English For Italians # 01

1. "Don't be absurd!" may translate to "Non dire sciocchezze!".

True

False

The given statement is true because "Don't be absurd!" is an English phrase that means "Non dire sciocchezze!" in Italian. The translation accurately captures the meaning and tone of the original phrase, making it a correct translation.

Explanation

The given statement is true because "Don't be absurd!" is an English phrase that means "Non dire sciocchezze!" in Italian. The translation accurately captures the meaning and tone of the original phrase, making it a correct translation.

2. "Surely he didn't catch half of what I said, he was absent all the time."

"Absent", in this sentence, means "fisicamente assente".

True

False

"absent", given the context, is "distratto"

Explanation

"absent", given the context, is "distratto"

3. "If you listen to the falsehoods of an abandoned girl..."
- "She is as honest as any woman in England."

"Abandoned" here may be an old-fashioned expression standing for "dissoluta", "licenziosa".

True

False

The statement suggests that if you believe the lies of an abandoned girl, she is just as honest as any woman in England. The term "abandoned" is interpreted as an old-fashioned expression meaning "dissolute" or "licentious". Therefore, the statement implies that despite her circumstances, the abandoned girl can be trusted and is as honest as any other woman in England.

Explanation

The statement suggests that if you believe the lies of an abandoned girl, she is just as honest as any woman in England. The term "abandoned" is interpreted as an old-fashioned expression meaning "dissolute" or "licentious". Therefore, the statement implies that despite her circumstances, the abandoned girl can be trusted and is as honest as any other woman in England.

4. "Able seamen and flight sergeants sometimes go so far as to say 'Damn!' when they are carried away by passion."

"Able" here just means "abile".

True

False

able seaman = marinaio scelto

Explanation

able seaman = marinaio scelto

5. In "Mysery loves company",
"misery" stands for "malevolenza", "falsità"

True

False

misery = sofferenza, infelicità

Explanation

misery = sofferenza, infelicità

6. In the phrase "...a telepath adept in the control of the mind", "adept in" stands for "addetto a".

True

False

adept = abile

Explanation

adept = abile

7. "Accessory before the fact" means "favoreggiatore".

True

False

Accessory before the fact = committente o istigatore del delitto, ma non presente al momento del crimine.
Accessory after the fact = favoreggiatore, colui che riceve, favorisce, aiuta e conforta il delinquente dopo che questo ha compiuto la sua opera.

Explanation

Accessory before the fact = committente o istigatore del delitto, ma non presente al momento del crimine.
Accessory after the fact = favoreggiatore, colui che riceve, favorisce, aiuta e conforta il delinquente dopo che questo ha compiuto la sua opera.

8. "Mosquito-net" means "schiacciamosche".

True

False

mosquito-net = zanzariera

Explanation

mosquito-net = zanzariera

9. Just one more thing...

"To go over to join the majority" is an English idiom that means "morire".

True

False

The given statement is true. "To go over to join the majority" is indeed an English idiom that means "to die". This means that when someone uses this phrase, they are referring to someone's death. It is important to note that idioms are figurative expressions that cannot be understood literally, and this particular idiom is used to convey the idea of someone passing away.

Explanation

The given statement is true. "To go over to join the majority" is indeed an English idiom that means "to die". This means that when someone uses this phrase, they are referring to someone's death. It is important to note that idioms are figurative expressions that cannot be understood literally, and this particular idiom is used to convey the idea of someone passing away.

10. Beware of false friends!

"Macaroons" doesn't mean "maccheroni" in Italian, but "cannelloni".

True

False

macaroons = amaretti

Explanation

macaroons = amaretti