Ah, love! Its power overcomes all obstacles, awakens creativity and drives us to create beautiful works of art, music and… idioms!
There are many idioms about love in Italian. These gems of popular wisdom are deeply rooted in tradition and offer fascinating insights into the complexities of this beautiful emotion.
So, let’s explore some of the most famous Italian idioms about love. Whether you are a seasoned romantic or a hopeful dreamer, I am sure they will bring a smile to your face.
Italian idioms about married life
Love is not beautiful without fights
Literally: Love without arguments is not beautiful (= keep having those heated discussions!)
This is one of the most popular Italian idioms about love that we use in our everyday speech. It celebrates the passionate nature of our culture, reminding us that a little healthy conflict can make a relationship exciting. As another Italian proverb says, no fuss love it makes mold (love without arguments gets moldy).
Don’t stick fingers between husband and wife
Literally: Don’t meddle between wife and husband (=mind your own business!)
Being in love is a beautiful thing, but let’s be honest, it’s not always sunshine and rainbows. Tensions and disagreements sometimes arise. It can be tempting to meddle in someone else’s love affairs, but this Italian proverb suggests it’s best left alone. After all, a couple’s story is only their own.
love and jealousy are born together
Literally: Love and jealousy are born together (= healthy jealousy, healthy love life!)
Oh, that fervent emotion is love! When we love someone deeply, it’s natural to desire everything about them. So we’re here to say, don’t shy away when those little jealousies arise. In fact, it’s all part of the game (if done right!).
Italian idioms about love pain
Out of sight, out of mind
Literally: If the eyes can’t see, the heart won’t hurt (= can’t see, the mind is absent!)
This Italian proverb is a bit like the saying “ignorance is bliss,” which is often true when it comes to matters of the heart. When love presents a potentially painful situation (like betrayal), we often prefer to close our eyes and use our ignorance as our shield so we don’t suffer.
The pain of love, one suffering and one immortal
Literally: In the pain of love, one suffers but does not die (= you will survive!)
The mood swings that accompany loss or disappointment may seem unacceptable. Still, this Italian proverb reminds us that time is the best medicine. With the passage of time, the once surging negative emotions slowly dissipated, and the pain gradually faded away.
Like nails drive out nails, love drives out love
Literally: Just like a nail drives out another nail, so one love drives out another (=happy dating!)
What we’re saying here is that a new flame can provide temporary relief from the pain of a failed relationship, just as shiny new nails can replace rusty ones. But hold on before you jump into a new relationship. As Cesare Pavese Sr. once said, “One nail makes another, but four nails make a cross.” Starting a new relationship to escape heartbreak may not always be the answer.
Funny Italian Idioms About Love
god made them and paired them
Literally: God created them, then paired them (= match made in heaven!)
This phrase usually refers to couples getting along because they share certain characteristics. So much so that it seems God himself planned their relationship.A very similar idiom is lookalikes catch each other (Birds of a feather flock together). After all, shared lifestyles lead to effortless joy, right?
Love is blind but sees far
literally: Love is blind but sees far (=let love lead the way!)
When we are deeply in love, our world is a paradise of rainbows and butterflies. But, as the saying goes, love can sometimes blind us to our partner’s flaws and problems. This idiom has been used for centuries and in various cultures; however, in Italy we add a twist: love may be blind, but it senses qualities in our partner that are often overlooked by others.
Unlucky in play, lucky in love
Literally: Unlucky in games, lucky in love (= save money and take a chance at love!)
This popular Italian proverb says that love and gambling are like oil and water. In short, someone may not have much success or fortune when it comes to playing games or gambling, but they seem to have a lot of luck in love and relationships. Since building and maintaining strong, healthy relationships takes work, this could ultimately be a sign that you have a lot to offer in your relationships.
life circle can’t die square
Literally: Born round, dead square (= leopards cannot change their spots!)
A person’s nature is unlikely to change, so when it comes to love, this means you should be realistic about what you expect from your partner. If someone has a habit or behavior that you consider problematic, it’s unlikely they’ll get rid of it no matter how much they want to. So choose wisely!
gem of popular wisdom
love whoever escapes who wins
Literally: In love, the one who runs away wins (= embrace your inner runner and discover the thrill of being chased by love!)
Here’s the golden rule of seduction: Uncertain pleasure kindles the fire more than anything else. Courtship is a big part of the love game, so trying hard is usually the winning formula for getting the other person interested. And, as our Italian grandmothers used to say, If you want‘love, do‘ what do you desire (If you want someone to love you, let them desire you).
Love and coughing can’t be hidden
Literally: Love and cough can’t be hidden (= live in the moment and show off your love!)
Have you ever tried to cover up your cough? Not easy, right? Well, that’s what love is! This Italian proverb perfectly captures the irresistible power of love. Whether it is a spark or an intense flame, love cannot be hidden. You can try to calm down and pretend you don’t feel it, but eventually, the truth will come out.
first love will never be forgotten
Literally: First loves are never forgotten (= hug the memories of that special someone!)
Who doesn’t remember the first butterfly in their belly when they first fell in love? This famous Italian proverb about love speaks to the undeniable power of first love and how its effects can stay with us throughout our lives.
True love is neither sold nor bought
Literally: True love cannot be bought or sold (=spend your heart wisely!)
Among the best Italian idioms about love, this one stands out. True love is something money can’t buy. Yes, you can gift your partner and take them on exotic vacations, but the real magic of love is the connection itself. So put down your wallet and focus on love – that’s all you need.
heart is not ordered
Literally: You can’t control the heart (= let’s follow our hearts and see where they take us!)
How many of us have struggled with an inner battle between the mind and the heart when it comes to love? We’re all caught up in endless debates about what we want and how we feel. But the truth is, love and all the other strong emotions associated with it come from deep within us, something we cannot control or force.
Valentina is a travel writer who loves her country. After traveling the world, she realized there was so much more to explore closer to home and decided to put her passport aside for now.You can follow her adventures in Italy on her blog www.myitaliandiaries.com.
