Sample Words and Phrases

scugnizzo = street urchin

= street urchin pummarola = tomatoes (e.g. O spaghett' ca' pummarola 'ncoppa = Spaghetti with tomatoes on top)



= tomatoes (e.g. = Spaghetti with tomatoes on top) Napule = Napoli (Naples)

= Napoli (Naples) guaglione/a = boy/girl

= boy/girl Uè = hi, hey

= hi, hey Oje nè = Hey baby/Oh darling (from Nenella , a term of endearment)

= Hey baby/Oh darling (from , a term of endearment) Chiano = like Italian piano (slow, soft...)

= like Italian (slow, soft...) Ce verimm' aròppo = See you later

= See you later furastère = foreigner

= foreigner Guagliò/a = guy/girl (a bit like ragazzo/a in standard Italian)

= guy/girl (a bit like in standard Italian) 'O = masculine "the" (the equivalent of il in standard Italian; O Sole Mio, the famous Neapolitan song, means "The sun of mine", not "O sun of mine"...other articles are basically the same as standard Italian but missing a consonant, e.g. 'a = la, 'na = una)

Interaction with "Standard" Italian

endings of words are cut off

non-stressed vowels become "uh" (called the "schwa"--this is the same thing we do in English)

Names often get cut off after the stressed syllable (so Gennaro becomes Gennà)

"sh" sounds are added where not normally found in the standard dialect (e.g. "ci", "ce", "sc", "sp", "sf" and "sq" all have the sound)

c and g sound similar

d sometimes becomes r (so addò , Neapolitan for "where" sometimes sounds like arrò )

, Neapolitan for "where" sometimes sounds like ) gi becomes j (a "y" sound...e.g. "giornata" becomes "jornata")

b sounds like a v

q becomes ch (e.g. "quello/a" becomes "chillo/u/a", "questo" becomes "chisto" or just "sto")

some other consonants get shuffled around (e.g. Neapolitan for "più" is "cchiù")

other consonants get doubled

(or) is the Italian " dialect " common to Naples and the surrounding region, one of the most important languages in Italy after standard "Italian" (which was itself originally a Tuscan dialect). The Neapolitan language has long history and rich culture, and those who speak it are justifiably proud of this. It's hard enough for English speakers to learn standard Italian , but if you spend time in Naples it's worth learning a little bit about Neapolitan. After all, many of the most famous "Italian" songs (like) are actually Neapolitan songs . Also, understanding how Neapolitan sounds will help you understand locals when they talk--even if they are talking in the standard dialect.Many speakers switch easily back and forth between Neapolitan and "Standard" Italian, sometimes speaking somewhere between the two forms. Many Neapolitans will speak "Standard" Italian with non-Neapolitans, but with a thick accent, which makes it difficult for even native (northern) Italians to understand. Here are some tips on what to expect to help you understand this "Neapolitan accent":...so, for example, instead of the standard Italian "aspetta" (wait) a Neapolitan might say something that sounds more like "ush-PEHT." Similarly, Ischia is pronounced "EESH-kyuh." Note that this accent is stereotyped in much the same way as some Americans stereotype U.S. Southern accents—as sounding "lazy" or "uneducated."