Italian for my Girlfriend // Gift Ideas

My cousin Isabella is really amazing at stumbling across random shit on the internet that’s very entertaining. Oftentimes, not only are these things unique, but they can also be useful.  A lot of pop-culture.

There really isn’t any other way to describe her internet-surfing-escapades, and this year on my birthday, it was no different. I’ll never forget that surprise package I received (late) in the mail.

I’m not sure if she knows this, but often my family and Andrew (my handsome boyfriend) make fun of my pronunciation of all Italian words. Maybe my accent isn’t the greatest, and it is definitely “Canadianized” (or Canadian sounding), but I don’t butcher absolutely everything!

With that said, Isabella ordered me a set of cue cards called, “italian for my girlfriend.” Let me just tell you, this product is genius. Also, it is the best gift idea! The author is named Rosangela and the project is to make language cue cards for their significant other, who is learning how to speak Italian. On tumblr (click here to see more) it says, “I’m keeping a sketchbook of illustrated Italian words to help teach my girlfriend my native language.” 

Is that not the cutest incentive, ever?!

Some of these words I’ve grown up with, alongside my Nonna and cousins, or even my mom (who is also fluent). Though I am familiar with some of the vocabulary, the words and hand-drawn images, can be quite hilarious.

Here’s a look at some of the cards my package included:

Funny story – not sure if I would have ever noticed the similarities without these cue cards, but – my Nonna used to call our vaginas a “farfalleta.”

I see now, that this was slang for something else. A moth. They kind of look the same, I guess? Symbolically speaking of course.

(I’m going to have to consult my cousins on this one.)

There is a lot to talk about here. With some PG cards, the funniest are the simple words, which bring back childhood memories for me. Of course, every Italian and most people know what “Vaffanculo” stands for because it’s a swear word that gets tossed around a lot. However, “culo” may be less common, and it’s one of my favourites! Day and night are of course another pair of words that are easily learnable in an Italian household.

I’m thinking of putting some of them into frames. That is, whenever I end up moving out of my parents house. I think they’d be cute in a bathroom or hallway. You can always order your own by clicking here, and support an Italian artist!