mandare baci
The English phrase "blow kisses" is translated into Italian as mandare baci.
Mandare baci is used to describe the physical gesture of kissing the air and moving your hand toward someone to show affection. It is also used more broadly to describe sending affection through a medium such as a letter or a screen.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb mandare (to send) and the noun baci (kisses).
Which one should you use?
While mandare baci is the general phrase, you can use mandare un bacio volante to specifically describe the physical action of a "flying kiss". Additionally, you can use the informal expressions Baci volanti (flying kisses) or Mandare dei baci (to send kisses).
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are blowing only a single kiss, you use the singular form mandare un bacio instead of the plural mandare baci.
Did you know?
- The verb mandare used in this phrase shares an unexpected ancestor with the English word 'command', as both stem from the Latin 'mandāre'.
- The adjective volante in bacio volante literally means 'flying' or 'fluttering', a term also used in Italian to describe a 'flying' buttress in architecture.
- In some Italian contexts, particularly when describing an energetic or sudden gesture, people use the verb lanciare instead of mandare.
Examples in context
- Ciao, tesoro! Mandami un bacio volante dalla spiaggia!Hello, darling! Send me a flying kiss from the beach!
- La bambina continua a mandare baci a sua mamma.The little girl keeps blowing kisses to her mom.
- L'attrice ha iniziato a mandare baci al pubblico.The actress started blowing kisses to the audience.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mandare, CC BY-SA 4.0.
