Speak better Italian: definitions

How to feel more confident during any conversation

Ciao,

If you know even a little Italian, this simple method will help you feel more confident during any conversation and speak better.

Definitions

My favourite way to replace forgotten words.

When you forget how to say "dishwasher" in Italian, you can say (in Italian): "you know, it's that machine we use to wash dishes!" Or: "the thing we use after we eat and want to have clean dishes."

Do you understand the mechanism?

It's about describing the object in simple words you know (giving a definition, hence the name of the method) instead of giving the equivalent in English.

In many cases, the other person won't even realise you don't remember the word.

The condition for success in using this method is regular practice.

That's why this exercise is a permanent element in our online Italian school AL DENTE teachers' classes.

You can also practice on your own. Just one or two words a day, start by explaining simple words you know well.

Example definitions:

• la casa - è un posto dove abitiamo (the house - it's a place where we live)

• il medico - è una persona che lavora in un ospedale (the doctor - it's a person who works in a hospital)

• la macchina - è una cosa che usiamo per andare al lavoro (the car - it's something we use to go to work)

Let me know what you think about this method!