Signification
Happening occasionally.
Contexte culturel
Italians value their free time and social connections. Using 'di tanto in tanto' often implies a relaxed, non-pressured way of maintaining relationships. The phrase is a favorite of authors like Italo Calvino and Natalia Ginzburg to describe the sporadic nature of memory and life events. In the South, where life can sometimes have a slower pace, this phrase is used frequently to describe seasonal habits or visiting relatives in other towns. In Italian offices, 'di tanto in tanto' is used to describe secondary tasks, showing that one is capable but not bogged down by minor details.
Sound more native
Use 'di tanto in tanto' at the beginning of a sentence to sound more poetic and sophisticated.
Preposition Trap
Never say 'da tanto in tanto'. It is the most common mistake for English speakers.
Signification
Happening occasionally.
Sound more native
Use 'di tanto in tanto' at the beginning of a sentence to sound more poetic and sophisticated.
Preposition Trap
Never say 'da tanto in tanto'. It is the most common mistake for English speakers.
Synonym Swap
If you find yourself saying 'a volte' too much, swap it for 'di tanto in tanto' to instantly level up your Italian.
Social Softener
Use this phrase when you want to be non-committal about how often you do something.
Teste-toi
Complete the sentence with the correct prepositions.
Vado al mare ___ tanto ___ tanto.
The fixed phrase is 'di tanto in tanto'.
Which sentence is the most natural for a neutral context?
How do you say 'I occasionally eat chocolate'?
'Di tanto in tanto' is the correct phrase for 'occasionally'.
Match the Italian phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
These are the four main levels of frequency in Italian.
Fill in the missing part of the dialogue.
A: Ti piace cucinare? B: Sì, ma lo faccio solo ___.
'Di tanto in tanto' fits the context of doing a hobby occasionally.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
When to use 'Di tanto in tanto'
Hobbies
- • Painting
- • Hiking
- • Cooking
Social
- • Texting friends
- • Visiting family
- • Parties
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesVado al mare ___ tanto ___ tanto.
The fixed phrase is 'di tanto in tanto'.
How do you say 'I occasionally eat chocolate'?
'Di tanto in tanto' is the correct phrase for 'occasionally'.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are the four main levels of frequency in Italian.
A: Ti piace cucinare? B: Sì, ma lo faccio solo ___.
'Di tanto in tanto' fits the context of doing a hobby occasionally.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsIt is neutral to slightly formal. It's safe for all situations, but 'ogni tanto' is more common with close friends.
No, that is incorrect. The only correct preposition in the middle is 'in'.
'A volte' is very simple and common. 'Di tanto in tanto' sounds a bit more elegant and rhythmic.
Not exactly. 'Rarely' (raramente) implies it almost never happens. 'Di tanto in tanto' implies it happens occasionally but with some regularity.
Usually at the end or the beginning. 'Vado al cinema di tanto in tanto' or 'Di tanto in tanto vado al cinema'.
Yes, e.g., 'Ho mal di testa di tanto in tanto' (I have a headache occasionally).
Yes, it is a standard Italian expression used from Milan to Sicily.
Make sure the 't' is crisp and your tongue touches your upper teeth, not the roof of your mouth.
Yes, 'ogni tanto' is shorter and serves the same purpose in casual speech.
Yes, it is very appropriate for professional writing.
No, it is an adverbial phrase and never changes its form.
Only if you are writing a 19th-century novel! It's very old-fashioned.
Expressions liées
ogni tanto
synonymevery now and then
a volte
similarsometimes
raramente
contrastrarely
di quando in quando
synonymfrom time to time
sporadicamente
specialized formsporadically
