Cranford — Page 5

English → It CHAPTER I. Level 7/10

When Mrs Forrester, for instance, gave a party in her baby-house of a dwelling, and the little maiden disturbed the ladies on the sofa by a request that she might get the tea-tray out from underneath, everyone took this novel proceeding as the most natural thing in the world, and talked on about household forms and ceremonies as if we all believed that our hostess had a regular servants' hall, second table, with housekeeper and steward, instead of the one little charity-school maiden, whose short ruddy arms could never have been strong enough to carry the tray upstairs, if she had not been assisted in private by her mistress, who now sat in state, pretending not to know what cakes were sent up, though she knew, and we knew, and she knew that we knew, and we knew that she knew that we knew, she had been busy all the morning making tea-bread and sponge-cakes.

Quando la signora Forrester, per esempio, dava un ricevimento nella sua abitazione grande come una casa di bambole, e la piccola domestica disturbava le signore sul divano chiedendo il permesso di tirare fuori il vassoio del tè da sotto, tutti prendevano questa strana procedura come la cosa più naturale del mondo, e continuavano a parlare di usi e cerimonie domestiche come se credessimo tutti che la nostra ospite avesse una regolare sala della servitù, con tavola secondaria, governante e maggiordomo, invece dell'unica piccola domestica della scuola di carità, le cui corte braccia rubiconde non sarebbero mai state abbastanza forti da portare il vassoio al piano di sopra, se non fosse stata aiutata in privato dalla sua padrona, che ora sedeva in pompa magna, fingendo di non sapere quali dolci fossero stati portati su, benché lei sapesse, e noi sapessimo, e lei sapesse che noi sapevamo, e noi sapessimo che lei sapeva che noi sapevamo, che era stata indaffarata tutta la mattina a fare pane da tè e pan di Spagna.

There were one or two consequences arising from this general but unacknowledged poverty, and this very much acknowledged gentility, which were not amiss, and which might be introduced into many circles of society to their great improvement.

Vi erano una o due conseguenze derivanti da questa povertà generale ma non riconosciuta, e da questa gentiluomeria assai riconosciuta, che non erano affatto negative, e che avrebbero potuto essere introdotte in molti circoli della società con grande beneficio per loro.

For instance, the inhabitants of Cranford kept early hours, and clattered home in their pattens, under the guidance of a lantern-bearer, about nine o'clock at night; and the whole town was abed and asleep by half-past ten.

Per esempio, gli abitanti di Cranford andavano a letto presto, e tornavano a casa rumorosamente con i loro zoccoli, guidati da un portatore di lanterna, verso le nove di sera; e l'intera città era a letto e addormentata entro le dieci e mezza.

Vocabulary

Quando: KWAHN-doh — Conjunction meaning 'when', introducing temporal clauses
la: lah — Definite article 'the' for feminine singular nouns
signora: see-NYOH-rah — Respectful title for a woman, meaning 'Mrs.' or 'madam'
per: pehr — Preposition meaning 'for', 'by', or 'through'
esempio: eh-ZEHM-pyoh — Noun meaning 'example'; used in 'per esempio' (for example)
dava: DAH-vah — Imperfect tense of 'dare'; she/he was giving
un: oon — Indefinite article 'a' or 'an' for masculine nouns
ricevimento: ree-cheh-vee-MEHN-toh — A reception or formal gathering hosted at home
nella: NEHL-lah — Contraction of 'in' and 'la', meaning 'in the'
sua: SOO-ah — Possessive adjective meaning 'her', 'his', or 'its'
abitazione: ah-bee-tah-TSYOH-neh — A dwelling or residence where someone lives
grande: GRAHN-deh — Adjective meaning 'large', 'big', or 'great'
come: KOH-meh — Conjunction or adverb meaning 'as', 'like', or 'how'
una: OO-nah — Indefinite article 'a' or 'an' for feminine nouns
casa: KAH-zah — Noun meaning 'house' or 'home'
di: dee — Preposition meaning 'of', 'from', or 'about'
bambole: BAHM-boh-leh — Plural noun meaning 'dolls'; toys shaped like people
e: eh — Conjunction meaning 'and', connecting words or clauses
piccola: PEEK-koh-lah — Adjective meaning 'small' or 'little' for feminine nouns
domestica: doh-MEHS-tee-kah — A female domestic servant or housemaid
disturbava: dees-toor-BAH-vah — Imperfect tense of 'disturbare'; she was disturbing or bothering
le: leh — Definite article 'the' for feminine plural nouns
signore: see-NYOH-reh — Plural of 'signora'; ladies or women of standing
sul: sool — Contraction of 'su' and 'il', meaning 'on the'
divano: dee-VAH-noh — A sofa or couch used for sitting in a living room
chiedendo: kyeh-DEHN-doh — Gerund of 'chiedere'; asking or requesting something
il: eel — Definite article 'the' for masculine singular nouns
permesso: pehr-MEHS-soh — Permission or leave to do something
tirare: tee-RAH-reh — Infinitive verb meaning 'to pull' or 'to draw'
fuori: FWOH-ree — Adverb or preposition meaning 'outside' or 'out'
vassoio: vahs-SOY-oh — A tray used for carrying food or drinks
del: dehl — Contraction of 'di' and 'il', meaning 'of the'
tè: teh — The beverage tea, often served at afternoon gatherings
da: dah — Preposition meaning 'from', 'by', or 'since'
sotto: SOHT-toh — Preposition or adverb meaning 'under' or 'below'
tutti: TOOT-tee — Pronoun or adjective meaning 'everyone' or 'all'
prendevano: prehn-DEH-vah-noh — Imperfect tense of 'prendere'; they were taking or treating
questa: KWEHS-tah — Demonstrative adjective meaning 'this' for feminine nouns
strana: STRAH-nah — Adjective meaning 'strange' or 'odd', feminine form
procedura: proh-cheh-DOO-rah — A procedure or established method of doing something
cosa: KOH-zah — Noun meaning 'thing'; also used in questions as 'what'
più: pyoo — Adverb meaning 'more' or 'most' in comparisons
naturale: nah-too-RAH-leh — Adjective meaning 'natural' or 'normal', expected behavior
mondo: MOHN-doh — Noun meaning 'world'; used in expressions like 'del mondo'
continuavano: kon-tee-NWAH-vah-noh — Imperfect tense; they continued or kept on doing something
a: ah — Preposition meaning 'to', 'at', or 'in'
parlare: pahr-LAH-reh — Infinitive verb meaning 'to speak' or 'to talk'
usi: OO-zee — Plural noun meaning 'customs', 'habits', or 'usages'
cerimonie: cheh-ree-MOH-nyeh — Plural noun meaning 'ceremonies' or 'formalities'
domestiche: doh-MEHS-tee-keh — Feminine plural adjective meaning 'domestic' or 'household'
se: seh — Conjunction meaning 'if' or 'whether' in conditionals
credessimo: kreh-DEHS-see-moh — Imperfect subjunctive of 'credere'; as if we believed
che: keh — Conjunction meaning 'that', 'who', or 'which'
nostra: NOHS-trah — Possessive adjective meaning 'our' for feminine nouns
ospite: OHS-pee-teh — A guest or host; the person receiving or being received
avesse: ah-VEHS-seh — Imperfect subjunctive of 'avere'; as if she had
regolare: reh-goh-LAH-reh — Adjective meaning 'regular', 'proper', or 'standard'
sala: SAH-lah — A room or hall, often a living or dining room
della: DEHL-lah — Contraction of 'di' and 'la', meaning 'of the'
servitù: sehr-vee-TOO — Collective noun meaning 'domestic staff' or 'servants'
con: kon — Preposition meaning 'with', indicating accompaniment
tavola: TAH-voh-lah — A table, especially a dining or working table
secondaria: seh-kon-DAH-ryah — Adjective meaning 'secondary' or 'subordinate', feminine form
governante: goh-vehr-NAHN-teh — A housekeeper or governess managing household affairs
maggiordomo: mahd-jor-DOH-moh — A butler or head manservant overseeing household staff
invece: een-VEH-cheh — Adverb meaning 'instead' or 'on the contrary'
dell': dehl — Contraction of 'di' and 'l'', meaning 'of the'
unica: OO-nee-kah — Adjective meaning 'only' or 'sole', feminine singular form
scuola: SKWOH-lah — A school or educational institution
carità: kah-ree-TAH — Charity or benevolence; acts of kindness for the poor
cui: kwee — Relative pronoun meaning 'whose', 'whom', or 'which'
corte: KOR-teh — Short; also means 'court'; here likely 'short' (adjective)
braccia: BRAH-chah — Plural of 'braccio'; arms, the limbs of the body
rubiconde: roo-bee-KON-deh — Adjective meaning 'ruddy' or 'red-cheeked', feminine plural
non: non — Negation adverb meaning 'not', used before verbs
sarebbero: sah-REHB-beh-roh — Conditional of 'essere'; they would be
mai: my — Adverb meaning 'never' or 'ever', depending on context
state: STAH-teh — Past participle plural feminine of 'essere'; been
abbastanza: ahb-bahs-TAHN-tsah — Adverb meaning 'enough' or 'sufficiently'
forti: FOR-tee — Adjective plural meaning 'strong' or 'powerful'
portare: por-TAH-reh — Infinitive verb meaning 'to carry' or 'to bring'
al: ahl — Contraction of 'a' and 'il', meaning 'to the'
piano: PYAH-noh — A floor or story of a building; also means 'soft'
sopra: SOH-prah — Preposition or adverb meaning 'above', 'over', or 'upstairs'
fosse: FOHS-seh — Imperfect subjunctive of 'essere'; if she/he had been
stata: STAH-tah — Past participle feminine of 'essere'; been (feminine subject)
aiutata: ah-yoo-TAH-tah — Past participle of 'aiutare'; helped (feminine subject)
in: een — Preposition meaning 'in', 'into', or 'at'
privato: pree-VAH-toh — Adjective meaning 'private'; in private, not publicly
dalla: DAHL-lah — Contraction of 'da' and 'la', meaning 'by the' or 'from the'
padrona: pah-DROH-nah — The mistress or female owner of a household
ora: OH-rah — Adverb meaning 'now'; also noun meaning 'hour'
sedeva: seh-DEH-vah — Imperfect of 'sedere'; she was sitting or seated
pompa: POHM-pah — Pomp or ceremony; splendor in display or behavior
fingendo: feen-JEHN-doh — Gerund of 'fingere'; pretending or feigning something
sapere: sah-PEH-reh — Infinitive verb meaning 'to know' facts or information
quali: KWAH-lee — Interrogative or relative pronoun meaning 'which' or 'what'
dolci: DOHL-chee — Plural noun meaning 'sweets', 'cakes', or 'desserts'
fossero: FOHS-seh-roh — Imperfect subjunctive of 'essere'; as if they had been
stati: STAH-tee — Past participle masculine plural of 'essere'; been
portati: por-TAH-tee — Past participle masculine plural of 'portare'; brought up
su: soo — Preposition or adverb meaning 'up', 'on', or 'upstairs'
benché: behn-KEH — Conjunction meaning 'although' or 'even though'
lei: lay — Personal pronoun meaning 'she' or formal 'you'
sapesse: sah-PEHS-seh — Imperfect subjunctive of 'sapere'; even though she knew
noi: noy — Personal pronoun meaning 'we' or 'us'
sapessimo: sah-PEHS-see-moh — Imperfect subjunctive of 'sapere'; even though we knew
sapevamo: sah-peh-VAH-moh — Imperfect indicative of 'sapere'; we knew
sapeva: sah-PEH-vah — Imperfect of 'sapere'; she/he knew something
era: EH-rah — Imperfect of 'essere'; she/he/it was
indaffarata: een-dahf-fah-RAH-tah — Adjective meaning 'busy' or 'occupied', feminine form
tutta: TOOT-tah — Adjective meaning 'all' or 'the whole', feminine singular
mattina: maht-TEE-nah — Noun meaning 'morning', the early part of the day
fare: FAH-reh — Infinitive verb meaning 'to do' or 'to make'
pane: PAH-neh — Noun meaning 'bread', a basic food staple
pan: pahn — Shortened form of 'pane'; bread, used in compound terms
Spagna: SPAH-nyah — Italy's name for Spain; 'pan di Spagna' is sponge cake
Vi: vee — Pronoun or adverb meaning 'there' or 'you' (plural)
erano: EH-rah-noh — Imperfect of 'essere'; there were or they were
o: oh — Conjunction meaning 'or', presenting alternatives
due: DOO-eh — Number meaning 'two'
conseguenze: kon-seh-GWEHN-tseh — Plural noun meaning 'consequences' or 'results'
derivanti: deh-ree-VAHN-tee — Present participle of 'derivare'; arising or deriving from
povertà: poh-vehr-TAH — Noun meaning 'poverty' or 'lack of wealth'
generale: jeh-neh-RAH-leh — Adjective meaning 'general' or 'widespread'
ma: mah — Conjunction meaning 'but', introducing a contrast
riconosciuta: ree-koh-noh-SHOO-tah — Past participle of 'riconoscere'; recognized or acknowledged
assai: ahs-SAH-ee — Adverb meaning 'very', 'quite', or 'rather' (literary)
affatto: ahf-FAHT-toh — Adverb meaning 'at all'; 'non...affatto' means 'not at all'
negative: neh-gah-TEE-veh — Adjective meaning 'negative' or 'harmful', feminine plural
avrebbero: ahv-REHB-beh-roh — Conditional of 'avere'; they would have
potuto: poh-TOO-toh — Past participle of 'potere'; been able to, could have
essere: EHS-seh-reh — Infinitive verb meaning 'to be'; fundamental auxiliary verb
introdotte: een-troh-DOHT-teh — Past participle feminine plural of 'introdurre'; introduced
molti: MOHL-tee — Adjective or pronoun meaning 'many' or 'a lot of'
circoli: CHEER-koh-lee — Plural noun meaning 'circles' or social clubs and groups
società: Noun meaning 'society' or 'social circles'
beneficio: beh-neh-FEE-choh — Noun meaning 'benefit' or 'advantage' gained from something
loro: LOH-roh — Pronoun meaning 'their', 'them', or 'they'
Per: pehr — Preposition meaning 'for', 'by', or 'through'
gli: lyee — Definite article 'the' for masculine plural nouns
abitanti: ah-bee-TAHN-tee — Plural noun meaning 'inhabitants' or 'residents' of a place
andavano: ahn-DAH-vah-noh — Imperfect of 'andare'; they were going or used to go
letto: LEHT-toh — Noun meaning 'bed'; also past participle of 'leggere' (read)
presto: PREHS-toh — Adverb meaning 'early', 'soon', or 'quickly'
tornavano: tor-NAH-vah-noh — Imperfect of 'tornare'; they were returning or going back
rumorosamente: roo-moh-roh-zah-MEHN-teh — Adverb meaning 'noisily' or 'in a loud manner'
i: ee — Definite article 'the' for masculine plural nouns
zoccoli: TSOK-koh-lee — Plural noun meaning 'clogs' or wooden-soled shoes
guidati: gwee-DAH-tee — Past participle of 'guidare'; guided or led by someone
portatore: por-tah-TOH-reh — Noun meaning 'bearer' or 'carrier', one who carries something
lanterna: lahn-TEHR-nah — A lantern or portable light used to illuminate paths
verso: VEHR-soh — Preposition meaning 'toward' or 'around' a time
nove: NOH-veh — Number meaning 'nine'
sera: SEH-rah — Noun meaning 'evening' or 'night'
l': l — Contracted definite article 'the' before a vowel sound
intera: een-TEH-rah — Adjective meaning 'entire' or 'whole', feminine singular
città: cheet-TAH — Noun meaning 'city' or 'town'
addormentata: ahd-dor-mehn-TAH-tah — Past participle of 'addormentarsi'; asleep, having fallen asleep
entro: EHN-troh — Preposition meaning 'within' or 'by' a certain time
dieci: DYEH-chee — Number meaning 'ten'
mezza: MEHD-zah — Adjective meaning 'half'; 'e mezza' means 'half past'

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