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The Italian Good Luck

7/8/2013

8 Comments

 
Immagine
To start this week in the best way here you'll find the most common ways to wish Good Luck in Italian! More slang for you!!!

Obviously the most common way is wishing BUONA FORTUNA (Good luck), but we also have other special ways, related to animals!
Immagine

IN BOCCA AL LUPO (in the mouth of the wolf)
This is the most used sentence. And because going in the mouth of the wolf is definitely dangerous, you have to answer: CREPI! ( hoping he will die)....I know, poor wolf...



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IN CULO ALLA BALENA ( in the backside of the whale)
This is another way used all over Italy. What you have to answer to such a wishing?
CHE NON CAGHI! (hoping it won't poop)


Immagine


IN GROPPA AL RICCIO (on the back of the hedgehog)
This is a less used way to wish good luck, but if somebody tells you this, just answer: SPERIAMO CHE DORMA A PANCIA IN SU! (let's hope it will sleep on its back).


BE AWARE!!! WHAT YOU CAN'T SAY!

If you'll come to Italy you will discover we are pretty superstitious...so, the word  "AUGURI" (wishes) can only be used in certain cases. It's perfect for a wedding, or a birthday, but never use it when somebody has to pass a difficult situation or an examination, or anything that requires a good amount of luck. Telling a student AUGURI before a test could create a panic attack in the poor guy! And be sure that even if he will smile at you, thanking you, his fingers will be ready for the sign of the horns on his back!
Go with an IN BOCCA AL LUPO, and everything will be perfect! We care about Good Luck!

Want to discover more Italian slang? Go here and find it out!

8 Comments
Domenico Sciarrone
7/7/2013 08:49:45 pm

Si dice anche
CHE DIO TE LA MANDI BUONA

Reply
TheItalianBridge
7/7/2013 09:02:09 pm

Yes Domenico, that's can be another option! thanks for sharing!

Reply
Marianna Randazzo link
7/8/2013 07:12:34 am

Who knew! I thought "auguri" covered everything. Hope I didn't insult or jinx anyone all these years. Thanks for sharing. IN BOCCA AL LUPO

Reply
The Italian Bridge
7/8/2013 08:06:08 am

You're Welcome Marianna! CREPI!

Now that you know this, you will bring luck to everybody!

Eida De Gennaro
7/8/2013 08:23:08 am

Loved your post!
Ciao

Reply
The Italian Briige
7/8/2013 08:30:36 am

Glad to hear that!

Reply
Janice Giffin
7/9/2013 04:20:11 am

In the US, when an actor is about to go on stage (or somebody is about to face some challenging task, like an exam) we say "break a leg"....in other words, "do your best". It is considered bad luck to say"good luck", so there seems to be some parallel there.

Reply
The Italian Bridge
7/9/2013 09:17:56 am

Yes Janice,you're right! I knew that saying! Pretty strange like ours!

Reply

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