“BUONO COME IL PANE”: WHY DO WE SAY THIS?

Bread, a universal symbol in the Italian language

Bread is much more than just a food. In Italy, it is at the heart of many idiomatic expressions: “Buono come il pane”, “Rendere pan per focaccia”, “Pane al pane, vino al vino”, or even “Mangiapane a tradimento”. But where do these popular formulas come from? And what do they reveal about Italian culture, so close and yet so rich in nuances for us, French speakers?

To see more clearly, Marco Ballarè, author of A word kills (Gribaudo) and expert in the Italian language, enlightens us on the symbolism and history of these expressions, all centered around a simple but fundamental food: bread.

An essential food, a universal language

“Bread has always nourished man. It is made from simple ingredients, accessible to everyone, and symbolizes life, sustenance, and even spirituality,” explains Ballarè. This is why it has become a reference in everyday language, to the point of embodying much more than a foodstuff: a symbol of sharing, humanity, even cultural identity – both in Italy and in France.

For example, the word “companion” in French shares the same root as Italian: it comes from Latin “company”, formed of cum (with) and panis (bread): literally, “the one who shares the bread”. A touching etymology which reflects a profoundly human and universal value.

Italian expressions around bread: origin and meaning

“Buono come il pane”

It designates a sincere, kind, gentle person. Bread is seen here as the fundamental, good and reassuring element. Another variation in French: “It’s a real piece of bread” to talk about someone good and harmless.

“Go via come il pane”

This expression is used to designate a product or an object that sells very quickly, in large quantities - a bit like we would say in French: "it goes like hot cakes".

“What is my pane”

Literally translated: “It’s my bread”. This means that we are talking here about a daily activity, a mastered profession, a source of subsistence. A way of saying “this is my livelihood”.

“Chi ha il pane non ha i denti per mangiarlo”

A bitter expression to say that those who have the means do not always have the capacity to exploit them, and vice versa. The equivalent in French would be: “The shoemakers are always the worst shod”.

“Rendere pan per focaccia”

Means to reciprocate, often with a connotation of revenge. The origin is even found in the Decameron by Boccaccio! In French, we would say: “give back your piece”.

“Mangiapane a tradition”

The one who lives on the backs of others, who eats other people's bread without giving anything in return. Synonym of a “profiteer”. In the past, we also said “guastapagnotte”. In French, this could be translated as “pique-assiette” or “parasite”.

“Pane al pane, vino al vino”

A popular way of saying things as they are, bluntly, without hypocrisy. The bread and the wine are the basic elements, clear and essential - like the speech they illustrate. We could say in French: “Let’s call a spade a spade”.

Bread in Italian culture

From “panem et circenses” in ancient Rome to modern everyday expressions, bread has never left the language. It is the food of the poor and of kings, of the sacred and the profane, of everyday life and celebration – in Italy as in France.

These expressions remind us that eating bread is also sharing, living, loving, growing. In short: it’s being human.

🎥 Also discover in video our tips for bringing stale bread back to life

👉 Source : Read the original article on La Cucina Italiana