Venetian · Veneto
Venice
The Venetian 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 Venice
The list shows the English meaning where we have it; each word page is in Italian.
2,423 words, from A to Z
How to read it
Reading the Venetian
x
Read like the «s» in «rose»: caxa, house.
ł
A very light «l»: depending on the town it sounds like an l, like a faint «e», or not at all: sołe, sun.
s-c
The «s» and the soft «c» (as in «church») are said apart: s-ciopa, gun.
ç
The «c» with a little tail is read like a sharp «s»: pança, belly, sounds like «pansa».
no doubles
Double consonants are not heard. A written «ss» only tells you the s is sharp: musso, donkey.
Source: Wikipedia · Dialetto veneziano, Lingua veneta (CC BY-SA)
Words with a story
The stories of Venice
In English here; the word page, with its source, is in Italian.
The keepers
The keepers of Venice
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 Venice: 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 Venezia.