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Dialogue: Olive Oil Tasting
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Dialogue: Olive Oil Tasting

Ti ho promesso una vera chicca e l’avrai! Ti porto ad assaggiare l’olio nuovo!!

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Cher Hale
Apr 07, 2023
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Italian with Cher
Italian with Cher
Dialogue: Olive Oil Tasting
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I believe the only way you can truly learn a language is by using it in real life. (We also believe that having a chunk of pecorino romano in your house at all times is a must.)

To help you get that real-life experience, Carlotta — a native Italian speaker from Florence — wrote this dialogue for you.

It’s about a female tourist who is meeting her native Italian friend at an olive oil tasting. They talk about the food, catch up, and make some plans. Neurosurgeons are involved.

Unlike some other dialogues made for students, this one is full of language that Italians use every day. What’s more, it doesn’t simplify language.

If you’re a beginner, you’ll notice that a lot of it is complex, but that doesn’t mean you can’t use it to learn. Don’t let the grammar or the big words intimidate you.

At the end of the dialogue, you’ll see that I’ve broken down other resources to review based on your level.

Finally, you’ll notice that the translation from Italian to English is not literal. That’s on purpose because there are words / phrases that don’t directly translate in the same way.

If you have questions about this, let me know in the comments below.

AUDIO

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This audio has been recorded by two native Italian speakers.


DIALOGUE

*This is written from the perspective of a female.

(1) You: (Waving your hand) Ciao! Eccoti qua, che bello!! – Hi! There you are, how lovely!

(2) Giulia: Ciao tesoro! Scusa, ho tardato un po’ ma avevo perso le chiavi di casa! – Ciao dear! Sorry, I was a bit late, but I lost the keys to my house.

(3) You: Non ti preoccupare! Allora?! Dove mi porti? Sto morendo di fame! – Don’t worry! So?! Where are you taking me? I’m dying of hunger!

(4) Giulia: Ti ho promesso una vera chicca e l’avrai! Ti porto ad assaggiare l’olio nuovo!! – I promised you a real treat and you will have it! I am bringing you to taste new oil.

(5) You: Olio nuovo? Non l’ho mai sentito dire… – New oil? I’ve never tried it/heard of it.

(6) Giulia: Sentirai che bontà… (Smiling at you) – You’ll see how good it is!

The two girls walk till they reach a nice and tiny osteria.

(7) Giulia: Eccoci Roberto, siamo pronte! Puoi partire con gli assaggi! – We’re here Roberto, we’re ready! You can start with the tastings.

(8) You: Assaggi? – Tastings?

(9) Giulia: Sì, ci faranno degustare tipi diversi di olio d’oliva ognuno accompagnato da un cibo che ne esalta le qualità ed il sapore! – Yes, we are tasting different types of olive oil, paired with food that enhances the quality and the taste!

(10) You: Non sapevo che ci fossero diversi tipo di olio di oliva! Pensavo ne esistesse solo uno!! L’olio d’oliva!! – I didn’t know that there were (are) different types of olive oil! I thought that there was just one! Olive oil!

The Oste comes with two small rounded glasses and a big bowl of fresh diced vegetables.

(11) Oste: Allora bambine questo è olio nuovo, dell’ultimo raccolto! Attente che pizzica!! – OK girls (babes) this is new oil, from the latest crop. Be careful, it stings

(NB fresh oil has a very spicy taste and stings the mouth)

(12) You: Cosa dovrei fare con tutte queste verdure?? – What should I do with all these vegetables?

(13) Giulia: IL PINZIMONIO! Inzuppi la verdura nella coppetta con l’olio e se vuoi aggiungi anche sale, pepe e una goccia d’aceto! Io lo preferisco semplice però. Adoro il sapore dell’olio appena spremuto, mi ricorda l’infanzia! – The crudite of vegetables! Dunk the vegetables into the bowl with the oil, and if you want to, add salt, pepper and a drop of vinegar! However, I prefer it plain. I love the freshly pressed oil taste, it reminds me of childhood!

(14) You: (Crunching) Mmmm….ma sembra piccante! – Mmm, but it seems spicy!

(15) Giulia: Hai sentito? Io lo adoro!! A proposito di piccante…. (while she points at you with a celery stalk) cosa è successo ieri sera al bar dopo che me ne sono andata? – You feel it? I love that! Speaking of spicy, what happened yesterday evening at the bar after I left?

(16) You: Assolutamente niente! Ho bevuto un altro buonissimo spritz e me ne sono andata a casa…. – Absolutely nothing! I drank another delicious spritz and I went home.

(17) Giulia: E basta…? – That’s it?

(18) You: Eeee…..ho scambiato due chiacchiere con quel bel dottorino seduto accanto a noi al bancone… – Mmm, I also chatted with that beautiful doctor who was sitting next to us at the bar.

(19) Giulia: AH!! È UN DOTTORE ADDIRITTURA! E non mi dici niente? – Oh! And really he’s a doctor! And you didn’t tell me anything?

(20) You: Precisamente è un neurochirurgo e sta per completare la sua specializzazione a Perugia. – He’s actually a neurosurgeon and he’s about to finish his specialization in Perugia.

The oste comes again bringing a huge slice of warm schiacciata bread, some plain bread and three little bottles of oil.

(21) Giulia: Grazie Roberto! (Turning to you) Questo è olio della bassa umbria, non esattamente il mio preferito, ma sempre ottimo! – Thank you, Roberto. This is the oil from the lower part of Umbria, it’s not exactly my favorite but it’s still good!

(22) You: Ah perché tu senti la differenza? Per me è tutto buonissimo!! – Oh, because you can taste a difference? For me, it’s all good!

(23) Giulia: Sì, certo. Quello del Sud per esempio, secondo me,  è molto “unto”, non mi piace a crudo, mentre è ottimo per cucinare; invece preferisco quello toscano è leggero e lo uso spesso sulle insalate oppure per il pinzimonio….anche sul pesce! Ma torniamo a noi…. – Yes of course. [Oil] from the south, for example, for me, is very oily, and I don’t like it alone, but it is great for cooking. Instead I prefer the oil from Tuscany that is light and I use often for salads or for crudite of vegetables, and also on fish! But, let’s return to us…

(24) You: Mi ha chiesto di uscire! Ed il bello è che lui studia a Perugia ma è originario di Bologna e non conosce Orvieto! Ha chiesto a me di scegliere un posto dove andare!! Sono nel panico, mi devi aiutare! Voglio conquistarlo! – He asked me out! And the nice thing is that he studies in Perugia but is originally from Bologna and he doesn’t know Orvieto very well. He asked me to chose a place to go. I am panicking, you have to help me! I want to win him over!

(25) Giulia: Mmm….fammi pensare. Potreste andare alla fattoria degli Usignoli per un aperitivo al tramonto! Il vino è ottimo e la vista è mozzafiato! – Hmm, let me think. You guys could go to the farm Usignoli for an aperitivo at sunset. The wine is great and the view is breathtaking!

(26) You: Sembra molto carino! E dove si trova? – It seems really nice. Where is it?

(27) Giulia: Eh, forse è un po’ lontano….dovreste prendere la macchina! – Hm, maybe it’s a bit far, you guys would have to take the car.

(28) You: Una cosa più semplice? Dove possiamo andare a piedi? – Something easier? Where we can go by foot?

(29) Giulia: Ecco, ho trovato! Potresti prenotare una visita guidata della Orvieto sotterranea! E del pozzo di San Patrizio! Sono stupendi e molto suggestivi! – Oh, I know! You could reserve a guided tour of underground Orvieto. And the well of San Patrizio. They are amazing and very impressive.

(30) You: Orvieto underground intendi? Ho letto qualcosa al riguardo su Facebook, ma non ho approfondito….. – Orvieto underground, you mean? I read something about it on Facebook, but I don’t know much about it.

(31) Giulia: Sì, esattamente! È un’attività perfetta per un “forestiero” e sarà un’esperienza indimenticabile anche per te! Pensa c’è un’intera città sotterranea! – Yes, exactly! It’s a perfect activity for a “foreigner” and will be unforgettable for you too! Think about it, there is a whole city underground!

(32) You: Oddio, e se mi viene un attacco di claustrofobia? – Oh geez, and if I get claustrophobia?

(33) Giulia: Ricorda: Sei con un dottore, no?! – Remember, he is a doctor!

(Smiling and laughing together…)


Absolute Beginner Resources to Review

— Italian Word Speed Dates: Allora – For part #3

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Italian Word Speed Dates: Allora
Listen now (11 min) | Note: This episode is from the archives of the 30 Minute Italian Podcast. All of the links mentioned regarding The Iceberg Project in the episode are no longer active. If you have a question about where to find a resource, read the show notes below or leave a comment so I can help you find something similar…
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9 years ago · Cher Hale

— How to Talk About What You Like, Love, or Really Enjoy in Italian – For parts #13 and #15

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How to Talk About What You Like, Love or Really Enjoy in Italian
Note: This article is from The Iceberg Project archives. It was written by a previous contributor - Hannah Jackel. Hannah spent nine lovely months in Viterbo, Italy studying abroad, where she fell in love with the Italian language, culture and food…
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3 years ago · Cher Hale

Upper Beginner Resources to Review

— Italian Word Speed Dates: Bastare, Mancare, and Piacere – From part #17

Italian with Cher
Italian Word Speed Dates: Bastare, Mancare and Piacere
Listen now (16 min) | Note: This episode is from the archives of the 30 Minute Italian Podcast. All of the links mentioned regarding The Iceberg Project in the episode are no longer active. If you have a question about where to find a resource, leave a comment and I can help you find something similar…
Listen now
10 years ago · Cher Hale

Intermediate Resources to Review

— How to Use the Trapassato Prossimo in Italian – From “avevo perso”

Italian with Cher
How to Use the Trapassato Prossimo in Italian
Listen now (9 min) | Note: This episode is from the archives of the 30 Minute Italian Podcast. All of the links mentioned regarding The Iceberg Project in the episode are no longer active. If you have a question about where to find a resource, leave a comment and I can help you find something similar…
Listen now
10 years ago · Cher Hale

— Italian Word Speed Dates: Appena, Addirittura, Comunque, and Quindi – From part #19

Italian with Cher
Italian Word Speed Dates: Appena, Addirittura, Comunque and Quindi
Round #1: Appena In the dictionary, appena means just, only, or barely. As in “I just got from the store and you want me to go back again because you forgot toothpaste!?” Gli esempi Siamo appena tornati da cena con mia zia e la sua amica che parlava appena un po’ d’italiano…
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3 years ago · 2 likes · Cher Hale

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With a little help from my Italian friends, I share conversational phrases that I learn from real conversations, TV, and books. Come learn with me :)
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Dialogue: Olive Oil Tasting
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Andrea Walker's avatar
Andrea Walker
Apr 8, 2023

Mi piace molto questo dialogo! E molto utile di leggere una conversazione casuale tra amiche.

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