While the direct translation of today's word is quite obvious – 'patience' – here's a look at the different ways it can be used.
Similar to forza, it's a word you'd use to comfort and encourage those going through difficult times (hear it pronounced here).
You could use it alone in response to an Italian friend's description of the giornataccia she's just had, particularly if she's reaching the end of her tether.
While in English we probably wouldn't just say "patience" to someone in that situation, it's fairly common to do so in Italian – and doesn't sound as unsympathetic as you might think.
It's effectively shorthand for something like:
- Devi avere pazienza
- Literally 'you'll have to have patience"
or
- Dobbiamo affrontare questo momento con pazienza e determinazione.
- We'll need a patience and determination to deal with this situation.
Your Italian friends might say it themselves after listing a few complaints, but resigning themselves to not taking any action:
- Ma, vabbè, un po' di pazienza.
(And you'll know you're really becoming Italian when you mutter this to yourself after your latest tangle with Italian bureaucracy.)
You may hear pazienza requested like this:
- Abbi pazienza.
- Bear with me.
As anyone who has queued at the Italian post office will know, patience is definitely a virtue in Italy in all sorts of circumstances.
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