ARIES
Aries, the first sign of the zodiac ruled by fiery Mars, is a perfect match for DAI. This little word, perhaps best translated as “c’mon”, is used to convey urgency or impatience, or to encourage or persuade: e.g. “Dai, let’s go!”, “Dai, don’t you want to ask for forgiveness, not permission with me?” (Very Aries.) Restless Aries have a propensity for agitation and an innate need for action; they’re driven by a constant desire to move forward–and quickly. If dai is the linguistic equivalent of a spur, Aries are the jockeys. They’re truly incapable of being made to wait for more than two seconds; mainly because they’re quick (so quick!) to jump to conclusions–Aries are ruled by gut instinct, after all–and are always ready to dive headfirst into new adventures. This quick-to-dai nature, however, can also make them easily frustrated when things don’t progress as smoothly as they’d like: Aries, when this happens, take a deep breath and let it all out with one exasperated dai.
TAURUS
We can’t think of a more TRANQUÌ sign. Tauruses are characterized by their laidback, calm, and grounded nature, and it’s no surprise that these bulls easily find practicality and stability. Tranquì , the colloquial abbreviation of “tranquillo/a”, meaning “calm” or “relaxed”, can be used as both an adjective and an imperative, the latter being a concise way to tell someone to chill the f**** out. And that is what Tauruses love to do. Snacks in bed, bubble baths, a bottle of red wine to oneself: Tauruses are royals when it comes to self care. (It’s these earth sign’s strong connection to the physical world that translates into a preference for comfort and luxury.) But don’t you dare think this means a Taurus is lazy: these stubborn signs honor their commitments and are known for their persistence in pursuing their goals. Patience and determination allows them to work steadily. Work hard, tranqui hard is the modus operandi of Tauruses every day.
GEMINI
These chatty Kathies find their equal in DIMMI, the Italian verb meaning “tell me” or “say to me”. Although the word can be used in a million ways–e.g. “Dimmi the tea!” (a very Gemini question)–dimmi is often used in and of itself to ask for someone’s thoughts. Curiosity is a driving force in these air signs’ lives, as they possess a constant thirst for knowledge, making them lifelong learners and versatile individuals who adapt easily to various situations. As such, talkative Geminis thrive in social settings and can be found dimmi’ing a diverse circle of acquaintances at any party. These twins gather info not on a need to know basis, but a want to know basis. And they want to know everything. (That’s why their stars are so big. They’re full of secrets!) Their tendency towards gossip can either make them shadowy manipulators or social butterflies who are the life of the party–depending on which of the twins you find yourself in the company of.
CANCER
These water signs have a deep emotional sensitivity: they just feel so damn hard. And, whether positive or negative, their strong feelings often lead to intense emotional reactions. There’s no better choice, therefore, for these empaths than MAMMA MIA. Yes, we Italians really do use the term–unironically–and it’s the perfect way to express many an emotion. Surprise, excitement, frustration, and disbelief–mamma mia tackles them all. The interjection is not one you can say tonelessly; you’ve got to throw your proverbial back into it, and add a few hand gestures to boot, just like a Cancer does all the time. Mamma mia, after all, has got a hint of melodrama just like these crabs. Understandably, Cancers have a profound need for emotional security. Their sentimentality and protective instincts often lead them to deeply value family, and perhaps this is what makes mamma mia the most Cancerian: it calls upon a mamma.
LEO
These natural-born cheerleaders effortlessly infuse any space with their radiant energy: what better than BRAVO/A! This sunny exclamation–which is now commonly used in various languages, including English–is an expression of approval, admiration, or congratulations. The ultimate Italian compliment, a hearty bravo has the remarkable ability to lift one’s mood and turn their day around–just like a Leo. The second one of these lions walks through the door, you know you’re going to have a good time. Leos are skilled at uncovering the silver linings of any situation and inspiring those around them to adopt a similar perspective. In other words, these fire signs know how to gas their girls up. Just remember that they want to get it like they give it. Highly motivated by praise, Leos love the spotlight… and expect a resounding chorus of bravos when they get off the stage (that is, if they ever do).
VIRGO
Virgos = perfectionists = PERFETTO. Flawless, perfect, impeccable–all adjectives that Virgos strive for. These earth signs approach life with a microscope and magnifying glass, and this can often make people perceive them as judgemental. On the contrary, they’re just really trying to keep an eye out for you, and it’s easy for Virgos to feel unappreciated when this goes unnoticed. There’s no one better at putting method to madness, a valuable trait when it comes to mind-bending Italian bureaucracy. Or when it comes to properly storing and caring for clothes at cambio di stagione, for that matter. While they may drive themselves (and occasionally others) to the brink of madness in pursuit of perfection, there’s a certain charm in their dedication. Virgos remind us that excellence is a noble, Renaissance-esque pursuit, even if it occasionally involves alphabetizing the pasta shapes until perfetto at 2 AM.
LIBRA
You may have guessed this one from a mile away, but there truly is no better word for indecisive Libras than BOH, a versatile term used to express uncertainty, indifference, or a lack of information. Depending on the context and tone, boh can convey a range of meanings along the lines of “I don’t know,” “I have no idea,” “I’m not sure,” “It doesn’t matter to me,” or “I don’t care.” These air signs are symbolized by the scales, so it’s no surprise that they value balance, harmony, and justice: their inclination to weigh all options meticulously to ensure fairness can lead to hesitation–if not paralysis–when making choices. Libras’ aversion to conflict and people-pleasing nature certainly don’t help this indecisiveness either! Boh is also quite meta: not only is the word’s meaning noncommittal, but the way you say it is too. You barely even have to open your mouth to let the single-syllable sound escape. A tiny little shrug or head tilt might accompany it, but nothing too exaggerated. The energy is all very Libra, very “forgetting” to respond to texts, very changing your aesthetic every week, very detached… but like in a romantic, mysterious way.
SCORPIO
Scorpios are often associated with profound personal transformations: these water signs have the ability to leave behind old versions of themselves and say ARRIVEDERCI, meaning “goodbye”, to the past, embracing new chapters in life with courage and determination. (And these passionate pioneers definitely know how to pronounce it right–not like Brad Pitt in Inglourious Basterds.) As Scorpios have a strong sense of loyalty, they’re fiercely protective of themselves and their loved ones and won’t tolerate anyone who threatens or disrespects those they care about, cutting them out of their lives with a final arrivederci. This often gains these scorpions the reputation of being harsh, but trust us, life is better with a Scorpio on your side! Scorpios are quite mysterious–they value privacy and personal boundaries–which makes them exude major arrivederci energy. But it’s well worth taking the time to prove your trustworthiness to a Scorpio, for they’re the most supportive friends and partners you could imagine.
SAGITTARIUS
ANDIAMO, “let’s go”, a perfect word for people always on the move. Freedom is paramount to Sagittariuses: they deeply value their independence and dislike feeling tied down by routine or obligations. As such, these curious cats are constantly looking for the next adventure–or challenge, for that matter. They’re the zodiac’s daredevils, and their escapades make even the rotonda look like a walk in the park. This adventurous and impulsive nature often leads them to seek immediate gratification and action. These impatient fire signs are the type to say, “Why wait when we can get going? Andiamo!” Andiamo can also be used to express enthusiastic agreement for a proposal or plan, sort of like “let’s do it”. Well, these archers are down to clown and up for anything. Given all these traits, it’s not surprising that they’re often quite open-minded people who cherish intellectual freedom and love to learn about other’s perspectives!
CAPRICORN
No nonsense Capricorns and their chop chop attitude are matched by ALLORA. This essential Italian word is most often used to mean something along the lines of “and now” or “and so?”, used in sentences like “Allora, let’s get going now” or “Allora, what do you think?” There’s no dilly dallying around these earth signs; they’re gonna hurry you up–whether literally or metaphorically–with a whiplash allora. Capricorns often assume leadership roles, thanks in part to their dependable and reliable nature, and allora is a word that wields authority like a weapon. Capricorns can also be defensive at times, especially when their opinions are tested, and they have a natural inclination towards initiating debates to assert their perspectives: well, anybody with a passing familiarity with allora knows that “e allora?!” is a common way to say “yeah? And what of it?”–a tried-and-true, Capricorn-esque shield when you’re feeling challenged or accused. But the thing that’s the most Capricorn about allora is this: they both can dexterously shift between earnest and cheeky… We all know Capricorn’s witty one-liners are second to none.
AQUARIUS
Aquarius’ favorite word: PERÒ (a raised finger of objection is optional, but recommended for effect.) These air signs are known for their rebellious streak and quirky contradictions, and, if you’ve ever had a conversation with one, you’ve probably noticed their uncanny ability to slip the word “but” into just about any sentence. It’s like these contrarians’ verbal cavallo di battaglia. Aquarians love to push boundaries and want to seem unconventional, even if they aren’t actually: like però, they can’t resist the urge to throw a curveball into every conversation, playing devil’s advocate just for the sake of being ~different. (These water bearers deeply value individuality and independence, after all.) This ability to question the status quo, however, allows them to come up with solutions, solutions, solutions; as a result, Aquarians have a reputation for being innovative thinkers ahead of their time. So, every time you encounter an Aquarius or a però, buckle up, because you never know where you’re going to end up!
PISCES
Pisces are masters of going with the flow, and what word is better able to roll with the punches than VABBÈ? A shortening of “va bene”, vabbè–“okay,” “alright,” or “sure”–is one of the most versatile expressions of everyday Italian conversation. And Pisces are nothing if not versatile: as a water sign ruled by Neptune, they possess a natural adaptability and a deep connection to the ever-changing currents of life. You can throw any curveball their way, and they’ll take it with an easy vabbè. (Though sometimes these conflict-avoidant water signs will hit you with a classic passive aggressive vabbè too.) It definitely helps that their heads are in the clouds: you’ll often catch these fishies daydreaming about Tuscan islands and zabaione with fragoline. But don’t let their dreamy demeanors fool you; Pisces are intuitive and creative. There’s no problem too big for them: they lead with “vabbè dai, we’ll figure it out,” before coming up with the greatest, wildest ideas, the ones that leave others with no choice but to say “vabbè pazzesco”!
