Happy Easter in Italian: Easter Traditions, Food & Vocabulary in Italy!
Wishing Happy Easter in Italian || Buona Pasqua!
Hi everyone!
Since Easter 2024 is approaching, today we’ll explore Italian Easter traditions, celebrations, and food. At the end of the article, you’ll also find some useful vocabulary.
Happy Easter in Italian | Uova di Pasqua
Happy Easter in Italian | Colomba pasquale
Happy Easter in Italian | Pasquetta
Happy Easter in Italian | Caccia alle uova
Happy Easter in Italian | Scoppio del Carro
Happy Easter in Italian | Easter vocabulary
Happy Easter in Italian | FAQs
Happy Easter in Italian || Uova di Pasqua
There are two types of Italian Easter eggs (“uova di Pasqua“):
- Artisanal eggs, which can be bought at bakeries and usually do not have any surprises inside
- Eggs that you can buy at supermarkets
You’ll be able to find an easter egg of any brand or character you can think of. Easter eggs are usually gifted to children (but, why not, also to adults).
During the Easter season, it is common to find many easter egg opening videos on Italian Tiktok and YouTube.
Happy Easter in Italian || Colomba pasquale
The “Colomba pasquale” or “Colomba di Pasqua” or simply “Colomba” (lit. “dove”) is a dove-shaped sweet bread that Italians typically have after lunch on Easter.
It’s a nice gift to bring if someone invites you for lunch on Easter day. Usually, the colomba is enriched with candied fruit, candied orange peel, and almonds.
However, many bakeries now offer alternatives such as colombe filled with ice cream, chocolate or pistachio creams, mascarpone, and so on.
Happy Easter in Italian || Pasquetta
Easter Monday, also known as Pasquetta, is usually spent with friends.
As Italians say: Natale con i tuoi, Pasqua con chi vuoi – meaning, Christmas with your family, Easter with whomever you want.
People usually plan a day trip, picnic or outdoor barbecue (“grigliata”) often with lamb meat (although today more and more people are not eating lamb because of cruelty to animals).
The problem is that, more often than not, on Easter Monday, it rains.
Happy Easter in Italian || Caccia alle uova
Egg hunts are not a typical Italian tradition, but just like the Halloween trick-or-treat tradition, it’s becoming increasingly popular in Italy as well.
People hide chocolate eggs, fake eggs, or boiled and decorated eggs in various places, such as gardens, parks, or even inside homes. Children are then encouraged to look for these eggs.
The eggs are said to be left by the Easter Bunny.
Happy Easter in Italian || Scoppio del Carro
Each city has its own Easter traditions, but certainly, the most spectacular one takes place in Florence.
Every Easter Sunday, you can see the “Scoppio del Carro” (lit. “explosion of the cart”). This ancient tradition takes place between the Baptistery of San Giovanni and the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore.
The “carro” is a pyrotechnic tower placed on a decorated float. The Archbishop of Florence ignites a rocket in the shape of a dove, which launches from the church and, sliding along a wire, goes on to set the chariot on fire in a blaze of fireworks.
Happy Easter in Italian || Easter vocabulary
Finally, here’s some useful Easter-themed Italian vocabulary!
| ITALIAN | ENGLISH |
|---|---|
| Agnello | Lamb |
| Buona Pasqua | Happy Easter |
| Cioccolato | Chocolate |
| Coniglietto pasquale | Easter bunny |
| Colomba di Pasqua | Easter dove (Italian traditional sweet bread) |
| Lunedì dell’Angelo | Easter Monday |
| Natale con i tuoi, Pasqua con chi vuoi | Christmas with your family, Easter with whomever you want |
| Pasqua | Easter |
| Pasquetta | Easter Monday |
| Uovo di pasqua | Easter egg |
| Venerdì Santo | Good Friday |
We hope you’ve enjoyed learning more about how Easter is celebrated in Italy. Well, all that’s left to say is… Buona Pasqua!
Happy Easter in Italian || FAQs
What is a “Colomba pasquale”?
It’s a dove-shaped sweet bread enjoyed on Easter, similar to “panettone” (which is typical of Christmas).
How do you say “Happy Easter” in Italian?
It’s very simple: Buona Pasqua!
What is “Pasquetta”?
It’s Easter Monday, often spent with friends outdoors, featuring picnics or barbecues.
Is egg hunting traditional in Italy?
It’s not traditional, but it’s an increasingly popular activity.
What is the “Scoppio del Carro” tradition?
It’s an Easter Sunday spectacular event in Florence where a rocket ignites a cart filled with fireworks.
What’s the difference between “uovo di Pasqua” and “uova di Pasqua?”
The word “uovo” (“egg”) has an irregular plural, “uova”, so “uovo di Pasqua” is singular and “uova di Pasqua” is plural.
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