Italian and English share the image of the "nose" to speak figuratively about different behaviors or attitudes. 

Take a look at Marika's video about various expressions having to do with il naso (the nose). 

Oggi parliamo di quelle espressioni che hanno a che fare con il naso.

Today, let's talk about those expressions that have to do with the nose.

Captions 4-5, Marika spiega Espressioni con naso

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We'll take a look at some of these expressions further in this lesson.

First of all, how do we say "nosy" in Italian? One way is to use the verb ficcare "to stick in..." Being nosy is when you stick your nose into situations where you probably shouldn't. 

No, perché se so che hai ricominciato a curiosare, a ficcare il naso dentro delitti, omicidi... ah!

No, because if I find out that you have started poking around, sticking your nose into crimes, homicides... ow!

Captions 29-30, Provaci ancora prof! S2EP1 - La finestra sulla scuola - Part 16

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We can compress this expression into a noun/adjective as well. 

Allora, lei è una che fa finta di starsene per conto suo, ma poi te la ritrovi sempre fra i piedi, una grandissima ficcanaso.

So, she is someone who pretends to mind her own business, but then you always find her underfoot, hugely nosy.

Captions 45-47, Provaci ancora prof! S1E4 - La mia compagna di banco - Part 30

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In the previous example, ficcanaso was used as a noun, as we can see by its indefinite article. But it can also be used as an adjective to describe someone. 

And we use the same noun, ficcanaso, in both the singular and the plural. 

A me i ficcanaso un mi so' [non mi sono] mai garbati [piaciuti].

Me, snoopers, I've never liked.

Caption 30, Il Commissario Manara S1EP2 - Vendemmia tardiva - Part 8

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Ficcare is commonly used in this expression, but not only. You'll find some examples on WordReference. Ficcare is somewhat similar to infilare or inserire, but it implies an action lacking in grace. 

Let's look at a very common expression used to describe someone who is snobbish or stuck up. 

When we talk about someone with la puzza sotto al naso (the stink below one's nose), we're talking about someone who is haughty, with one's nose in the air, or a snob. 

Be', quando facevo il liceo, c'era una classe dove c'era un sacco di figlie di professionisti, molte con la puzza sotto il naso.

Well, when I went to high school, there was a class where there were a bunch of professionals' daughters, lots of them with a stink under their noses [their noses in the air].

Captions 15-17, Illuminate Margherita Hack - Part 6

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The English word snob has made its way into the Italian language, as an adjective meaning "snobbish," but the longer expression is extremely common. 

Finally, a way to say something is based on one's intuition rather than precise information, is a naso (by one's nose), or a lume di naso (by the light of one's nose). They both can mean something like "an impression," "a gut reaction," "a gut feeling," or "off the top of one's head," "by the looks of things." So basically, you're making an educated guess, using your intuition. 

E ti è sembrata sincera? A lume di naso, no.

And did she seem sincere to you? Intuitively [by the light of my nose], no.

Captions 23-24, Provaci ancora prof! S3 EP2 Doppio imprevisto - Part 22

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We can use a naso when we're talking about measurements we are guessing at without knowing precise numbers, like the size of a room. Another way to translate this, depending on the context, is "by the seat of one's pants." 

There are certainly other expressions using the nose or the sense of smell, but this is a good start. Let us know if you come across other expressions with the nose that might be interesting, and we'll add them to the lesson. Write to us at [email protected]. 

Thanks for reading. Next month, we will look at a similar expression to a naso, having to do with approximation, so stay tuned!

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