bel lavoro
The Italian phrase for "nice work" is bel lavoro.
bel lavoro is used as an exclamation to commend someone's performance or the quality of a completed task. You can also use phrases like Hai fatto un lavoro fantastico to say "You did a fantastic job", Hai fatto un gran bel lavoro to say "You did a great job" or Complimenti, sei stato/a fantastico/a to convey that someone has been fantastic.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of bel, which is a truncated form of bello meaning beautiful or nice and lavoro meaning work.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ottimo lavoro is a more formal and slightly more emphatic way to praise someone's work in a professional setting.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Italian, bravo is used to compliment a man, while brava is used for a woman.
Did you know?
- While bel lavoro is a compliment, the phrase bel lavoro! can be used sarcastically to mean 'nice one' when someone makes a clumsy mistake.
- The word bravo does not mean 'brave' in Italian, but is instead the standard way to say 'well done' to a person.
- In Italy, the compliment bravo is often shouted from the audience at the end of an opera or play to acknowledge 'nice work' by the performers.
Examples in context
- Bel lavoro, Jim.Nice work, Jim.This sentence shows how to use bel lavoro to praise Jim.Tatoeba #6320106 by Guybrush88, translation #5817789 by OsoHombre
- Complimenti per il tuo ottimo lavoro sulla presentazione aziendale!Congratulations on your excellent work on the company presentation!
- Il tuo rapporto di analisi è eccellente. Hai fatto un lavoro fantastico!Your analysis report is excellent. You did a fantastic job!
- Hai vinto la partita! Sei bravo!You won the game! You're great!
- La tua torta è buonissima! Hai fatto un gran bel lavoro!Your cake is delicious! You did a great job!
- Complimenti per la tua performance a teatro. Sei stata fantastica!Congratulations on your theater performance. You were fantastic!
- Bel lavoro con la presentazione!Nice work with the presentation!
Example conversation
Matteo and Sofia are reviewing a finished project.
- MatteoSofia, guarda il risultato finale.Sofia, look at the final result.
- SofiaÈ venuto molto bene!It turned out very well!
- MatteoSì, bel lavoro!Yes, nice work!
- SofiaGrazie mille, Matteo.Thank you very much, Matteo.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
