Discover 20 Italian Proverbs in English: Meanings, Translations, and Usage

Proverbs are an integral part of every culture, encapsulating wisdom, values, and traditions in a few short phrases. Italian proverbs are particularly rich, offering insights into the Italian way of life, humor, and philosophy. Translating these proverbs into English not only allows us to appreciate their beauty but also helps in understanding different cultural perspectives. In this blog post, we will explore 20 Italian proverbs in English, complete with their original Italian versions, explanations, phonetic transcriptions, and practical examples.

Discover 20 Italian Proverbs in English: Meanings, Translations, and Usage

Whether you’re a language learner, a cultural enthusiast, or simply curious about the nuances of Italian expressions, this guide will provide valuable insights and enhance your appreciation of Italian culture. By examining these proverbs, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of Italian values and how they compare to expressions in your own language. So, let’s dive into these timeless pieces of wisdom and see how they translate into our everyday lives.

#1. “A stitch in time saves nine” ✂️

Original Proverb: “Chi ha tempo non aspetti tempo”
Phonetic Transcription: /ki a ˈtɛmpo non asˈpɛtti ˈtɛmpo/
Explanation: This proverb suggests that taking care of a problem right away prevents it from getting worse and requiring more effort later.
Examples:

• “Fixing that leaky faucet now will save you a lot of trouble later. Remember, ‘a stitch in time saves nine’!”
• “You should start your research project early; ‘a stitch in time saves nine.'”

#2. “Better late than never” ⏳

Original Proverb: “Meglio tardi che mai”
Phonetic Transcription: /ˈmɛʎʎo ˈtardi ke ˈmaj/
Explanation: This saying implies that it is better to do something late than not to do it at all.
Examples:

• “I know you’re just now apologizing, but ‘better late than never’.”
• “You finally finished the report—’better late than never,’ right?”

#3. “When in Rome, do as the Romans do” 🏛️

Original Proverb: “Paese che vai, usanza che trovi”
Phonetic Transcription: /ˈpaːeze ke ˈvajo uˈzantsa ke ˈtrɔvi/
Explanation: Adapt to the customs and behaviors of the place you are visiting.
Examples:

• “When you’re working abroad, remember: ‘When in Rome, do as the Romans do.'”
• “In this new country, you should follow local customs—’When in Rome, do as the Romans do.'”

#4. “Every cloud has a silver lining” ☁️

Original Proverb: “Non tutto il male viene per nuocere”
Phonetic Transcription: /non ˈtutto il ˈmaːle ˈvjɛne per ˈnwɔːʧere/
Explanation: Even in difficult situations, there can be something positive.
Examples:

• “Losing that job might be tough, but remember, ‘every cloud has a silver lining.’ You might find a better opportunity.”
• “She was disappointed with the delay, but ‘every cloud has a silver lining,’ as she got to spend more time with her family.”

#5. “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch” 🐥

Original Proverb: “Non vendere la pelle dell’orso prima di averlo ucciso”
Phonetic Transcription: /non ˈvɛndere la ˈpɛlle delˈlɔrso ˈprima di avˈɛrlo utˈʃizo/
Explanation: Don’t assume something will happen before it actually does.
Examples:

• “It’s great that you’ve been offered the job, but ‘don’t count your chickens before they hatch.’ Wait for the final offer.”
• “She’s already planning the vacation, but ‘don’t count your chickens before they hatch.’ The deal isn’t finalized yet.”

#6. “A penny saved is a penny earned” 💰

Original Proverb: “Chi risparmia, guadagna”
Phonetic Transcription: /ki riˈsparmja ɡwadˈaɲɲa/
Explanation: Saving money is just as valuable as earning it.
Examples:

• “You should consider cutting unnecessary expenses—’a penny saved is a penny earned.'”
• “Investing in energy-efficient appliances will save you money in the long run; ‘a penny saved is a penny earned.'”

#7. “The early bird catches the worm” 🌅

Original Proverb: “Chi dorme non piglia pesci”
Phonetic Transcription: /ki ˈdorme non ˈpiʎʎa ˈpeʃʃi/
Explanation: Those who start early have an advantage.
Examples:

• “If you want the best deals, you need to get up early—’the early bird catches the worm.'”
• “She always gets the best seats at the theater by arriving first; ‘the early bird catches the worm.'”

#8. “Actions speak louder than words” 🗣️

Original Proverb: “Le azioni parlano più delle parole”
Phonetic Transcription: /le atˈtsjoni ˈparlano pju ˈdɛlle paˈrɔle/
Explanation: What people do is more important than what they say.
Examples:

• “He promised to help, but ‘actions speak louder than words.’ Let’s see if he actually shows up.”
• “She talks about being supportive, but ‘actions speak louder than words’—she needs to follow through.”

#9. “The proof of the pudding is in the eating” 🍮

Original Proverb: “La prova del nove”
Phonetic Transcription: /la ˈprɔva del ˈnɔve/
Explanation: The true value of something is judged by how well it performs or works.
Examples:

• We’ll see if the new method works once we test it—’the proof of the pudding is in the eating.’
• “The prototype looks good, but ‘the proof of the pudding is in the eating.’ We need to try it in real conditions.”

#10. “Out of sight, out of mind” 👀

Original Proverb: “Lontano dagli occhi, lontano dal cuore”
Phonetic Transcription: /lonˈtano ˈdaʎʎi ˈɔkki lonˈtano dal ˈkwɔre/
Explanation: If something or someone is not visible, it’s easier to forget about them.
Examples:

• “Since he moved away, she’s hardly thought about him—’out of sight, out of mind.'”
• “The clutter in the attic is forgotten because it’s ‘out of sight, out of mind.'”

#11. “You can’t judge a book by its cover” 📚

Original Proverb: “L’abito non fa il monaco”
Phonetic Transcription: /ˈabito non fa il ˈmɔnako/
Explanation: One should not judge someone or something based solely on appearance.
Examples:

• “He may not look the part, but ‘you can’t judge a book by its cover’—he’s very skilled.”
• “The old house looks rundown, but ‘you can’t judge a book by its cover.’ Inside, it’s beautiful.”

#12. “Too many cooks spoil the broth” 👩‍🍳

Original Proverb: “Troppe mani rovinano il brodo”
Phonetic Transcription: /ˈtrɔppe ˈmani roviˈnano il ˈbrɔdo/
Explanation: Having too many people involved in a task can lead to confusion and poor results.
Examples:

• “We need to streamline the project; ‘too many cooks spoil the broth.'”
• “It’s best if only a few people handle the event planning—’too many cooks spoil the broth.'”

#13. “Every rose has its thorn” 🌹

Original Proverb: “Anche le rose hanno le spine”
Phonetic Transcription: /ˈaŋke le ˈroze ˈanno le ˈspine/
Explanation: Every positive aspect has a negative side.
Examples:

• “The job is great, but it has its challenges—’every rose has its thorn.'”
• “Living in paradise comes with its own issues; ‘every rose has its thorn.'”

#14. “Where there’s a will, there’s a way” 💪

Original Proverb: “Chi vuole può”
Phonetic Transcription: /ki ˈvwɔle pwɔ/
Explanation: Determination and desire can overcome obstacles.
Examples:

• “If you’re dedicated, you can achieve your goals—’where there’s a will, there’s a way.'”
• “She managed to succeed despite the difficulties; ‘where there’s a will, there’s a way.'”

#15. “A friend in need is a friend indeed” 🤝

Original Proverb: “Un amico si vede nel momento del bisogno”
Phonetic Transcription: /un aˈmiko si ˈvede nel moˈmento del biˈzoɲo/
Explanation: True friends are those who help you in times of need.
Examples:

• “He stood by me during my tough times—’a friend in need is a friend indeed.'”
• “She’s always there when I need her; ‘a friend in need is a friend indeed.'”

#16. “Time heals all wounds” ⏳

Original Proverb: “Il tempo guarisce tutte le ferite”
Phonetic Transcription: /il ˈtɛmpo ɡwaˈriʃe ˈtutte le feˈrite/
Explanation: Emotional pain lessens over time.
Examples:

• “It’s hard now, but remember—’time heals all wounds.'”
• “You’ll feel better eventually; ‘time heals all wounds.'”

#17. “Haste makes waste” 🚀

Original Proverb: “Chi va piano va sano e va lontano”
Phonetic Transcription: /ki va ˈpjano va ˈsano e va lonˈtano/
Explanation: Rushing leads to mistakes and inefficiency.
Examples:

• “Take your time on the project; ‘haste makes waste.'”
• “Rushing through the test might lead to errors—’haste makes waste.'”

#18. “Money doesn’t grow on trees” 🌳

Original Proverb: “I soldi non crescono sugli alberi”
Phonetic Transcription: /i ˈsɔldi non ˈkrɛʃkono suʎʎi ˈalberi/
Explanation: Money is not easy to obtain and should be spent wisely.
Examples:

• “Be careful with your spending; ‘money doesn’t grow on trees.'”
• “We need to budget carefully—’money doesn’t grow on trees.'”

#19. “The grass is always greener on the other side” 🌿

Original Proverb: “L’erba del vicino è sempre più verde”
Phonetic Transcription: /ˈlɛrba del viˈʧino ɛ ˈsɛmpre pju ˈverde/
Explanation: People often think other situations are better than their own.
Examples:

• “You might think other jobs are better, but ‘the grass is always greener on the other side.'”
• “Don’t envy others’ lives; ‘the grass is always greener on the other side.'”

#20. “It’s not over until the fat lady sings” 🎤

Original Proverb: “Non è finita finché non canta la gallina grassa”
Phonetic Transcription: /non ɛ fiˈnita finˈke non ˈkanta la ɡalˈlina ˈɡrassa/
Explanation: Don’t assume something is finished until it’s actually over.
Examples:

• “The game isn’t over yet; ‘it’s not over until the fat lady sings.'”
• “We still have time to turn things around—’it’s not over until the fat lady sings.'”

Italian Proverbs in English Table

Italian Proverbs in English Printable

Conclusion

Understanding proverbs from different cultures can offer unique insights into the values and philosophies of those societies. Italian proverbs, with their rich history and vivid imagery, provide not only linguistic enrichment but also cultural understanding.

By translating these proverbs into English, we bridge the gap between languages and make the wisdom of Italian culture accessible to a broader audience. Each proverb carries with it a lesson that can be applied to various aspects of life, from personal growth to professional endeavors.

As we’ve explored these 20 Italian proverbs, we see that while language and expression may differ, the underlying human experiences and values remain remarkably similar. Incorporating these proverbs into your daily life can add depth to your understanding of both Italian culture and the universal truths they represent.

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