The Count of Monte Cristo — Page 5

English → It VOLUME ONE Level 7/10

He was a man of twenty-five or twenty-six years of age, of unprepossessing countenance, obsequious to his superiors, insolent to his subordinates; and this, in addition to his position as responsible agent on board, which is always obnoxious to the sailors, made him as much disliked by the crew as Edmond Dantès was beloved by them.

Era un uomo di venticinque o ventisei anni, di aspetto sgradevole, ossequioso con i superiori, insolente con i subordinati; e questo, oltre alla sua posizione di agente responsabile a bordo, che è sempre invisa ai marinai, lo rendeva tanto detestato dall'equipaggio quanto Edmond Dantès ne era amato.

"Well, M. Morrel," said Danglars, "you have heard of the misfortune that has befallen us?"

«Ebbene, signor Morrel,» disse Danglars, «avete sentito della disgrazia che ci è capitata?»

"Yes—yes: poor Captain Leclere! He was a brave and an honest man."

«Sì, sì: povero capitano Leclère! Era un uomo coraggioso e onesto.»

"And a first-rate seaman, one who had seen long and honorable service, as became a man charged with the interests of a house so important as that of Morrel & Son," replied Danglars.

«E un marinaio di prim'ordine, uno che aveva prestato un lungo e onorevole servizio, come si addiceva a un uomo incaricato degli interessi di una casa così importante come quella di Morrel e figlio,» rispose Danglars.

"But," replied the owner, glancing after Dantès, who was watching the anchoring of his vessel, "it seems to me that a sailor needs not be so old as you say, Danglars, to understand his business, for our friend Edmond seems to understand it thoroughly, and not to require instruction from anyone."

«Ma,» rispose l'armatore, lanciando uno sguardo verso Dantès, che stava osservando l'ancoraggio della sua nave, «mi sembra che un marinaio non abbia bisogno di essere così vecchio come voi dite, Danglars, per capire il suo mestiere, poiché il nostro amico Edmond sembra capirlo a fondo, e non aver bisogno di istruzioni da nessuno.»

"Yes," said Danglars, darting at Edmond a look gleaming with hate. "Yes, he is young, and youth is invariably self-confident. Scarcely was the captain's breath out of his body when he assumed the command without consulting anyone, and he caused us to lose a day and a half at the Island of Elba, instead of making for Marseilles direct.

«Sì,» disse Danglars, lanciando a Edmond uno sguardo brillante di odio. «Sì, è giovane, e la gioventù è invariabilmente presuntuosa. A malapena il capitano aveva esalato l'ultimo respiro che egli assunse il comando senza consultare nessuno, e ci fece perdere un giorno e mezzo all'Isola d'Elba, invece di fare rotta direttamente su Marsiglia.

Vocabulary

Era: EH-rah — Third person singular past tense of 'essere' (to be).
un: oon — Indefinite article masculine singular, meaning 'a' or 'an'.
uomo: WOH-moh — A male adult human being; a man.
di: dee — Preposition meaning 'of', 'from', or 'by'.
venticinque: ven-tee-CHEEN-kweh — The cardinal number twenty-five.
o: oh — Conjunction meaning 'or', indicating an alternative.
ventisei: ven-tee-SAY — The cardinal number twenty-six.
anni: AHN-nee — Plural of 'anno'; years, often referring to age.
aspetto: ah-SPET-toh — Physical appearance or outward look of a person.
sgradevole: zgrah-DEH-voh-leh — Unpleasant or disagreeable in nature or appearance.
ossequioso: os-seh-KWEE-oh-zoh — Excessively eager to please superiors; obsequious, fawning.
con: kon — Preposition meaning 'with', indicating accompaniment or manner.
i: ee — Definite article masculine plural, meaning 'the'.
superiori: soo-peh-ree-OH-ree — People of higher rank or authority; superiors.
insolente: een-soh-LEN-teh — Rude and disrespectful toward others; insolent.
subordinati: soob-or-dee-NAH-tee — People of lower rank under one's authority; subordinates.
e: eh — Conjunction meaning 'and', connecting words or clauses.
questo: KWES-toh — Demonstrative pronoun or adjective meaning 'this'.
oltre: OL-treh — Preposition or adverb meaning 'beyond', 'besides', 'in addition to'.
alla: AHL-lah — Contraction of 'a' and 'la'; 'to the' or 'at the' (feminine).
sua: SOO-ah — Possessive adjective feminine singular meaning 'his', 'her', or 'its'.
posizione: poh-zee-TSYOH-neh — Position, role, or place occupied by someone or something.
agente: ah-JEN-teh — An agent or representative acting on behalf of another.
responsabile: reh-spon-SAH-bee-leh — Accountable or in charge; responsible for something or someone.
a: ah — Preposition meaning 'at', 'to', or 'in'.
bordo: BOR-doh — The side of a ship; onboard a vessel.
che: keh — Relative pronoun or conjunction meaning 'that', 'which', or 'who'.
è: eh — Third person singular present of 'essere'; means 'is'.
sempre: SEM-preh — Adverb meaning 'always' or 'ever'.
invisa: een-VEE-zah — Disliked or hated; regarded with hostility (feminine form).
ai: ah-ee — Contraction of 'a' and 'i'; 'to the' or 'at the' (masculine plural).
marinai: mah-ree-NAH-ee — Plural of 'marinaio'; sailors or seamen on a vessel.
lo: loh — Masculine singular direct object pronoun meaning 'him' or 'it'.
rendeva: ren-DEH-vah — Imperfect tense of 'rendere'; made or rendered something.
tanto: TAN-toh — Adverb or adjective meaning 'so much', 'as much', or 'so'.
detestato: deh-tes-TAH-toh — Past participle of 'detestare'; hated or deeply disliked.
dall': dahl — Contraction of 'da' and 'l''; 'by the' or 'from the'.
equipaggio: eh-kwee-PAD-joh — The crew of a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle.
quanto: KWAN-toh — As much as; used in comparisons to indicate equivalence.
ne: neh — Pronoun meaning 'of it', 'of them', 'some', or 'about it'.
era: EH-rah — Imperfect tense of 'essere'; 'was' or 'used to be'.
amato: ah-MAH-toh — Past participle of 'amare'; loved or beloved by others.
Ebbene: eb-BEH-neh — Interjection meaning 'well then' or 'so'; introduces a statement.
signor: seen-YOR — Title of address for a man; equivalent to 'Mr.' in English.
disse: DEES-seh — Past tense of 'dire'; said or spoke to someone.
avete: ah-VEH-teh — Second person plural present of 'avere'; 'you have' (plural).
sentito: sen-TEE-toh — Past participle of 'sentire'; heard or felt something.
della: DEL-lah — Contraction of 'di' and 'la'; 'of the' (feminine singular).
disgrazia: deez-GRAH-tsyah — Misfortune, mishap, or disgrace affecting someone.
ci: chee — Reflexive or indirect pronoun meaning 'us', 'to us', or 'there'.
capitata: kah-pee-TAH-tah — Past participle of 'capitare'; happened or occurred to someone.
Sì: see — Affirmative response meaning 'yes' in Italian.
povero: POH-veh-roh — Adjective meaning 'poor', used to express sympathy or pity.
capitano: kah-pee-TAH-noh — The captain or commanding officer of a ship.
coraggioso: koh-rad-JOH-zoh — Brave and courageous; showing boldness in difficult situations.
onesto: oh-NES-toh — Honest, upright, and morally sincere in conduct.
E: eh — Conjunction meaning 'and', connecting words or clauses.
marinaio: mah-ree-NAH-yoh — A sailor or seaman who works aboard a vessel.
prim: preem — Shortened form of 'primo'; first or of the first order.
ordine: OR-dee-neh — Order, rank, or class; a level of quality or hierarchy.
uno: OO-noh — The number one; also an indefinite article meaning 'a'.
aveva: ah-VEH-vah — Third person singular imperfect of 'avere'; 'he/she had'.
prestato: pres-TAH-toh — Past participle of 'prestare'; lent or rendered a service.
lungo: LOON-goh — Adjective meaning 'long' in duration or physical extent.
onorevole: oh-noh-REH-voh-leh — Honorable or worthy of respect and esteem.
servizio: ser-VEE-tsyoh — Service rendered; duty performed in a professional capacity.
come: KOH-meh — Conjunction or adverb meaning 'as', 'like', or 'how'.
si: see — Reflexive pronoun meaning 'oneself', 'himself', 'herself', or 'itself'.
addiceva: ahd-dee-CHEH-vah — Imperfect of 'addicere/addicersi'; was fitting or suitable.
incaricato: een-kah-ree-KAH-toh — A person entrusted with a task or responsibility; an agent.
degli: DEL-yee — Contraction of 'di' and 'gli'; 'of the' (masculine plural).
interessi: een-teh-RES-see — Plural of 'interesse'; interests or financial concerns of a party.
una: OO-nah — Feminine indefinite article meaning 'a' or 'an'.
casa: KAH-zah — A house or home; also a business firm or company.
così: koh-ZEE — Adverb meaning 'so', 'thus', or 'in this way'.
importante: eem-por-TAN-teh — Significant or of great importance and consequence.
quella: KWEL-lah — Demonstrative adjective or pronoun meaning 'that' (feminine).
figlio: FEE-lyoh — A son; a male child in relation to his parents.
rispose: rees-POH-zeh — Past tense of 'rispondere'; replied or responded to someone.
Ma: mah — Conjunction meaning 'but', introducing a contrast or objection.
l': l — Elided definite article 'il' or 'la' before a vowel.
armatore: ar-mah-TOH-reh — A shipowner who owns and manages commercial vessels.
lanciando: lan-CHAN-doh — Present participle of 'lanciare'; throwing or casting a glance.
sguardo: ZGWAR-doh — A look or glance directed at someone or something.
verso: VER-soh — Preposition meaning 'toward' or 'in the direction of'.
stava: STAH-vah — Imperfect of 'stare'; was standing, staying, or in a state.
osservando: os-ser-VAN-doh — Present participle of 'osservare'; observing or watching something.
ancoraggio: an-koh-RAD-joh — The act of anchoring; an anchorage or place to moor.
nave: NAH-veh — A ship or large vessel used for sea travel.
mi: mee — First person singular object pronoun meaning 'me' or 'to me'.
sembra: SEM-brah — Third person singular of 'sembrare'; seems or appears to be.
non: non — Negation adverb meaning 'not'; used to negate verbs.
abbia: AHB-byah — Present subjunctive of 'avere'; (that he/she) may have.
bisogno: bee-ZON-yoh — Need or necessity; something required or lacking.
essere: ES-seh-reh — Infinitive 'to be'; fundamental Italian auxiliary and linking verb.
vecchio: VEK-kyoh — Old or elderly; an old person or object.
voi: voy — Second person plural pronoun meaning 'you' (plural).
dite: DEE-teh — Second person plural present of 'dire'; 'you say' or 'you tell'.
per: pehr — Preposition meaning 'for', 'in order to', or 'through'.
capire: kah-PEE-reh — Infinitive meaning 'to understand' or 'to comprehend'.
il: eel — Masculine singular definite article meaning 'the'.
suo: SOO-oh — Possessive adjective masculine meaning 'his', 'her', or 'its'.
mestiere: mes-TYEH-reh — A trade, craft, or profession practiced by someone.
poiché: poy-KEH — Conjunction meaning 'since', 'because', or 'given that'.
nostro: NOS-troh — Possessive adjective meaning 'our'; belonging to us.
amico: ah-MEE-koh — A friend; a person one has a close bond with.
capirlo: kah-PEER-loh — Infinitive 'capire' plus pronoun 'lo'; to understand it or him.
fondo: FON-doh — Bottom, depth, or foundation; thoroughly when used in phrases.
aver: ah-VER — Shortened infinitive of 'avere'; to have, used in compounds.
istruzioni: ees-troo-TSYOH-nee — Instructions or directions given to guide someone's actions.
da: dah — Preposition meaning 'from', 'by', 'since', or 'as'.
nessuno: nes-SOO-noh — Pronoun or adjective meaning 'no one', 'nobody', or 'none'.
brillante: breel-LAN-teh — Brilliant, shining, or exceptionally intelligent and talented.
odio: OH-dyoh — Hatred or intense dislike toward a person or thing.
giovane: JOH-vah-neh — Young in age; a young person or youth.
la: lah — Feminine singular definite article meaning 'the'.
gioventù: joh-ven-TOO — Youth as an abstract concept; the period of being young.
invariabilmente: een-vah-ryah-beel-MEN-teh — Adverb meaning 'invariably' or 'always without exception'.
presuntuosa: preh-soon-TWOH-zah — Presumptuous or arrogant; overconfident in one's own importance.
A: ah — Preposition meaning 'at', 'to', or 'by'; begins a phrase.
malapena: mah-lah-PEH-nah — Used in phrase 'a malapena' meaning 'barely' or 'hardly'.
esalato: eh-zah-LAH-toh — Past participle of 'esalare'; exhaled or breathed out a last breath.
ultimo: OOL-tee-moh — Last or final in a sequence; the most recent one.
respiro: res-PEE-roh — A breath; the act of breathing in and out.
egli: EL-yee — Third person masculine singular pronoun meaning 'he'.
assunse: ah-SOON-seh — Past tense of 'assumere'; took on or assumed a role.
comando: koh-MAN-doh — Command or control; the authority to lead or direct.
senza: SEN-tsah — Preposition meaning 'without'; lacking something or someone.
consultare: kon-sool-TAH-reh — To consult or seek advice from someone experienced.
fece: FEH-cheh — Past tense of 'fare'; made or caused something to happen.
perdere: PER-deh-reh — To lose or waste something, such as time or an object.
giorno: JOR-noh — A day; a period of twenty-four hours.
mezzo: MED-zoh — Half; also used to mean 'middle' or 'medium'.
all': ahl — Contraction of 'a' and 'l''; 'at the' or 'to the' before vowel.
Isola: EE-zoh-lah — An island; a landmass surrounded by water.
d': d — Elided form of 'di' used before a vowel; meaning 'of'.
invece: een-VEH-cheh — Adverb meaning 'instead', 'on the contrary', or 'rather'.
fare: FAH-reh — Infinitive meaning 'to do' or 'to make'; very common verb.
rotta: ROT-tah — A nautical route or course set for a destination.
direttamente: dee-ret-tah-MEN-teh — Adverb meaning 'directly' or 'straight' toward a destination.
su: soo — Preposition meaning 'on', 'up', or 'toward' something.

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