People and personality

What holds these lists together

The lists for what there is to say about a person once name and job are out of the way: where they come from and what has happened to them, how they are feeling, and how they usually behave. All three questions come up in the same conversations — getting to know someone, writing a reference, talking about a third party. The fine distinctions are where an English speaker slips. Simpatico does not mean «sympathetic» but likeable, easy to get on with, and antipatico is someone you simply cannot warm to.

For example: ricostruire l’albero genealogico (to trace the family tree), seccato (annoyed), coscienzioso (conscientious), l’assicurazione sanitaria per animali (the pet health insurance), scaltro (shrewd), dare un’occhiata (to take a quick look)

Spread across the levels

The category runs across the levels — it is an area, not a difficulty. If you practise it, you can also choose a level at the top of the practice page and then get only the part that sits there.