Italian Proverbs and Sayings with Pasta
Proverbs and sayings are a big part of Italian culture—just like pasta. Food and language go hand in hand, with expressions passed down through generations to describe personalities, share opinions, and make judgments.
Complimenting Someone with Pasta
One of the most well-known pasta-related sayings is “essere di buona pasta” (literally, “to be of good pasta”). It’s used to describe someone kind, honest, and generous. A similar, more casual expression is calling someone “una pasta d’uomo” (literally, “a pasta of a man”). This means they’re easygoing, understanding, and great to be around—just like a comforting plate of spaghetti with tomato sauce.
Describing Personality Traits with Pasta
But pasta proverbs aren’t just about compliments. If someone is “di pasta grossa” (literally, “of thick pasta”), it means they’re a bit rough around the edges and don’t always catch the finer details. And if two people have completely different personalities, you might say they’re “di tutt’altra pasta” (literally, “made of a whole different pasta”).
