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Wrong part of the body

During my last holiday in Italy, I needed to get something for constipation. Assuming that the word was similar to English, I asked a pharmacist for qualcosa per la costipazione. When I added that it was for someone who had difficulty going to the toilet, I was met by puzzlement. It wasn't until later that I discovered that the correct word is stitichezza. Costipazione is a bunged up nose or a bad cold. I got the blocked up part bit right, but for the wrong part of the body!

Sent by: Louis

Comments

Debbie, USA 2010-09-11

Preservativi in Italian are NOT preservatives.... they are condoms. And, I might add, Italian foods do not contain them!

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daniela 2010-09-06

You were right (I am italian)

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judith 2008-10-07

It's exactly the same in Spanish. Estoy constipado means you're all bunged up - the nose, that is!

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D 2007-12-16

Beware! Una fattoria is not a factory - it's a farm.

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Elena 2007-04-26

Costipazione is widely used in both cases, you weren't so wrong!

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