You may be wondering, does Paolo speak ancient Sanskrit?
Of course not! 😅
I will now reveal how I chose the names for my establishments and other common expressions used by Torinese in everyday language 'nè!'.
Dialects in Italy:
Italy boasts a wide range of languages and dialects, which represent a valuable source of history and culture. Often, the accent or certain typical expressions of a place make it easy to identify a person's origin.
Unfortunately, in the northernmost part of Italy, the use of dialect has largely been lost, due to the strong migration from southern Italy brought about by the economic boom of the 1950s and 1960s.
The Turin dialect can still be heard spoken by older people or in the valleys of the outskirts.
The choice of names
Stagabin
As a child, I used to spend my summer vacations in a mountain hamlet where every time an elderly person parted ways with a friend, they would always conclude with the phrase "grasie e cà staga bin!"
"CÃ staga bin" actually means "may you stay well", and that's precisely what I wish for my guests!
Citmabel
Memories also greatly influenced the choice of the name to give to the loft here.
It was the 80s, and the cars made by Fiat, Lancia, and Alfa Romeo were doing great. One day, my grandfather left the house telling my grandmother, "I'm going to get us a present!" He left and came back several hours later with a fantastic, flaming red Y10, having traded in their old Fiat 127.
My grandmother got out of the car, and when my grandfather asked, "So, do you like it?" she replied, "Si, si, cit ma bela," meaning "Yes, yes, small but beautiful!"
Small but beautiful, the perfect description for the elegant loft located in Piazza Statuto
Autaebela
By now you will have mastered the dialect and so there is no need to add too much speongation.
The attic that is located in a tall building in the Parella area could only take the name Auta e bela, meaning tall and beautiful.
Unique idioms to make you a native Torinese:
Neh?
Let's start with the most famous and used one.
"Neh" is an interlayer used at the end of a sentence, especially in oriented questions. In Italian, it has a similar function to "true" and indicates that the previous statement is considered safe by the speaker.It is used to create a connection with the interlocutor and strengthen mutual understanding. For example, one might say "Did you see how beautiful Turin is, neh?" to engage the interlocutor in conversation.
Cerea!
"Cerea" is the Piedmontese equivalent of "goodby" and is often used as a parting greeting in the region. This term has ancient roots and goes back to the Latin word "sera," meaning "evening." In Piedmontese culture, it is considered a formal and respectful greeting, reflecting the traditional and hospitable character of the region.
Già (Already)
To emphasize the whimsy of the language, Torinese often use the adverb "già " at the end of sentences. For example, "Where is the entrance to the station already?" or "What was the name of the host already?" This term can be used to restate a question already asked or to recall something that was previously said.
Va bin.
"Va bin" is a Piedmontese expression meaning "okay." It is quite well-known outside the region and can be used in a variety of contexts, such as to indicate acceptance of an offer or invitation.
"Will you check out at 11?" ..... "Va bin!"😂
Com'è?
The phrase "How is it?" is typical of the Turin dialect and means "How are you?" It may sound strange to non-locals and is often answered with "How is what?" to ask for more details about the question.
Hai voglia di...
Hai mica voglia di...
The question "Do you feel like...?" is typical for Turinese to ask a courtesy. It is often used with simple requests such as "Do you feel like visiting the Egyptian Museum?" but also for more demanding requests. To emphasize the importance of the request, the reinforcing "mica" is added, "Do you feel like throwing out the garbage?"
Solo più
The "just more" makes one smile just hearing it and is a typical expression in Turin is not used in standard Italian or elsewhere. "There is only one more free night in Citmabel" If you use it, then you are a Torinese!
Fare la figura del cioccolataio
Turin and chocolate, a love affair that does not stop in the Savoy city's delicious chocolate shops alone, but also rages in the language. Here, however, the meaning is far less sweet than a gianduiotto. "To make a chocolatier look like a chocolatier" in fact means to make a ridiculous or embarrassing impression.
Fare cena o pranzo
If you go to eat at some restaurant and want to pretend to be a Torinese then you should not ask should we have lunch or should we have dinner, but rather should we have lunch or should we have dinner.
Cicles
You have finished making lunch or making dinner, perhaps enjoying the famous garlic-rich Bagna Cauda😷
You definitely need a cicles, or chewing gum.
Piciu
If you hear this phrase addressed to you, "but you're piciu, look where you're going!"Well it's not a compliment.😬
In Turin dialect, "piciu" is a term used to describe someone who is not very bright or who makes mistakes. In fact, it is a common phrase in these situations and corresponds to the Italian ""but you are such a fool.""
Mandalo a stendere
Well they are not telling you to go home and do your laundry and hang it out.
It's a typical phrase to tell someone to fuck off....
Boja Fauss
The inhabitants of Turin and Piedmont are familiar with the expression "boja faùss," which can express wonder or anger. It is not a vulgar expletive, but a common exclamation in situations of strong emotion.Its meaning has ancient origins when the hangman was still in operation in Turin and was not viewed well by the people, in fact fauss means false
I forgot, last curiosity!In Torinese mine are not apartments but rather alloggi!