Sports and Activities
Now that you know the days of the week, the months of the year, and the seasons, it's time to learn the words and terms associated with indoor and outdoor activities. Soccer, by far the most popular sport in Italy (and in most countries in the world!), is by no means the only sport in Italy. You will find numerous sports, games, and activities available for your recreational pleasure.
Golf has become increasingly more popular over the past few years in Italy. Golf courses are widely available, but greens fees can be expensive. Driving ranges are an inexpensive way to keep your swing in top form!
Commonly Heard
Some words are common to all sports and games. Whether you're reading about it in the newspaper, watching it on TV, or observing from the audience, you're bound to hear the following words sooner or later.
Table 5-12
Outdoor Activities
What do you do in your free time? The following are some useful terms and expressions associated with outdoor activities.
Table 5-13
In Italian, there are two words (used interchangeably) for soccer: il calcio and il football. Football as we know it in the United States is called football americano in Italy. When friends want to get together for a pickup game, they will often refer to it as pallone (similar to the way Americans say “Let's play some ball.”).
The Name of the Game
Italians play all sorts of sports, not just soccer! There are many amateur hockey, baseball, and basketball leagues all over Italy.
Table 5-14
Soccer
If you're visiting Italy in soccer season, try to catch a game. Most all large cities have a professional team, and you'll find semi-professional and amateur games everywhere. For the uninitiated, soccer can be confusing. The following are some terms you might come across when watching a soccer match.
Table 5-15
