Learn Italian With ‘Odio il Natale’ (I Hate Christmas) Netflix Show

You can watch “I Hate Christmas,” and from then onward, you will never hate learning Italian.

Learning Italian can feel like a festive experience when you immerse yourself in Italian holiday traditions with Odio il Natale. This popular Netflix show isn’t just entertaining but also a great way to pick up essential Italian phrases for the season.

No need to look for grammar books, dictionaries, and exercises that are way too boring and outdated, and they don’t always teach you the Italian that people use in everyday interactions. So, what about learning real Italian from authentic Italian TV shows?

Here we will introduce you to a TV show that is ideal for learning beginner Italian phrases and sentences, along with a learning tool that will let you practise, review, and retain what you have learned through personalized exercises that adapt to your needs and learning style. Sounds too good to be true? Ready to learn Italian the fun way? Download Jolii to start practicing Italian with this festive show! Keep reading to find out how!

5 Italian Cultural Reasons For Learning the Italian Language

Learning a language goes well beyond merely memorizing grammar rules. It has to do with culture and traditions. If you have ever dreamed about drinking an espresso in front of the Colosseum or exploring the artistic heritage of Tuscany, here are our top 5 reasons why you should learn Italian:

La Dolce Vita (the good life): “La Dolce Vita” represents the Italian philosophy of enjoying life’s simple pleasures—whether that’s ordering an Aperol Spritz or driving around with a Vespa, learning Italian will let you fully embrace the Italian way of living.

La Moda (fashion): Italy is synonymous with style. Milan and Florence are the capital cities of fashion and are home to famous brands like Gucci, Armani, and Dolce & Gabbana. Knowing Italian will make your shopping experience in Italy even more enjoyable.

La Musica (music): Italy is the birthplace of opera, from Verdi to Puccini and to today’s pop culture. With knowledge of the Italian language, you will be able to understand the lyrics and engage with their meanings on a deeper level.

Il Mangiare (the food): Italian food is well-known worldwide, with every region having its own cuisine. Knowing some basic Italian phrases will improve your travel experience in Italy, whether you are ordering in a restaurant or shopping at a local market.

Le Tradizioni (traditions): Italy has a rich history, and many fascinating traditions are still present in today’s everyday life. Understanding these traditions will enrich your learning experience.

In the series we are going to analyze, you will get a sense of all these aspects. Set in the beautiful cities of Chioggia and Venice, it’s a love (and hate) story in which you will get to experience how life is in Italy while you learn the language. 

Scene Analysis: Learn Beginner Italian with ‘Odio il Natale’ (I Hate Christmas) 

It’s December 1st; it’s that magical time of the year again! The countdown for Christmas has started. Everyone is looking forward to opening the presents and spending some quality time with the family. Except for Gianna, who is 33 and single, and once again, she will have to face all the questions from her relatives about why she doesn’t have a boyfriend or a family of her own.So annoying!

Want to understand every detail? Try Jolii for custom exercises based on the scenes you love!

5 Key Italian Pronominal Verbs to Understand the Scene

Before watching the opening scene of the show, let’s learn a few verbs that will improve your understanding. Pronominal verbs are verbs combined with a pronoun or preposition. They are mostly high-frequency verbs, but when combined with pronouns, their meaning changes, often adding impatience or emphasis to the verb. These verbs are very common in everyday, colloquial Italian, yet rarely used by Italian learners. Mastering them will truly make you sound like a native speaker!

So here are 5 pronominal verbs that can help you improve your spoken Italian:

Verb	English Translation	Examples
Avercela con (from avere = to have)	to be mad at someone, to resent.	Il mio capo ce l’ha con me e non capisco perchè.  (My boss is mad at me and I don’t understand why)Ce l’ho con mio fratello perché è sempre più bravo di me. (I resent my brother because he’s always better than me)Non ce l’ha con te, ce l’ha con il suo ragazzo. (She’s not mad at you; she’s mad at her boyfriend.)
Fregarsene di (from fregare = to fool)	to not care about something or someone.	Lei se ne frega di quello che dicono gli altri.(She doesn’t care about what other people say)Te ne freghi della mia opinione. (You don’t care about my opinion)Anche se loro non vogliono aiutarmi, io me ne frego. (Even if they don’t want to help me, I don’t give a damn.)
Sbrigarsi a: (from sbrigare = to attend to)	to hurry up.	Sbrigati, il treno sta partendo. (Hurry up, the train is leaving)Devo sbrigarmi a finire questo lavoro. (I must hurry up and finish this work)Lui si sbriga a fare i compiti. (He’s hurrying to do his homework)
Farsi: (from fare = to do, to make)	to create or get something	Mi sono fatto nuovi amici al lavoro. (I got new friends at work)Lui si è fatto una bella reputazione. (He gained a good reputation)Ci siamo fatti una bella vacanza. (We had a nice holiday)
Piegarsi a: (from piegare = to fold, to bend)	to surrender, to give in	Noi non ci pieghiamo alle pressioni. (We do not give in to pressure.)Lui si è piegato alle sue condizioni. (He gave in to his conditions.)Non mi piego alla decisione del capo. (I don’t give in to the boss’s decision.)

Let’s now watch the scene. We suggest watching it twice: during the first watch, try to understand the scene, and during the second watch, pay attention to the 5 verbs we have just introduced.

Here is the transcript of the scene for you to follow along: 

Io odio il Natale. L’ho detto. Così, volevo che lo sapeste nel caso ci fosse la scomparsa del genere umano, insomma. Che poi non è per il panettone, le lucine… No, no. a me piacciono moltissimo il panettone e le lucine. Io odio il Natale perché il Natale ce l’ha con me. Eccomi. Sembro felice, eh? Ma… in effetti lo sono. Ho un lavoro che amo, ho delle amiche che mi piacciono. Però al Natale, della tua felicità, non gliene frega niente. A Natale, conta soltanto se hai una famiglia tua.Infatti, eccolo. Guarda. Gesù Bambino che si sbriga a raggiungere mamma e papà. Loro sono i miei fratelli. Ecco, per esempio, con loro, il Natale non ce l’ha, perché si sono fatti una famiglia. E mia madre li ama, perché hanno trovato il loro posto nel mondo. E per lei, trovare il proprio posto nel mondo è essenziale. L’unico problema di mia madre……sono io. Io non sono né sposata e né fidanzata. E infatti, stasera per punirmi…mi ha fatto sedere accanto ai gemelli di mio fratello.Ma io non mi piego. No. Io vado fiera della mia indipendenza. E non ho bisogno di un fidanzato per essere felice. – Ce l’ho! ..Ho un fidanzato. Lo porto a casa per Natale.

Did you understand what happened? Gianna hates Christmas, mainly because she doesn’t have a boyfriend. This year, however, she promised to bring a boyfriend at home – who she doesn’t actually have! Now she has 24 days to find one. 

Will she succeed? Watch the series and find out! And with Jolii, you can improve your Italian way faster! The Jolii app allows you to import videos and series and creates personalized lessons, transforming your binge-watching into a meaningful learning experience. 

Essential Italian Holiday Phrases From Odio il Natale (I Hate Christmas)

In her monologue, Gianna mentions il panettone e le lucine (Christmas lights). These are just two of many symbols of Christmas in Italy. Here is a list of Christmas Italian words and phrases to help you speak about the holiday like a native Italian would do.

Essential Italian Christmas Vocabulary Words

Italian	English Translation
Natale	Christmas
Babbo Natale	Santa Claus, Father Christmas
Renna	Reindeer
Slitta	Sleigh
Albero di Natale	Christmas tree
Regalo	Gift
Presepe	Nativity scene
Luci di Natale	Christmas lights
Fiocco di Neve	Snowflake
Gesù Bambino	Baby Jesus
Biscotti di Natale	Christmas Cookies
Mercatino di Natale	Christmas Market
Vigilia di Natale	Christmas Eve
Pranzo di Natale	Christmas Lunch
Capodanno	New Year’s Eve

3 Italian Christmas Words That Don’t Exist in English

Christmas is celebrated worldwide, but there are some elements that are typical only in Italy. Here are three traditions that only exist in Italy.

1. Il Panettone : Panettone is a traditional cake that Italians eat only during the Christmas holidays. It is a tall, sweet bread made with flour, butter, eggs, sugar, and candied fruits. 
2. La Befana : La Befana is a kind, old witch who flies on her scopa (broom).  Children hang stockings for her, and on January 6th (Epiphany), she brings candies and treats – or coal if they have misbehaved. La Befana became part of Italian folklore long before American traditions introduced in Italy the figure of Babbo Natale (Santa Claus), who is today the most important Christmas figure.
3. La Tombola : La Tombola is a traditional game similar to Bingo, played with cards and numbers. Italian families often play it during the Christmas season, especially on Christmas Eve. 

How to Say Merry Christmas in Italian

Finally, let’s see how to wish someone a Merry Christmas in Italian:

Informal Wishes:

• Buon Natale! – Merry Christmas!
• Buone Feste! – Happy Holidays!
• Tanti Auguri di Buon Natale! – Many Christmas Wishes!!
• Buon Natale e Felice Anno Nuovo!  – Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Formal Wishes:

• Auguri sinceri di Buon Natale e Felice Anno Nuovo a Lei e alla sua Famiglia! – Sincere wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year (in Italian) to you and your family!
• Le auguro un sereno Natale e un prospero anno nuovo! – I wish you a peaceful Christmas and a prosperous New Year!

How To Learn Italian Faster With “I Hate Christmas”(Tips & Tricks)

• Firstly, watching a captivating TV show and a festive one is in itself an immersive way of learning any language. 
• Secondly, the use of subtitles in English for the first time and later on watching it using Italian subtitles lets you get to know about the contextual meanings of some phrases.
• By watching “I Hate Christmas” with subtitles, you are giving your mind a visual aid to read, and reading and listening to the words directly helps you better understand.
• If there is a new phrase in the show, you can pause it right there and practice repeating it; repeating a word or a phrase from the show will help you practise your spoken Italian.

Best Italian Series on Netflix to Learn Italian

You can learn beginner Italian through many TV shows like Odio il Natale . Here’s a selection of some great Italian series for beginners:

1. Summertime: Set on Italy’s beautiful Adriatic coast, Summertime follows the love story between Summer and Ale and is full of everyday conversational Italian, making it ideal for beginners looking to learn casual dialogue and modern slang used by young Italians. 
2. Medici: Masters of Florence: This historical drama explores the rise of the powerful Medici family in Renaissance Florence. As you follow their political and cultural influence, you’ll learn Italian vocabulary related to art, politics, and daily life during this fascinating period.
3. Suburra: If you are interested in action and crime, Suburra is the right choice for you. This show, set in Rome, depicts the power struggles between church, state, and organized crime. However, it is fast-paced and uses real-world slang, making it more suitable for intermediate learners. However, if you are a beginner, you can still benefit from the exposure to authentic Italian.

Conclusion

Learning Italian through TV shows like Odio il Natale is not just about understanding words—it’s about immersing yourself in the culture, traditions, and the true spirit of Italy. By engaging with authentic content and using personalized learning tools like Jolii, you can accelerate your language skills in a fun and effective way. 

Whether you’re dreaming of a future in Italy or simply want to appreciate its culture more deeply, there’s no better time to start learning Italian. So, what are you waiting for? Begin your Italian journey today with Jolii and take your language learning to the next level! 

BONUS: 3 Italian Christmas Songs to Learn Italian This Year.

Did you know? With Jolii, you can practice by watching TV shows and Italian YouTubers.. So, here are three famous Italian Christmas songs to get you into the holiday spirit! We recommend downloading Jolii, importing the music, and starting to sing along with their lyrics!

1. A Natale Puoi : Originally part of a TV commercial, the song quickly became a classic Christmas hit. https://youtu.be/CJ6RtxNo78w?si=0jTE32RRmSplWyr6 
2. Din Don Dan: The Italian version of the classic “Jingle Bells” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHKdd2Veh_w 
3. Bianco Natale : Another classical song that every Italian knows: https://youtu.be/wRlkmYt23oM?si=Y_fSE2vXBvhu931Q 

FAQs

Q: Is there any series on Netflix that can help you learn Italian?

A: Netflix has many series that can help you learn the Italian language. The key is finding the series that is right for you. While considering which series to watch, it’s crucial that you look for something you truly enjoy and that is appropriate for your level. The Jolii language learning app can help you practice and retain what you have learned by creating custom exercises that align with your Italian level and your learning style. 

Q: Is Italian hard to learn?
A: For English speakers, Italian is considered the 6th easiest language to learn, after Frisian, Norwegian, Dutch, Spanish, and Portuguese. No matter how hard or easy a language is, having the right learning tools can really make a big difference!! Download Jolii today and enjoy learning Italian through content you truly enjoy.

Q: Is French or Italian easier to learn?
A: Both French and Italian share the same origins and, together with other languages like Spanish and Portuguese, are known as Romance Languages. Despite their similarities, French is generally considered harder to learn, mainly because of its difficult pronunciation and writing rules. If you are unsure which one to learn, you can try both on Jolii and then continue with whichever you like the most!

Q: What Italian holiday traditions are mentioned in the Odio il Natale?

A: In Odio il Natale you will encounter several Italian holiday traditions, and you will get a sense of how Natale is in Italy. From family gatherings to Christmas decorations and typical Christmas food like Panettone, this show gives you an understanding of how Christmas is traditionally celebrated in Italian families. Plus, with the Jolii app, you can practice Christmas vocabulary from the show, learning Italian while enjoying holiday traditions on screen!

Q: What are some of the traditional foods that are shown in the Netflix series “I Hate Christmas”?

A: You will encounter some typical Christmas foods like Panettone, a sweet cake that symbolizes the Christmas holidays in the show. You might also spot other Italian Christmas dishes, such as tortellini in brodo (tortellini in broth) or pasta al forno (baked pasta), which are always present during holiday celebrations.

Q: What is Epiphany, and why is it celebrated in Italy?

A: Epiphany, celebrated on January 6th, marks the end of the Christmas period and celebrates the visit of the three wise men to the infant Jesus. According to the tradition, in Italy, on that day comes La Befana, a good witch flying on a broom, who brings candies and sweets to children who have been good and leaves coal to those who haven’t.