We talked about the verb provare and related words in a recent lesson. There are a few other words to look at that have the same root. 

First, we have the noun il provino. It's related to prova and provare, because it's about trying out. When you try out for a part in a play, a movie, a theater production, you have to audition. Although the noun l'audizione (cognate of "audition") has become popular, the classical term is il provino or, in the plural (like prove) i provini. It likely came into vogue with sound cinema in the 20th century. 

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There can be un provino for getting into a school of performing arts, a summer course, getting a part as a soloist or even as part of an orchestra, landing a role in a movie, or on TV. 

Non sarai mica venuto a fare il provino come conduttore? -No.

You haven't come to try out to be the show host, have you? -No.

Caption 111, Un medico in famiglia Stagione 3 S3EP4 Lo stagno del ranocchio - Part 9

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Provino can stand for "screen test" when it's about movies or TV. 

Ah, comunque ho assistito al tuo provino, sei brava.

Ah, anyway, I saw your screen test, you are good.

Caption 33, Imma Tataranni Sostituto procuratore S1 EP4 Maltempo - Part 14

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Just as for le prove, auditions are often mentioned in the plural, perhaps because there is usually more than one person trying out for a part. Also, you might do multiple auditions for the same part. In the following example, the audition is for teaching Italian on TV in the sixties. Alberto is very nervous and has no idea what to expect.

Mi scusi, per i provini?

Excuse me, for the auditions?

Caption 47, Non è mai troppo tardi EP 2 - Part 11

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We know from reading actor biographies that it's often necessary to go to many auditions before landing a part. It can be depressing and frustrating. 

Franca, io faccio provini su provini, ma mai nessuno che mi dice: "Guarda, Mimmo, smettila, non fa per te, cambia mestiere".

Franca, I do audition after audition, but never does anyone say, "Look, Mimmo, quit it. It's not for you. Change professions."

Captions 32-34, Volare - La grande storia di Domenico Modugno Ep. 1 - Part 28

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Lei studia danza moderna da tanti anni e adesso ci sono i provini per un musical.

She's been studying modern dance for many years and now there are auditions for a musical.

Captions 21-22, La Ladra EP. 4 - Una magica bionda - Part 2

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Partenza la mattina, audizioni il pomeriggio, ritorno di notte.

Departure in the morning, auditions in the afternoon, return at night.

Caption 44, Volare - La grande storia di Domenico Modugno Ep. 2 - Part 2

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The noun "audition" can seem rather formal in certain contexts, especially non-musical ones, and the translation "tryout" can work just fine. 

Senti, Cettina, ma veramente lo devo tentare il provino alla radio?

Listen, Cettina, but should I really do a tryout for the radio station?

Caption 57, Un medico in famiglia Stagione 3 S3EP4 Lo stagno del ranocchio - Part 6

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In English, we can also use the compound verb "to try out," but in Italian, we still use fare un provino or fare un audizione. There is no specific verb. Provare might be used in certain contexts, but as we have learned, provare has various nuances. In sports or jobs, la prove can represent "the tryout."

Donata Miulli aveva una prova come cameriera, qui da Lei?

Donata Miulli had a tryout as a waitress, here at your place?

Caption 2, Imma Tataranni Sostituto procuratore S1 EP4 Maltempo - Part 6

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We can also say that someone who is still trying out for a job is in prova.

Certo che per essere in prova ce la mette tutta per farsi licenziare.

Certainly, for being evaluated, he's doing everything he can to get fired.

Caption 5, La Ladra EP. 3 - L'oro dello squalo - Part 1

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In photography, i provini can indicate the contact prints made from film, from which to choose the photos to enlarge. It can also mean to take some test shots. 

Ho conosciuto Lenox circa un mese fa per lavoro, e quella sera dovevo fare dei provini su uno still life.

I met Lenox about a month ago for work, and that evening I was supposed to do some test shots on a still life.

Captions 31-32, Provaci ancora prof! S2EP2 Una mina vagante - Part 6

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Finally,  just in case you are wondering, we have la provetta. It has nothing to do with auditions or contact prints, but it does have to do with blood tests, or tests of other materials. It's used in a lab. 

Umberto, prepara una provetta con le feci di questo ragazzo. -Subito.

Umberto, prepare a test tube with the stool of this boy. -Right away.

Caption 19, Moscati, l'amore che guarisce EP1 - Part 21

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Have we missed anything? Do you have questions? Write to us at [email protected]. Thanks for reading!

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We all struggle with lots of things in different ways. In Italian, there's a combination of two words we commonly use for this: fare fatica. Literally, it's "to make effort or exertion." It can mean "to make an effort," but "to struggle" is closer to the idea. Lots of times you make an effort because you are trying hard, and that's when we can use impegnarsi (to make an effort). It's easy to get confused.

Let's look at some examples from Yabla videos of fare fatica. In our first example, the meaning is literal. The speaker has Covid-19!

Faccio fatica ad alzarmi dal letto.

I have a hard time getting out of bed.

Caption 15, Fuori era primavera Viaggio nell'Italia del lockdown - Part 4

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The meaning can be mental, too.  

Fai anche fatica a trovare anche [sic] lavoro.

You also struggle to find work, too.

Caption 17, Benvenuti in Galera Bollate, Milano - Part 17

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When you are trying to understand someone, but you fail or almost, you can say.

Faccio fatica a capire il tuo inglese. Parliamo italiano (I'm having a hard time understanding your English. Let's speak Italian).

When you exert yourself, you can also use the verb faticare (to toil, to labor).

So you could also say,

Fatico a capire il tuo inglese (I struggle to understand your English). 

Il bisnonno credo che lavorasse sulle navi ospedale, durante la guerra, e loro avevano un orto a Procida per cui campavano delle cose dell'orto e hanno faticato sempre a mettere insieme il pranzo.

I think her great-grandfather worked on hospital ships, during the war, and they had a vegetable garden in Procida so they lived on things from the vegetable garden and they always struggled to pull lunch together.

Captions 7-10, Vera e Giuliano Montaldo - Part 5

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When you are just trying hard or working hard, then the reflexive verb impegnarsi works well.

Hai visto che quando ti impegni le cose le sai fare?

You see that when you make an effort, you are able to do things?

Caption 10, Sposami EP 2 - Part 17

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Impegnarsi can also mean to commit, such as when you promise to do something. 

La ditta Soleri si era impegnata a comprarlo, per almeno cinque anni.

The Soleri company had committed to buying it, for at least five years.

Caption 15, Il Commissario Manara S2EP6 - Sotto tiro - Part 3

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When we use impegno as a noun, it can mean a commitment, as something you have committed to doing, or it can mean you have a prior commitment, such as an appointment or errand. 

No, domani avrei un impegno.

No, tomorrow, I have a commitment.

Caption 54, Imma Tataranni Sostituto procuratore S1 EP 4 Maltempo - Part 6

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As in any language, there are different ways to say the same thing, or something similar. Keep your eyes and ears open so you can expand your vocabulary, and choose just the right word when the time comes. 

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