This Animal Italian Words lesson is one of the free learning Italian language videos on this website.
Learn Animal Italian Words with Italian Proverbs
In bocca chiusa non entrano mosche.
Flies do not enter a closed mouth
Chi va coi lupi impara a ululare.
He who walks with wolves is taught to howl.
Quando il gatto non c’è, i topi ballano.
When the cat‘s away, the mice will play.
Can che abbaia non morde.
A barking dog doesn’t bite.
English equivalent: Barking dogs seldom bite. / All bark, no bite.
Meaning: “Threatening does not always lead to action: Harsh words may disguise a different feeling, intention, or ability.”
A caval donato non si guarda in bocca.
Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth
Meaning: Don’t be ungrateful when you receive a gift
Una rondine non fa primavera
One swallow doesn’t make a summer
In Italian, they use the word “primavera” (spring) instead of “estate” (summer). This is probably due to the fact that Italy is a southern European country and the climate improves earlier than in England.
Ad ogni uccello il suo nido è bello.
For every bird, his nest is beautiful.
English equivalent: An Englishman’s home is his castle
Meglio un asino vivo che un dottore morto.
Better a live donkey than a dead doctor
English equivalent: A live dog is better than a dead lion.
Meglio un uovo oggi che una gallina domani.
Translation: It’s better an egg today than a hen tomorrow.
English equivalent: A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
Di notte tutti i gatti sono grigi.
At night all cats are grey.
Quando il toro vede rosso crede di poter passare.
Translation: When the bull sees red it thinks it can go.
Meaning: An impulsive people forget the rules.
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