Che bello! Reactions and compliments

A conversation in Italian is full of little reactions: Che bello!, Davvero?, Che peccato! This lesson gives you the ones you'll use most, and how to pay a compliment.

À votre tour

Signor Greco tells Karen that his daughter lives in New York. Karen answers Davvero? Che bello! What is she saying?

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The main idea

Reactions

Che is keh: ch before e or i sounds like k. peccato is pek-KA-to; davvero is dav-VEH-ro. Complimenti! looks like compliments, but it means well done! or congratulations!: say it for something someone did, like a great meal to the cook, not for a view or a building.

Compliments

-issimo makes an adjective stronger: buono becomes buonissimo, really good; bello becomes bellissimo. The stress falls on -is-: bel-LEES-see-mo, bwo-NEES-see-mo. The ending follows the noun: La città è bellissima., Il mare è bellissimo.

Signor Greco shows Karen around:

Quick check

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Karen hears that the museum is closed today. What does she say?

Che fortuna! Che peccato!

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Use -issima: The pizza is really good!

La pizza è !

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Signor Greco says he has been to Ohio. Karen is surprised. What does she say?

Davvero? Complimenti!

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Karen sees the sea from a terrace in Otranto, near Lecce. React with a compliment.

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Take with you

Che + a word, and -issimo when you mean it: that's how Italians react.