dolce far niente
- noun
- /ˈdoʊlʧeɪ fɑr niˈɛnteɪ/
:
dolce far niente
- 139 dolce far niente - (Ital.) "Leisure is sweet."
Examples
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In Italy, enjoying dolce far niente is a cherished tradition, where the simple pleasure of relaxation takes center stage.
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During the summer, many people indulge in dolce far niente while lounging by the pool.
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After weeks of hard work, she finally embraced dolce far niente, savoring moments of complete relaxation.
Synonyms
48
4.4
A calm, peaceful feeling without worry
3
8.0
A calm, peaceful feeling or time
Being without worries or responsibilities and feeling happy
A calm, comfortable state with little worry or stress
Antonyms
How Relaxed
Surface Forms
Morphology
dolce + far + niente
Although the components are Italian rather than English, if a learner knows the constituent meanings (dolce = sweet, far = to do, niente = nothing) the phrase literally conveys 'the sweetness of doing nothing' and therefore directly maps onto pleasant idleness. The expression is compositional and its overall meaning can be inferred from the parts, so it is transparent to learners who know the constituents.
Etymology
Dolce far niente is an Italian phrase that literally means dolce 'sweet', far 'to do', and niente 'nothing', and it paints the picture of sitting in the sun with no work, enjoying quiet rest. That's why it means 'pleasant idleness and carefree relaxation'.