Skip to content
fluentbyear
🇮🇹 Italian · Fluency Level 1

PART 2 · LESSON 18 OF 30 · 30 MINUTES

Nonna's Old Jokes

Nonna phones Naples to hear Ciro's jokes, dismisses them, and tells one of her own from the old days: te la racconto io, ai miei tempi, ridevamo di niente.

Audio instruction: English

Report a problem with this lesson

This lesson needs a subscription.

The first 2 lessons of each level are free. One subscription unlocks every other lesson, in the app and on the website.

See the plans

Already subscribed? Sign in. Or listen to lesson 1 for free.

THE STORY

Ciro's family flat in Naples, New Year's evening, Laura on the phone with Nonna Teresa in Fontelupo.

Flashcards

The words and phrases of this lesson, one card each. Best after you’ve listened.

Create your account.

Create a free account and confirm your email to keep the cards you like and the decks you make.

Already have an account? Sign in

Words and phrases

The lesson is for your ears. Open this afterwards, to see what you learned.
Ciro ti ha raccontato le sue barzellette?CHEE-roh tee ah rahk-kohn-TAH-toh leh SOO-eh bar-dzehl-LEHT-tehHas Ciro told you his jokes? To a friend.
Sì, Nonna. Quella del pane di ieri.see, NOHN-nah, KWEHL-lah dehl PAH-neh dee YEH-reeYes, Nonna. The one about yesterday's bread.
Quella è vecchia! Te la racconto io, una vera.KWEHL-lah eh VEHK-kyah, teh lah rahk-KOHN-toh EE-oh, OO-nah VEH-rahThat one's old! I'll tell you one, a real one. To a friend.
Dai, Nonna. Sono pronta.dye, NOHN-nah, SOH-noh PROHN-tahGo on, Nonna. I'm ready. A woman speaking.
Ai miei tempi ridevamo di niente. Bastava poco.eye MYEH-ee TEHM-pee ree-deh-VAH-moh dee NYEHN-teh, bahs-TAH-vah POH-kohIn my day we laughed at nothing. It took little.
E la barzelletta?eh lah bar-dzehl-LEHT-tahAnd the joke?
Non me la ricordo più. Ma era bellissima!nohn meh lah ree-KOR-doh pyoo, mah EH-rah behl-LEES-see-mahI don't remember it any more. But it was beautiful!
Nonna, questa sì che fa ridere!NOHN-nah, KWEHS-tah see keh fah REE-deh-rehNonna, now that is funny!