unsplash/Nicolas Raymond

Sometimes you just need to vent, cut loose, or let it all out: in other words, as far as Italian is concerned, you need to sfogarsi.

The verb sfogare literally means to release compressed gas or liquid, but also (more commonly) refers to the unleashing of a pent up emotion or energy.

When used in this sense, it’s a reflexive verb – sfogarsi because the release of emotion is something you do to yourself.

That repressed emotion might be frustration or resentment, if you’re angry at someone or something.

Si è sfogata la sua rabbia contro di lui.
She lashed out at him in anger.

Bene – ora ti sei sfogato?
Good – have you got that out of your system now?

But sfogarsi can also mean to unburden yourself, to open up to someone, to get something off your chest.

Ieri sera si è sfogato con me sulla morte di sua moglie.
Yesterday evening he poured his heart out to me about his wife’s death.

Grazie per avermi fatto sfogare con te su Sara.
Thanks for letting me vent to you about Sara.

Just Let It Out Alexis GIF - Just Let It Out Alexis Alexis Rose GIFs
 

Or it can mean to satisfy an impulse or to let off steam by having fun, letting loose, using up an excess of energy.

Dopo questi mesi di lavoro intenso, ho bisogno di sfogarmi un’ po.
After all these months of hard work, I need to cut loose a little.

– Ma cos’è questo casino?
– Sembra che siano solo dei ragazzi che si sfogano per strada…

– What is this racket?
– I think it’s just some kids letting off steam in the street…

This range of possible uses means sfogarsi con qualcuno can mean any of to lay into someone, to unburden yourself with them, or to cut loose with them; the meaning has to be figured out from context.

That makes sfogarsi more versatile than any of its English counterparts, and a particularly handy word to have up your sleeve.

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

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For members

ITALIAN WORD OF THE DAY

Italian word of the day: ‘Maturità’

This Italian word is a key rite of passage.

Italian word of the day: 'Maturità'

If you tuned into the Italian news this morning, you won’t have been able to escape the many references to maturità.

Literally translating as ‘maturity’, the maturità – or to give it its full title, diploma di maturità – is Italy’s state-administered high school leaving certificate.

Consisting of one oral and two written exams, it’s the Italian equivalent of sitting your A-levels the UK or getting your high school diploma in the US.

A passing grade is 60/100; though the vast majority of students make this score, those who fail will have to re-take the test the following year.

Se non passo la maturità, i miei mi ammazzano.
If I don’t pass my high school exams, my parents are going to kill me.

Non vedo l’ora che gli esami di maturità siano finiti.
I can’t wait for our final exams to be over.

The first exam tests students’ Italian language and critical thinking skills, the second their knowledge of their special subjects, and the third involves presentating and being grilled on what they’ve learned.

While there’s nothing unusual about a state-run high school exam, the enthusiasm with which the process is reported on by national media can seem bizarre to those from outside the country.

News sites breathlessly relate the contents of the exam in real time as the questions are revealed, many via a liveblog.

A La Repubblica liveblog on June 19th, 2024 describes a Pirandello poem that appears in this year’s first written exam.

Pundits are consulted for their take on the questions, social media reactions analysed, and the authors of this year’s selected texts interviewed or profiled.

While this might seem like overkill, the intense focus on the exam reflects the importance placed on the maturità.

Passing the exam is seen as a key rite of passage in Italy, and according to surveys, your score can go on to influence future job opportunities years down the line.

Even decades later, newspapers will rake through the maturità scores of politicians to see what insights can be gleaned about their personalities and leadership styles.

If you’re from a country where your high school grades are forgotten the moment you start university, then, you might feel you’ve escaped lightly.

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

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