We have already talked about different meanings and uses of the noun caso (case, chance) — see this previous lesson. In the present lesson, we will further explore expressions using this super common and useful noun.
In a different previous lesson devoted to noticing things in Italian, we briefly discussed the expression farci caso (to notice something / to make an issue of something). Although the different meanings are related, they are different enough to warrant translating them differently.
Non lo so, non ci ho fatto caso, mi dispiace.
I don't know. I didn't notice, I'm sorry.
Caption 41, Provaci ancora prof! S2E3 Dietro la porta - Part 7
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Non ci far caso, che ha avuto una giornata molto difficile.
Don't pay any attention to it, because he's had a very hard day.
Caption 28, Un medico in famiglia Stagione 3 S3 EP1: Ciao famiglia - Part 6
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For more examples and explanations, check out the lesson! There you will find a list of possible English translations. And let's keep in mind that the basic meaning of caso here is "case" (not "chance").
Let's build on another expression we talked about in the other lesson: guarda caso, another nuanced expression with "caso." If we take it apart, it's sort of a command. "Look at what happened by chance." It can be inserted into a sentence just about anywhere, as is.
Here are some examples from recent videos to demonstrate. Guarda caso very often has the connotation of a coincidence that isn't really a coincidence. Something looks like it happened by chance, but was likely planned.
A detective is interviewing a suspect, putting two and two together.
Anche perché chi ha ucciso a [sic] Ramaglia è arrivato in cortile con una motocicletta, e guarda caso tu c'hai una moto.
Also because whoever killed Ramaglia arrived in the courtyard on a motorcycle, and what a coincidence, you have a motorcycle.
Captions 79-81, I Bastardi di Pizzofalcone EP2 Rabbia - Part 10
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All'appello mancano quattro abiti da sposa. Guarda caso, i più preziosi.
At the count, four wedding dresses are missing. As chance would have it, the most costly ones.
At the count, four wedding dresses are missing. What a coincidence, the most costly ones.
Captions 44-45, La Ladra EP. 2 - Viva le spose - Part 13
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This expression was once two words, but at some point in history, the two words became one, as happens with many compound words. Casomai is a rather intriguing expression. The two words are caso (chance) and mai (never, ever). Italian synonyms might be: nel caso che; semmai; eventualmente.
The literal translation is "chance ever." That's very unhelpful and makes no sense. But what the expression actually means is something like "if appropriate," "if at all," or "if anything." "in the event that." We could construe the Italian to mean "if there is ever the chance," and some additional translations could be: "if the situation/case comes up," "if the situation calls for it," "if circumstances permit," "if need be," and sometimes, "just in case." Translating it is tricky, and somewhat subjective, but if you hear it enough and start using it yourself, you'll find it very handy without thinking about what it would be in English.
And, what's more, Casomai is user-friendly, as it's one of those expressions we can throw in wherever we want, without worrying about the grammar. We could include it in the category of expressions such as magari, or mi sa that can stand alone at the beginning, in the middle, or at the end of a sentence.
Va be', noi casomai torniamo un altro giorno, eh.
OK, if appropriate, we'll come back another day, huh.
Caption 57, Sei mai stata sulla Luna? film - Part 10
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Eh, perché ero qua non posso dirglielo. Casomai dovrebbe essere Lei a dirmi che cosa ci faceva qua.
Uh, the reason I was here, I can't tell you. If anything, you're the one who should tell me what you were doing here.
Captions 4-5, Provaci ancora prof! S1E1 - Il regalo di Babbo Natale - Part 16
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Dopo, casomai... -Yeah. Dopo, magari fra...
Later, if need be. -Yeah. Later, maybe in a...
Captions 47-48, Provaci ancora prof! S1E3 - Una piccola bestia ferita - Part 15
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Tu non cerchi nessuno. Casomai la polizia.
You're not going to look for anyone. If anyone does, it'll be the police.
Caption 10, Provaci ancora prof! S1E1 - Il regalo di Babbo Natale - Part 11
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We hope this lesson has shed light on some expressions using caso (chance). Let us know if you have questions or comments. You can write to us a newsletter@yabla.com or write a comment in the comment section of any video.
We can detect the cognate "to move" in the verb muovere. In English, "to move" can be either transitive or intransitive.
We can move a piece of furniture from one place to another, or we can be the ones to move on our own. In Italian, however, muovere is basically transitive, in its natural, non-reflexive form.
Per me la cosa più bella è recitare e muovere i pupi.
For me the best thing is reciting and moving the marionettes.
Caption 56, Dottor Pitrè e le sue storie - Part 11
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Non riesco a muovere la gamba (I can't move my leg)!
When it's intransitive, it is primarily used in its reflexive form.
Il nostro uomo sta per muoversi.
Our man is about to move.
Caption 23, Provaci ancora prof! S1E3 - Una piccola bestia ferita - Part 23
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In addition to merely moving around in space, muoversi is used a lot to mean "to get going," "to get moving" (also figuratively), or "to get some exercise."
Ti vuoi muovere? -Arrivo!
You want to get moving? -I'm coming!
Caption 25, Provaci ancora prof! S1E1 - Il regalo di Babbo Natale - Part 11
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Non ti muovere o sparo!
Don't move or I'll shoot!
Caption 28, Un Figlio a tutti i costi film - Part 6
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Lui ha detto: "Io da qui non mi muovo."
He said, "I am not budging from here."
Caption 10, Fuori era primavera Viaggio nell'Italia del lockdown - Part 14
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The verb muovere has an irregular conjugation, and the past participle is used quite often as an adjective.
When the sea is rough, it's il mare mosso.
Non lo vedo più. -Perché il mare è un po' mosso.
I can't see him anymore. -Because the sea is a bit rough.
Caption 50, PIMPA S3 EP12 L'amica Onda
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When your hair is a bit wavy or not combed neatly, we use the past participle mossi. Let's remember that, in Italian, we use the plural capelli, even though in English, hair is a collective noun.
Aveva dei capelli mossi (she/he had wavy hair).
When you want someone to hurry up, you can say, muoviti (hurry up, get moving)!
Oh, cammina, muoviti. -Aspetta.
Hey, get going, move it. -Wait up.
Caption 11, Chi m'ha visto film - Part 14
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There is a noun form that comes from the past participle, and that is la mossa (the move). When you make the right move, fai la mossa giusta.
When you need to get a move on, it's darsi una mossa (literally, to give oneself a move).
Allora ragazzi, bisogna che ci diamo una mossa.
So, guys, we need to get a move on.
Caption 20, Concorso internazionale di cortometraggio A corto di idee - Part 1
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Datti una mossa, dai (get a move on, come on)!
Of course in English, we use the verb "to move" when we go to live in a different apartment or house. You may be wondering how to say that in Italian. Transitive or intransitive? None of the above!
The verb is traslocare, or, much more common, fare trasloco. Think of it as "translocation!" or "translocate," a cross between "transfer" and "relocate."
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Mantenere (to maintain, to keep)
The primary meaning of mantenere is “to maintain” (a true cognate) or “to keep.”
But it doesn’t mean “keep” as in keeping a lock of someone’s hair. For that, we can use tenere (which is also part of mantenere) or conservare. It’s more about keeping a promise, as in the following example, where the subjunctive of mantenere is used. Affinché (so that, in order for) is the conjunction that requires the subjunctive in this sentence.
Il ranocchio le gridò dietro affinché lei mantenesse la sua promessa.
The frog shouted after her, so that she would keep her promise.
Caption 33, Ti racconto una fiaba - Il Principe Ranocchio
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Mantenere can also imply keeping or maintaining something in a certain condition or position.
Fermo restando che insieme al, alla tintura viene richiesta [sic: vengono richiesti] spesso,
Taking for granted that together with the dye, often we get a request for
i pigmenti colorati che servono per mantenere anche il colore.
color revitalizers that are also used to maintain the color.
Captions 46-47, Professioni e mestieri - Rivenditore per parrucchieri
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È un ballo molto veloce, ritmato, in quattro quarti,
It's a very fast dance, rhythmic, in four four,
dove la caratteristica è mantenere le ginocchia sempre in movimento e alte.
whose characteristic is to always keep the knees moving and up high.
Captions 12-13, Adriano - Jive
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We use mantenere to mean “to support,” too. We use the reflexive form, mantenersi, to refer to making a living, to supporting oneself.
Si era messo a lavora' da un fornaio pe' mantenesse [per mantenersi], di notte.
He started working at a baker's at night to support himself.
Caption 21, Provaci Ancora Prof! - S1E1 - Il regalo di Babbo Natale
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Un mantenuto is someone who is “kept” or supported by someone else.
Giorgio non ha un lavoro, fa il mantenuto a casa di sua mamma.
Giorgio doesn’t have a job, he is supported by his mother.
Or we could say:
Si fa mantenere dalla sua fidanzata.
He gets supported by his girlfriend.
See also these other nouns that come from mantenere:
Mantenimento, which is more about financial support of people or animals.
Manutenzione which is more about maintenance and upkeep.
The following example uses both mantenere and manutenzione in a single sentence.
E fornisce molto lavoro, soprattutto per i ragazzi più giovani
And it provides a lot of work, above all for the younger people
che possono lavorare con le barche, possono affittarle, possono
who can work with the boats, (can) rent them, (can)
mantenerne la manutenzione, possono venderle.
keep up with the maintenance, (can) sell them.
Captions 8-10, Milena - al porto di Maratea
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Just for fun:
Ho mantenuto lo stesso giardiniere per vent’anni, perché era molto bravo nellamanutenzione degli atrezzi da giardino, e nel mantenere pulito e rigoglioso il giardino stesso. Inoltre, doveva mantenere cinque figli. Si manteneva con il giardinaggio.
I kept on the same gardener for twenty years because he was very good with the upkeep of the gardening utensils and in keeping the garden itself neat and flourishing. Besides, he had to support five children. He supported himself by doing gardening.
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