10 Italian words that sound like what they mean

langsandlit:

1. Ruvido: rough, uneven ~ usually said of surfaces. The rolled -r, and -v make the word sound coarse.
2. Arrabbiato: mad, angry ~ the double -r creates a vibrant, harsh sound; the double -b stops the air from flowing regularly, the -t- makes a dry sound.
3. Scivolare: to slip, slide ~ sc- /š/ makes a sound similar to that to of the wind blowing or of water splashing. Similar words include pesce (fish), scendere (go down, get off), sciogliere (melt, unleash).
4. Frusciare: rustle, swish ~ /š/ sound, same as above.
5. Liscio: soft, smooth ~ /š/ sound, same as above.
6. Ruggire: roar ~ the double vibrant -r resembles the sound of a roaring lion.
7. Ardere: to burn, to be aflame ~ consonant cluster -rd- followed but another -r- contribute to making the word sound coarse reminding of the cracking of fire.
8. Rumore: noise; Old Italian romore rumour ~ vibrant -r- in both the initial and final syllable.
9. Sferzare: to whip, to lash ~ consonant clusters like -sf-, -rz-, -r-, all sounds that contribute to making the word sound extremely harsh.
10. Rena: sand ~ initial r- is reminiscent of other words containing -r- having to do with sand, like deserto (desert), riva (shore), rivo (river).