Conversation in Italian, level C1
Sunday lunch in Naples
Your friend's mother is setting down the fourth course.
Watch the video, 54 secondsUn altro po’ di parmigiana? Non fare complimenti, eh!
A little more parmigiana? Do not stand on ceremony!
È squisita, ma se ne mangiassi ancora, non arriverei al dolce.
It is delicious, but if I had any more, I would not make it to dessert.
Ah, quindi il posto per il dolce c’è! Te ne metto solo un pochino.
Ah, so there is room for dessert! I will give you just a little.
Your turn.
Pause and work out how to refuse politely but firmly.
Scortese? Scortese è lasciarla nel piatto! Te la incarto, e ci metto pure le polpette.
Rude? Leaving it on the plate is rude! I will wrap it up and add the meatballs too.
Non vorrei softens a polite refusal.
Non vorrei sembrarle scortese, ma sono davvero pieno.
I would not want to seem rude, but I really am full.
Tip
Non fare complimenti means "Do not stand on ceremony." Here she is inviting you to help yourself.
How would you have turned down the parmigiana? Answer in Italian in the comments.
