Italian Culture: Language, Cuisine, and Heritage

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What comes to mind when you think about Italian culture? The food? Renaissance? Artists, writers, and thinkers like Leonardo da Vinci or Michelangelo? Fashion designers like Armani, Versace, and Prada? Or the beautiful Italian language?

With over 60 million Italians living in Italy and over 5 million living abroad, learning about the Italian language and culture will help you speak to millions of people, study or work abroad in Italy, or connect with family members. And learning about its culture will help you speak the language better, while understanding its nuances.

As a language nerd who’s studied Italian for years, I’m happy to put together this guide on Italian culture, covering language basics, food, culture, and lifestyle!

The Italian Way of Life: Family Comes First

At the heart of Italian culture lies a way of life that prioritizes family, community, and the simple pleasures of good food, good wine, and good company.

Extended, multi-generational families often live together or in close proximity. Sunday lunches with parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins are a cherished ritual. You might have come across Italian social media creators talking about their family relations, especially how their grandparents spoil them!

@jimmybigmuscles Sunday’s at Nonna’s #nonnarita #nonna #mangia #calabrese #Italian #italianfood #nonni #delicious #italy #sundaydinners #italianfamily #famiglia #traditions #italiantraditions #foryoupage #worldcup2022 #fyp ♬ ITALIAN RESTAURANT 1 – Cavendish

Community life revolves around the piazza, or town square, where people of all ages gather to socialize, drink coffee, and catch up. In the evenings, the piazzas come alive as people take their daily passeggiata, or leisurely stroll.

August in Italy is ferragosto, meaning Feast (Fest) of Agustus, the Roman Emperor. This is when many small businesses shut down, as locals take vacation days and often travel to a seaside town.

Meals in Italian are meant to be enjoyed and shared — it’s normal for them to include several courses and last over two hours. When cooking, fresh food is very important, especially because Italian cuisine relies heavily on high-quality, locally sourced ingredients.

Food in winter and in summer also tend to be different.

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZIJnn5wnU

Aperitivo, the Italian happy hour is a nice time to socialize, as friends gather for pre-dinner drinks and snacks.

Festivals and holidays are an integral part of Italian life, and each region has its own celebrations. Some famous examples across regions include Venice’s Carnevale, with its elaborate masks and costumes, and the Palio di Siena, a high-stakes horse race dating back to the Middle Ages.

Region is the key word here — Italian lifestyle can change depending on the region. Northern Italy is known for its fast-paced, more industrious culture and Southern Italy for its relaxed, slower tempo. Yet despite these differences, the emphasis on family, community, and enjoying life’s simple pleasures remains similar.

Italian Cuisine and Wine: Importance of Fresh Food

Italian cuisine is more than pizza and pasta. There are lots of regional varieties, culinary traditions, and family recipes.

Meals often showcase what’s known as cucina povera, which translates to “poor cooking.” It emphasizes simple preparation methods highlighting a few ingredients. Some of the most iconic Italian dishes, like pasta al pomodoro (pasta with tomato sauce) or Caprese salad (mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil), rely on just a few key components.

@our_cookingjourney Eggs in purgatory, the classic example of cucina povera!🍳🍅 Delicious poached eggs in a simple tomato sauce and accompanied with some toasted bread and nothing else brings me back straight back to my childhood. When my mum wasn't at home and when dad used to be the one cooking for us, me and my sisters we knew what dad was going to make. He knew how to play it safe. This is definitely an easy dish but it’s rich and comforting and the perfect way to satisfy anyone! I still love to make this dish on a lazy day and when I want a treat! 😊 Ingredients for 3-4 portions 400g of canned plum tomatoes (I have used sweet plum tomatoes here but during tomato season you can use nice and ripe fresh tomatoes for this recipe) 1 brown onion 4 large fresh eggs 2 small fresh chillies 2 cloves of garlic (I have infused the chilli and garlic whole with the oil and then removed them before adding in the tomatoes) A few basil leaves Olive oil Salt and pepper #uovainpurgatorio #shakshuka #cucinapovera #peasantfood #italianrecipe #italiancuisine #egg #tomato #recipeshare #meatfree #comfortfood #soulfood #italianfood ♬ original sound – Francesco Mattana

In the north, risotto, polenta, and hearty meat dishes are common, while the south is known for its fresh seafood, citrus fruits, and vegetables. Cured meats like prosciutto and salami, as well as cheeses like Parmigiano-Reggiano and mozzarella, are also key ingredients.

Italy is one of the world’s largest wine producers, with over hundreds of official wine varieties. Some of the most famous Italian wines include Chianti, Barolo, and Prosecco. You’ll often see them paired up with dishes — it’s meant to enhance the flavors of the dish.

A typical Italian dinner might start with an aperitivo and stuzzichini (pre-dinner drink and snacks). Then comes the antipasti (starters), followed by the primi (pasta or rice course) or secondi (main course, usually meat or fish), and contorni (side dishes). After that, you have dolci (desserts), but the meal doesn’t end here. People often enjoy having an espresso or a digestivo (after-dinner liqueur). And of course, one of the reasons why meals last so long is the fun conversations you have while eating!

We covered a lot of vocabulary here, so let’s end this section with a vocabulary table of the meal names we’ve learned, along with some other useful food vocabulary in Italian!

English	Italian	Audio
“Poor cooking” or “cooking simple dishes with basic ingredients”	Cucina povera
“Pasta with tomato sauce”	Pasta al pomodoro
“Dry-cured ham”	Prosciutto
“Cured sausage”	Salami
“Parmesan cheese”	Parmigiano-Reggiano
“Pre-dinner drink”	Aperitivo
“Appetizers”	Antipasti
“First course” (often pasta or rice)	Primi
“Second course” (often meat or fish)	Secondi
“Side dishes”	Contorni
“Desserts”	Dolci
“After dinner liqueur”	Digestivo
“Breakfast”	Colazione
“Lunch”	Pranzo
“Dinner”	Cena

Italian Art and Architecture: From Romanesque to Art-Nouveau

Many iconic buildings of Italian architecture date back to the Roman Empire — think the Colosseum, the Pantheon, and the Roman Forum. That said, this is not the only architectural style Italy has. You’ll also find examples of Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque, Rococo, and Art-Nouveau architectures in the country.

Here are some of the world-famous architectural masterpieces in the country:

• The Colosseum, Rome: An amphitheater that was used for gladiatorial contests and spectacles
• Pantheon, Rome: A former Roman temple turned church, renowned for its massive dome
• Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence: A Gothic cathedral with a distinctive red-tiled dome
• Doge’s Palace, Venice: Formerly the residence of the Doge (Venetian Dukes) and the seat of government, now a museum
• Duomo di Milano, Milan: A Gothic cathedral known for its intricate spires, statues, and gargoyles
• Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Milan: A grand 19th-century shopping arcade hosting luxury brands and historic cafes
• Leaning Tower of Pisa, Pisa: A 60-meter tall tower known for its tilted shape

As for art, the Italian city of Florence is known as the birthplace of the Renaissance, Europe’s cultural revolution that took place in the 14th-century. Marking the end of the Middle Ages, this was the period when masters like Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Botticelli, and Raphael created some of the world’s most famous artworks, including Mona Lisa, David, and the frescoes of the Sistine Chapel.

Later on, the 17th-century Baroque period brought more dramatic, turbulent art and buildings, and the 18th-century Rococo style emphasized elegance and refinement. Then came futurism and avant-garde movements, along with surreal art.

Visit Italy and you’ll experience an open-air museum, with art and architecture all around!

Italian Music and Cinema

Italian music and cinema are very broad topics — there are 18th and 19th-century composers like Verdi, Puccini, and Rossini who wrote some of the most famous operas, as well as 20th-century tenors like Enrico Caruso and Luciano Pavarotti who have gathered a global audience.

You can find different types of folk music and dance traditions in different Italian regions. For example, southern Italy has tarantella, a lively dance characterized by its swift movements.

@federicagreco872 💜#perte #neiperte #folk #tarantella #sicilia #bagheria #folkmusic #danzapopolare #danza #dance #musicasiciliana #abitofolk #tradizione #tradizionale #folkdance #tarantellasiciliana🥰 ♬ suono originale – Federica Greco

As for cinema, Italy is known for various genres, such as art cinema, Neorealism, Giallo thrillers, Spaghetti Westerns, and contemporary films. The country is home to famous directors like Federico Fellini, Roberto Rossellini, and Bernardo Bertolucci; and actors like Marcello Mastroianni, Sophia Loren, and Monica Belluci.

If you’d like to practice your Italian or learn more about the culture through movies, here are some you can check out:

• La Dolce Vita (1960): Drama, Comedy, Fantasy
• Life Is Beautiful (1997): Comedy, Drama, War
• Smetto Quando Voglio (2014): Comedy, Crime
• Perfect Strangers (2016): Comedy, Drama
• The Hand of God (2021): Drama

Italian Fashion and Style: “Looking Good Effortlessly”

Starting from the 50s, Italian designers like Emilio Pucci and Salvatore Ferragamo established their brands. Italian fashion made waves on the international level especially in the 60s and 70s, with Valentino, Giorgio Armani, Gianni Versace, and others.

Milan, Italy’s fashion capital, is home to the country’s most iconic fashion houses, such as Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, and Fendi. Twice a year, the city hosts Milan Fashion Week, one of the industry’s most prestigious events. One of Milan’s most beloved attractions is a shopping center — Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.

Italians are known for dressing well and having style, which we can see in trends like “dress like an Italian” or “European girl summer.”

@ciaoamberc #stitch with @itslindsayrose #italy #italiansummer #clothes #fashion ♬ original sound – Ciao AmberC

Since style is a part of life, the Italian language has various words and phrases related to fashion and looking good. Here are some examples:

• Alta moda: “High fashion”
• La bella figura: Literally translating to “the beautiful figure,” la bella figura is an important cultural concept in Italian society. It’s about presenting oneself well, be it with appearance or manners.
• Spezzatura: Although not used so much in daily life, this word means “looking good without trying too hard.”
• Sartoriale: “Sartorial,” related to tailored clothing, often referring to high-quality, well-fitted items
• Stilista: “Fashion designer”
• Fatto a mano: “Hand-made”

Italian style and luxury items are everywhere, not only in the fashion industry. From furniture to cars, Italian designers are known all over the world.

Italian Language and Gestures

Standard Italian, based on the Tuscan dialect, is the official language in Italy, but not the only one. The country has more than 30 regional languages, some of which are mutually unintelligible. That said, everyone speaks standard Italian. For example, someone from Sicily would most likely speak Sicilian with their family, but standard Italian with another Italian coming from Veneto.

When you start learning Italian, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with some core words. Here are 10 words to begin with:

English	Italian	Audio
“Hello”	Ciao
“Thank you”	Grazie
“Yes”	Sì
“No”	No
“Excuse me” (formal)	Scusi
“Excuse me” (informal)	Scusa
“You’re welcome”	Prego
“How are you?” (formal)	Come sta?
“How are you?” (informal)	Come stai?
“Good morning”	Buongiorno

Italians are also known for their hand gestures, which look like a language on their own! These gestures express emotions and sometimes replace words all together! One of the most common ones is che vuoi (“what do you want?”), which you may recognize from the pinched hand emoji. 🤌

@antonio_benina This is next level fluent 🥹🤌🏼🫶 #italy #italian #language ♬ Che La Luna – Louis Prima

Once you’re familiar with the basic Italian words and gestures, you can move on to more complex Italian expressions and sayings. Some of them have become well-known in other languages, such as la vita è bella” (“life is beautiful”), la dolce vita (“sweet life”), and il dolce far niente (“the sweetness of doing nothing”).

Regional Differences and Traditions

The divide between Northern and Southern Italy is particularly well-known. Northern Italy, which includes regions like Lombardy, Veneto, and Piedmont, is known for its big cities, economy, and more reserved culture. Milan, Venice, Turin, and Bologna are some of its major cities.

Southern Italy includes regions like Campania, Calabria, and Sicily, and is associated with a more relaxed, expressive lifestyle, and close-knit communities. The capital, Rome, is considered central Italy, but the country’s economic capital is no other than the Northern city of Milan.

Depending on where you go in Italy, you’ll find different types of food, wine, art, and architecture. Tuscan cuisine, for example, is known for dishes like ribollita (bread soup) and bistecca alla fiorentina (Florentine steak), while Sicilian cuisine features influences from other countries, with dishes like arancini (rice balls) and caponata (an eggplant dish).

Each region also has its own festivals and traditions. Some notable examples include:

• Carnevale: Pre-Lent celebration with masquerades and parades, most famously in Venice
• Palio di Siena: Historic horse race held twice a year in Siena’s central piazza
• Festa di San Gennaro: Feast day of Naples’ patron saint, celebrated with processions and street fairs
• Ferrara Buskers Festival: International art and music festival in Ferrara
• La Notte della Taranta: Music festival celebrating the traditional “pizzica” dance, held in Salento

Immerse Yourself in Italian Culture to Improve Your Language Skills

Learning about Italian culture will certainly help you to express yourself better when practicing the language!

You’ve made a great start with this article — now it’s time to check out more Italian learning resources such as courses, books, and apps!

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