Mi manca l'Italia
The English phrase "I miss italy" is expressed in Italian as Mi manca l'Italia.
This phrase is used by a person to express sadness because they are no longer in Italy or are separated from it.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, Mi manca l'Italia translates to "Italy is missing to me". This is because the verb mancare functions such that the thing being missed serves as the subject of the sentence.
Which one should you use?
You can use more intense or figurative versions in casual speech, such as Mi manca l'Italia da impazzire (I miss Italy like crazy), Mi manca l'Italia un sacco (I miss Italy loads) or Mi manca l'Italia come il sole in inverno (I miss Italy like the sun in winter).
How does it change in a sentence?
Because the thing being missed acts as the subject, the verb must agree with it. If you miss something plural, you must change manca to mancano. For example, Mi mancano le colline italiane (I miss the Italian hills).
Did you know?
- If an Italian says Manco il cane, they are using a derivative of the same root as mancare to say 'not even the dog' would do it, meaning something is highly unlikely.
- In Italian, mancare is used not just for emotional longing, but also to say someone is 'missing' in the sense of being absent from a meeting or appointment.
- Because mancare describes a lack or a gap, the phrase Mi manca l'Italia treats the country as if it were a physical piece of the speaker that has been removed.
Examples in context
- Mi manca l'Italia.I miss Italy.This sentence is useful for stating that you miss Italy using the form Mi manca l'Italia.Tatoeba #1301484 by Guybrush88, translation #1301485 by CN
- Mi manca l'Italia così tanto!I miss Italy so much!
- Sento davvero la mancanza dell'Italia e vorrei tornarci presto.I really miss Italy and I would like to go back soon.
- Ho tanta nostalgia dell'Italia, dei suoi colori e dei suoi sapori.I have so much nostalgia for Italy, its colors, and its flavors.
- Mi manca l'Italia da impazzire, non vedo l'ora di tornarci!I miss Italy like crazy, I can't wait to go back!
- Mi manca l'Italia un sacco, vorrei essere di nuovo là a godermi il cibo delizioso!I miss Italy loads, I wish I were there again enjoying the delicious food!
- Mi manca l'Italia come il sole in inverno, è insostituibile.I miss Italy like the sun in winter, it is irreplaceable.
- Mi manca l'Italia, i suoi colori e il sole.I miss Italy, its colors and the sun.
- Ogni giorno mi manca l'Italia.Every day I miss Italy.
Example conversation
Giulia and Francesco are talking about their time living abroad.
- GiuliaSiamo qui da un anno, ma mi manca l'Italia.We have been here for a year, but I miss Italy.
- FrancescoHai ragione, Giulia, lo sento anch'io.You are right, Giulia, I feel it too.
- GiuliaVorrei tornare a trovarla presto.I would like to go back to visit it soon.
- FrancescoOrganizziamo un viaggio per l'estate!Let's organize a trip for the summer!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
