128 Comments
LOL :) Actually, I'm currently in a place where we have "whale watching trips"...so, ya never know! Maybe I should take one, and hope I meet some touristi Italiani onboard so I can practice my newfound knowledge!
I was imagining talking to a very oblivious person about the whale in the room. "did you notice the whale over there?" "Oh, what whale?"
I had a vision of someone standing under a falling whale. "Look out for that whale!" they cry ...
1335
Me to wife : il mio cappotto è nella balena. Her reply : Quale balena?
If you see a lot of Americans at restaurants, this question becomes almost necessary.
- 187
because we eat 'em, right? surely you couldn't have been referring to our obesity.
This is one of the most common questions now! Say "Which whale". Type "Which whale". Translate "which whale". Is this a key question in Italy?
I really think that it doesn't really matter, as Duolingo is not an conversation guide, but a long term solution. So, with this question, the main purpose is to practice the vocabulary and the grammar using some easy sentences. So, the mnemonics will help you remember the words and the grammar will allow you to construct intelligent sentences instead of just learning them by hearth.
does it make sense to just say "quale?" if you want to ask "which one?", or do you have to have a word after "quale" for it to make sense?
I read your comment and immediately thought "You spelled whale wrong, and of course it wouldn't make sense to just say 'Whale.'" But uh, oops.
I see your question now. And you should be able to just say "Quale?" as long as what you're referring to, like in English, has already been mentioned and it's clear what you're talking about (unless you really want to confuse people and just go around saying "Quale?" without any context).
just found out another suggested translation for balena is "fatty" XD did anyone else notice this??
I love how 'balena' is such a pretty word and reminds me of a delicate ballerina but its really just 'whale'
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Here's a lingot for making me laugh out loud. There are so many funny words in languages. One of my favourites is 'pedagogy' which sounds like some form of perversion rather than an educational method.
I really needed this weird sentance today. I have so many final projects, papers & exams due today & Wed. Thanks so much for the laughs Duo & commenters.
Because quale isn't an adjective, it doesn't change for different genders or for plurals.
- 105
You are right that quale doesn't change for different genders. But quale does change for plurals! Quale balena - which wale but quali balene - which wales
I think this us an age old saying from the citizens of the city if Nineveh, when they met Yona, who told them the ling tale if being swallowed up by that life-saving whale. Ans they must have asked: Quale balena?. Look it up in the Bible!
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I know the story of Jonas very well Marcelle. I think it's an ingenious theory. Thank you.
Is it actually the correct sentence ??? Because, maybe I'm studying English for too long, but I really miss something is this nonsense: Which whale???? And that's it ???? No verb needed ??
- 389
It is correct, but you're quite right in picking up that it is not, strictly speaking a sentence. A sentence definitely needs a verb as you already know. I suppose we could call it an interrogative phrase. But it is the way English is used very often and you will even find this sort of thing in books and articles. You and your friend are watching the ocean and she says 'Did you see that whale?' To which you reply with the question, 'Which whale?'
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These nonsense sentences/expressions are here as part of a lesson. They are not to be meant as literature. And if you are new be prepared for even more and some really funny ones. We're here to learn how to put words together. It's only the beginning.
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I love how an alternate translation for "balena" is "fatty". Duolingo makes me laugh a good deal.
"Fatty"? Really? Unnecessary definition. Do we also have that under "pig" and "cow"? How about "elephant"?
You are all so wrong messing around whith this serious question! Imagine instead of sharknado you are in a whalenado! You will be very happy then to be able to use the right words!
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it helps to remember the word as it sounds similar and it is a nice whale
Did any one else feel like the speaker mispronounced "balena" as she stressed the "l" as if it was the double "l" stress and pronounced the "e" as if it were "i."
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Because there is no verb 'to be' nor article 'la' in the Italian phrase 'Quale balena.'
your whale, of course....yeah I know, they're awefully fat. (Hehe my improve of being snarky.)
A great sentence to learn if you're planning on become a marine biologist in Italy. ...Which I'm guessing most people aren't.
A legit question if you want to find out who the king of whales is ... ;-)
- 1873
Chi ha bisogno di questa frasa in italiano? Sicuramente le balene non parlano italiano: whales speak Whelsh . . . Ho sbagliato?
Remove the "e" and you have "qual" in Spanish and Portuguese. It's the same meaning. :)
And these remarks are why it will now take me 3 times longer to learn Italian
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You've got to be kidding! The nonsense sentences (or apparently nonsense sentences) are the most fun in this course.
Of course I'm kidding. Because of these awesome responses, my time is now being spent enjoying them instead of the course
I seriously thought the answer would be "which one is whale" cz "which whale" is just non sense. Who the hell will ask something like that?
Why are DL obsessed with this blasted whale?? It's come up countless times in my lessons, and it's one question I will never be asking
Someday, when you're traveling in Italy, someone will run up and tell you about the whale that ran off with your wallet. Then you'll be glad that you learned this important sentence. Until then it's just a sample sentence to practice vocabulary.
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Seriously--so why are you asking now?? Duo knows before you do what you'll be asking. ;-))
