An idiomatic expression is an expression whose meaning cannot be translated literally from one language into another. For native speakers of English, the figurative meaning of the following expression is quite clear:

It's raining cats and dogs.

For non-native speakers of English, this expression can be puzzling! In order to understand the expression and others like it, one must develop an understanding of the culture in which the idiomatic expression is used.

Avere and essere are used with many idiomatic expressions in Italian. The key to understanding these expressions is not to let your knowledge of English get in your way and not to get into the habit of translating the expressions word for word.

Idiomatic expressions with avere:

Note that in these expressions the structure in English (to be + adjective) differs from the structure in Italian (to have + noun). Since the expressions in Italian include a noun, it logically follows that an adjective can be used to modify that noun:

Io ho sete. I am thirsty.

Io ho molta sete. I am very thirsty.

Maria ha freddo. Maria is cold.

Maria ha molto freddo. Maria is very cold.

Mio nipote ha paura del buio. My nephew is afraid of the dark.

Mio nipote ha molta paura del buio. My nephew is very afraid of the dark.

Avere can also indicate age:

avere + number + anni to be… years old

Quanti anni hai? How old are you?

Ho diciotto anni. I'm eighteen years old.

Exercise 7: Informal Idiomatic Expressions with Avere

Ask your friend whether…

• He/she is thirsty.

• He/she is warm.

• He/she is afraid.

• He/she needs a new car.

• He/she feels like talking.

Exercise 8: Formal Idiomatic Expressions with

Avere How would you ask an elderly neighbor the same questions?

Idiomatic Expressions with Essere

Though not as common as idiomatic expressions with avere, there are a few useful idiomatic expressions using the verb essere:

Essere al verde to be broke

Essere in gioco to be at stake

Essere nelle nuvole to daydream, to have one's head in the clouds