A name widely known in Russia is actually better not to pronounce it out loud in Italy, since in this European country it is translated as “chicken”. “Therefore, before introducing yourself, think a few times,” the Russian traveler urged. We are talking about the popular Russian name of Greek origin Galina.
According to the advice published by a domestic traveler on her personal blog on Yandex.Zen, when meeting Italians, Galina is better to call herself the abbreviated name Galina, otherwise “the wonderful owners of this a beautiful Russian name will not be easy”: in Italian there is a consonant word Gallina, meaning the word “chicken”.
Help: Galina in Greek means “calmness, silence, serenity. You can also find the translation “calm”: in ancient Greek mythology there was a deity nereid – a nymph, similar to a mermaid, patronized a calm sea – Galena, another spelling – Galene.
In addition, the girl listed five more harmless words and phrases that sound indecent in Russian, but I did not recommend taking offense at the Italians who utter them to tourists. Let's keep the Russian accent when pronouncing:
- Proibito (proibito). Here is an explanation and translation of a compatriot: “A sign with this word can be found everywhere in Italy, and even representatives of the police or security can use it in your address. This is not because Italians love to swear (although they are), but because the word is popular and means “forbidden”.
- Autista (autista). “This is how drivers are called in Italy, and not people who are lagging behind in development, as it might seem to a Russian-speaking person,” the author noted. “I think it will be hard for the Italians if by mistake they turn to someone in Russia like that.”
- Tu puoi lasciare (tu sing lashare). It sounds like an insult to the Russian ear, but the Italians use the phrase to say in a given situation, simple and harmless – “you can leave it.”
- Cachi (kaki). “After I found out the meaning of this word, I lost the desire to buy some fruits in Italy, because “kaki” is just a persimmon. I’m afraid that it won’t do without laughter and jokes,” the traveler explained.
- Abbassato (abassato). “The funny sound of the Italian word in Russian has nothing to do with its meaning in Italy,” she assured. It turns out that this is an adjective that the inhabitants of Italy actively practice in their vocabulary, because. means “reduced”. Relevant, for example, for prices.
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