Italy is a country with many different languages and dialects. One of these is Lombard, spoken in Lombardy and in Milan
Whether you're strolling through Bergamo’s old city, visiting Milan, or arguing about the Inter Milan derby, using a few dialect words can help you sound more like a local. Whether you want to travel to Lombardy or simply impress your friends, here’s a quick guide to speaking like a true Lombard.
The Lombard language is a Romance language spoken mainly in the northern region of Lombardy, but it’s not just one dialect, rather, it’s a continuum of closely related dialects. It is also spoken in parts of Piedmont (in the provinces of Novara and Verbano-Cusio-Ossola) and small areas of Trentino (Val di Sole, Val di Non). It is also spoken in the Swiss canton of Ticino, in a variety with its own characteristics known as Ticinese, and in parts of the neighboring canton of Grisons (Graubünden).
Across the region (and neighboring Lombard-speaking areas of Switzerland), Lombard is being replaced by Italian and is now mainly used in informal conversations. In Milan, this is particularly true: the Lombard language (specifically Milanese) is no longer commonly spoken, especially among younger generations. Most people in Milan now speak Standard Italian in daily life. Milanese Lombard survives mainly among older speakers (those born before the 1950s–60s) and some families who pass it down informally.
The Lombard language takes its name from the Lombards (Longobards), a Germanic people who invaded and settled in northern Italy in the 6th century CE. The region where they established their kingdom eventually became known as Lombardy (Lombardia in Italian). Over time, the language spoken in that region, developed from Latin with influences from the Lombards’ Germanic tongue, came to be called Lombard.
One of the key sounds in Lombard is the open e, a vowel that gives the dialect its distinctive rhythm and musical flow.
In Standard Italian, using articles with proper names is not allowed. However, Milanese often does this, so you’ll hear people say la Maria or la Giorgia instead of just Maria or Giorgia. Be careful, though, they never use it when speaking directly to the person.
These are some common Lombard and Milanese terms and expressions you’ll hear often. We’ve chosen the Lombard words that are most popular, or that have become well-known outside Lombardy and are even heard in Standard Italian.
The classic Milanese shout to get someone’s attention. It works in almost any situation, whether you’re greeting someone or expressing surprise.
In Lombard, the word pirla is a slang term that roughly means fool or idiot. It’s often used in a teasing or mildly insulting way, usually not too strong, similar to calling someone a moron in English, depending on the tone.
Dané (sometimes written danée) means money. It comes from the same root as Italian denaro and Latin denarius (a Roman coin), and shares origins with French denier, Catalan diners, and Spanish dinero, all meaning money. Another word you can use instead of dané is sghei.
A friendly word meaning guy or boy. It’s casual and affectionate, like saying dude or kid, depending on the context. There’s also a feminine equivalent: bagaja.
In Lombard, the word matel (or sometimes spelled matèl) generally means young male or boy, similar to ragazzo in Italian.
Sciur means Mister, Sir, or gentleman, while Sciura means Madam, Mrs., or lady. They’re still used every day in Milan and much of Lombardy, even by people who don’t speak the full dialect. They are the equivalents of Standard Italian signore and signora.
Tusa is a casual word for a young woman or girl. It’s basically the counterpart to bagài. This is similar to other northern Italian languages, for example, the Venetian word tosa or tosata.
This simply means chair, but it became iconic thanks to a famous scene in a film by Aldo, Giovanni e Giacomo, a well-known Italian comedy trio.
Scighera means fog, mist, or haze, especially the thick, damp kind typical of the Po Valley around Milan. For example: Gh’è la scighera stamattina There’s fog this morning.
A slightly snobbish Milanese term for outsiders, especially those who don’t understand the local way of doing things and annoy people who live in the city center.
Bigiare (or bigià, bigiàa, depending on the form and dialect) is a very typical word that’s become part of local slang and means to skip school or work. It’s basically the Lombard-origin equivalent of Italian marinare la scuola.
Literally, Go catch the rats. This expression means Get lost or Go to hell, similar to the Italian vai a quel paese. It’s very local and perfect for when someone really annoys you. Its literal meaning is go catch the rats, though its origin remains uncertain.
Schiscetta is one of the most famous Milanese words. It means lunchbox or a meal brought from home. For example: Oggi porti la schiscetta in ufficio? Are you bringing your lunchbox to the office today?
A crude but common verb meaning to steal. However, it can also be used to mean to have sex with someone, so pay attention with this verb. It’s not very polite and can be offensive, so use it with caution.
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