Roman · Lazio
Rome
The Roman dialect, word by word: what it means, where it comes from and who checks it. Meanings are in English where we have them, otherwise in Italian.
The dictionary
The words of Rome
The list shows the English meaning where we have it; each word page is in Italian.
413 words, from A to Z
How to read it
Reading the Roman
nd → nn
Where Italian has «nd», Roman has «nn»: quanno, when.
l → r
An «l» before a consonant becomes «r»: sortire, to go out; sarviette, napkins.
gli → j
Instead of Italian «gli» there is a «j», read like the «y» in «yes»: fijo, son.
rr → r
The double r becomes single: guèra, war.
parlà
Verbs drop the final «-re» and the stress moves to the last vowel: parlà, to speak; vedé, to see.
Source: Wikipedia · Dialetto romanesco (CC BY-SA)
Words with a story
The stories of Rome
In English here; the word page, with its source, is in Italian.
Roman · Rome
caciaraconfusion, racket
Cheerful, noisy confusion. Whoever makes it is a caciarone.
Read the storyRoman · Rome
sòlarip-off
Written with the accent, so it isn't confused with «sola» (alone).
Read the storyRoman · Rome
abbioccodrowsiness after eating
The drowsiness after a big lunch.
Read the storyRoman · Rome
grattacheccashaved ice with syrup
Hand-shaved ice with syrup from Rome's kiosks. Not the same as Sicilian granita.
Read the storyThe keepers
The keepers of Rome
Three people from the town who really speak the dialect. They confirm the words, correct them and add the missing ones. Their name stays on this page, only if they want.
The supporter
This bell tower is looking for a supporter
A shop, a bakery or an association from Rome: a single sign per bell tower, here, with no pop-up ads.
Coming after the site opens: if you are interested, write to us.
Nearby bell towers
The whole page in Italian
Phrasebook, quiz, «si dice così?» and the poster are on the Italian page of Roma.