La mano ("the hand") is one of the first Italian nouns you'll learn. It has a small surprise: although it ends in -o, like many masculine nouns, it is feminine (la mano, le mani).

But that's not the only interesting thing about this word. It has also given rise to a whole family of everyday Italian words—from maniglia (handle) and manuale (manual) to manette (handcuffs) and manodopera (workforce, labor). Once you see the common thread, they're much easier to remember.

Che tenerezza. -Sta in buone mani, dai.

How sweet. -She's in good hands, come on.

Caption 63, I Bastardi di Pizzofalcone S2 EP1 Cuccioli - Part 1

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We can use it literally, as in shaking hands. Italian uses the singular: stringere la mano.  

I pomodori si staccano dalla pianta rigorosamente a mano, seguendo il grado di maturazione dei frutti.

The tomatoes are detached from the plant strictly by hand, according to the degree of the ripening of the fruit.

Captions 36-37, Pomodori Vulcanici Pomodori del Vesuvio - Part 1

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When you go to Italy and want to buy a mug to take home, it might say: dipinto a mano (hand-painted). 

Some verbs also belong to the mano family. Maneggiare means “to handle,” “to operate,” or “to manipulate.”

Io non posso fidarmi di chi non può mantenere le promesse.

I can't trust someone who doesn't keep his promises.

Captions 15-16, Imma Tataranni Sostituto procuratore S1 EP4 Maltempo - Part 19

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 We also use mantenere to mean “to support,” as in parents financially supporting their children.

Ma come faccio a mantenere un figlio?

But how can I support a child?

Caption 25, Com'è umano lui Film - Part 10

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If you do a search of mantenere (and the different conjugations, too), you'll find a wide variety of examples, with different contexts and nuances. 

Provare is a common word used in various contexts. We have talked about some in this lesson and in this one, too. It generally means "to try," but not only. In this lesson, we'll be talking about using the verb provare and related words in the context of music and other performing arts. 

While a rock band or jazz band will likely practice, an orchestra, classical ensemble, or theater production rehearses. In Italian, the verb for both is generally provare. The group is trying things out if we think about it. 

Da oggi, compreso oggi, abbiamo quattro giorni per provare prima che arrivi il maestro.

From today, including today, we have four days to rehearse before the maestro arrives.

Captions 39-40, La compagnia del cigno S1 EP3 - Part 2

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But what do we call the rehearsal itself?

When it's at a specific time and place, we might hear it used in the singular. Let's keep in mind that "una prova" can have multiple meanings, and depending on the context, might not pertain to music or theater. Sometimes, especially for a band, the kind of prova will be specified, with the term la prova musicale (the musical rehearsal, the music practice session).

Be', io devo tornare, il ragazzetto rompicoglioni deve studiare, domani ho una prova importante. -E, no.

Well, I have to go back, the pain in the ass boy has to study. I have an important rehearsal tomorrow. -Hey, no.

Captions 43-44, La compagnia del cigno S2 EP 2 - Part 11

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And there are certain cases in which the singular la prova is used for sure. The dress rehearsal is called "la prova generale."

Non sono preparato, non ho tempo, non ho dimestichezza con i bambini. -Ma è perfetto, con l'occasione fai una prova generale.

I'm not prepared, I don't have time, I'm not familiar with children. -But it's perfect, with this opportunity you'll do a dress rehearsal.

Captions 57-59, Provaci ancora prof! S3EP2 Doppio imprevisto - Part 15

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But often, even when referring to one rehearsal, the plural is used. It's just what people say. 

Anche oggi delle prove durissime.

Even today, a very tough rehearsal.

Caption 1, La compagnia del cigno EP 5 - Part 6

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Non dovevate finire le prove alle sette?

Weren't you supposed to finish the rehearsal at seven?

Caption 60, La compagnia del cigno S1 EP3 - Part 9

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Ti va di cenare insieme dopo le prove?

Do you want to have dinner together after the rehearsal?

Caption 14, La compagnia del cigno EP 5 - Part 9

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In this next example, it's about a band. Fare le prove is literally, "to do/make the rehearsal/practice session."

Dove devi andare? A fare le prove per il concerto. -Mhh...

Where do you have to go? To practice for the concert. -Hmm...

Captions 29-30, Milena e Mattia L'incontro

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But what about when you are at home or in your practice room practicing? That is studiare, which means, in a general context, "to study."

Be', io no, grazie. Sto qui a studiare così domani non perdete tempo.

Well, not me, thanks. I'll stay here to practice, that way, tomorrow you won't waste time.

Captions 68-70, La compagnia del cigno EP 6 - Part 2

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Naturally, studiare also means studying for an exam. 

Tu pensa a studiare che devi dare l'esame.

You think about studying because you have to take the exam.

Caption 49, Com'è umano lui Film - Part 9

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But we need to be careful, because studiare can also mean someone is "going to school," in other words, attending a school of higher learning, such as a college or university, or even a high school, since not all kids go to high school.

Io non studio, non lavoro.

I don't study/I'm not going to school, I don't work.

Caption 24, Com'è umano lui Film - Part 10

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In the series La compagnia del cigno, the kids both practice their instruments and study from books, so we need to determine the context to know what is meant sometimes. 

Another way to translate "to practice" is esercitarsi. It can be a bit more specific to a certain passage or piece than studiare, which can be more general. 

Va bene, grazie. -Quanto ti devi esercitare ancora?

All right, thanks. -How much more do you have to practice?

Caption 35, La compagnia del cigno S1 EP1 - Part 7

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Thanks for reading. Hopefully, you have a better grasp of the words Italian musicians and actors (and others) use when they are practicing and rehearsing. There are other related words we will address in a future lesson. If you have comments or questions, we're all ears. Write to us at [email protected].

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Let's zoom in on the noun la fiducia and related words. Fiducia means "trust," "faith," or "confidence," depending on the context. And there are related adjective and verb forms, which we will discuss, as well. 

Devi andare alla polizia e costituirti spontaneamente. Abbi un po' di fiducia.

You have to go to the police and voluntarily turn yourself in. Have a little faith.

Captions 20-21, Provaci ancora prof! S2E5 Vita da cani - Part 20

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There are a few different verbs we use with this noun:

Avere (to have):

Avere fiducia in qualcuno / qualcosa (to have trust in someone/something).

Ho sempre avuto fiducia in te,

I have always had faith in you,

Caption 32, Moscati, l'amore che guarisce EP 2 - Part 19

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Dare (to give)

Dare fiducia a qualcuno (to give one's trust to someone, to trust someone). 

Infatti, mi sto occupando da tempo, in prima persona, di questo problema, però Lei deve darmi un po' di fiducia.

In fact, I have been working for a while now, personally, on this problem, but you have to trust me a little.

Captions 13-14, Imma Tataranni Sostituto procuratore S1 EP4 Maltempo - Part 19

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Perdere (to lose)

Perdere fiducia (to lose one's faith/trust).

Le parole bugiarde te [ti] fanno perde' [perdere] la fiducia.

Lying words make you lose trust.

Caption 43, Sposami EP 4 - Part 11

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Related adjective: fiducioso / fiduciosa (trusting, optimistic)

Lascia stare, che il mistero a volte ti può tirare brutti scherzi. Ma io sono fiduciosa.

Forget that. Sometimes mystery plays nasty tricks. But I am confident/hopeful.

Captions 15-17, Sei mai stata sulla Luna? film - Part 13

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Fiducioso can also mean "hopeful," because in this case, hope is based on trust. 

So instead of saying, "I hope you will be on time," I might say, "I trust you will be on time." 

Related verb: fidarsi (to trust)

In Italian, fidarsi is a reflexive verb.
This already makes it different from English.

1. Why fidarsi is reflexive:
Italian does not say “to trust” in the same direct way as English.
Instead of "I trust you," or "I trust in you," Italian often says:

Mi fido di te (literally: I entrust myself to you).

The reflexive pronoun (mi, ti, si, ci, vi) shows that trust is seen as an inner decision of the person who trusts, not just an action directed outward.

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2. Fidarsi di + person / thing

The verb normally takes the preposition di (of).

Negli ultimi tempi, quali sono state le donne a contatto con Dodo? Qualcuna di cui lui potesse fidarsi?

In recent times, who were the women in contact with Dodo? Someone he could trust [in]?

Captions 43-45, I Bastardi di Pizzofalcone S1 EP6 Buio - Part 17

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3. Why Italians can say just “Fidati.”
Italian often omits what is obvious from the context (the indirect object, for example).
    •    Fidati. = Trust me / Trust it / Trust.

Even if di me is not said, it is understood.

The following example has two instances of fidarsi. The first is in the imperative and we hear it all the time. The second is the first person singular, which is handy to recognize and remember.  

Non ci facciamo una figuraccia con questo Marsili, no? Fidati. -Mi fido di più se mi dici chi te l'ha detto. -Una persona molto affidabile.

We're not going to look like idiots with this Marsili, right? Trust me. -I trust [you] more if you tell me who told you. -A very reliable person.

Captions 50-53, Il Commissario Manara S1EP5 - Il Raggio Verde - Part 6

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Let's also note that the root fida is part of the adjective affidabile (reliable, trustworthy). The opposite is inaffidabile.

Che tu ci sei [sic: sia] rimasta male lo capisco, però che Paolo sia inaffidabile lo sapevamo.

I understand that you are upset, but we knew that Paolo was unreliable.

Captions 34-35, Com'è umano lui Film - Part 10

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And here's a first-person singular conjugation of fidarsi in the negative:  

Tanto ho capito, io il tipo l'ho inquadrato. Non mi fido.

Anyway I understand, I have that type figured out. I don't trust [him].

Captions 44-45, Il Commissario Manara S1EP1 - Un delitto perfetto - Part 8

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Note that in the negative imperative, the infinitive form of the verb is used (in the familiar second-person).

Libero, non ti fidare.

Libero, don't trust [him].

Caption 30, Un medico in famiglia Stagione 1 EP 4 Buon Compleanno Maria - Part 4

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Leaving out the object sounds quite natural in Italian, but can be confusing for learners who expect it.

In English, saying only “Trust.” sounds incomplete.

In Italian, Fidati. works as a complete sentence.

Thanks for reading. We hope you have a better understanding now of fiducia and related words. Write to us at [email protected].

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You might have heard Italians saying, "D'accordo" to mean "OK," or "all right," in your travels, in movies and TV shows, or elsewhere. Depending on the context and inflection, it can be posed as a question:

D'accordo?

All right?

Caption 29, Provaci ancora prof! S2E5 Vita da cani - Part 8

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 Or it can be a statement of agreement. 

D'accordo.

All right.

Caption 73, I Bastardi di Pizzofalcone S1EP2 Rabbia - Part 20

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There are various ways to use d'accordo and its main noun, accordo (agreement). We've mentioned some of them in this lesson. 

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But there is also a verb form, accordare. One common use of this verb is in music. It means "to tune," such as the strings of a musical instrument. 

Ah, perfetto. -Accordare la chitarra. -Sì.

Ah, perfect. -To tune a guitar. -Yes.

Caption 67, L'Eredità -Quiz TV La sfida dei sei. Puntata 2 - Part 10

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You might have heard Daniela use accordare when talking about "agreement" between various parts of speech. 

Chiaramente, se il soggetto è plurale il verbo va accordato anche alla terza persona plurale.

Clearly, if the subject is plural the verb has to agree in the third person plural, as well.

Captions 3-4, Corso di italiano con Daniela La forma passiva - Part 3

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It's very common to use mettersi d'accordo to come to an agreement or essere d'accordo to agree or to be in agreement:

Dai, ti sei messa d'accordo con Polio e Faber per farmi uno scherzo

Come on, you ganged up with Polio and Faber to play a joke on me,

Caption 15, Com'è umano lui Film - Part 10

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Sono d'accordo con te.

I agree with you.

Caption 9, I Bastardi di Pizzofalcone S1EP5 Misericordia - Part 25

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But it's also possible to use the reflexive verb accordarsi.

Gli sposi devono accordarsi su un piccolo particolare della formula, nessun problema.

The bride and groom have to come to an agreement about a little detail for their vows, no problem.

Caption 19, Sposami EP 5 - Part 21

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Finally, accordare can also mean "to grant." In this case, it's transitive.

Ma, veramente, commissario, ha preso un giorno di permesso. Ma gliel'ha accordato Lei, prima di partire.

But actually, Commissioner, she took a personal day. But you granted it to her, before leaving.

Captions 5-6, Il Commissario Manara S1EP6 - Reazione a Catena - Part 2

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Permesso accordato.

Permission granted.

Caption 106, Provaci ancora prof! S3 EP2 Doppio imprevisto - Part 20

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Thanks for reading. Send your questions and comments to [email protected] or use the comments section of the video you happen to be watching. 

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