andare per mare
Lemma: andare per mare
Translation: to go to sea; to sail; to navigate (phrase)
Etymology: This phrase combines 'andare' (to go), which comes from Latin 'ambulare' (to walk), with 'per' (through, by) from Latin 'per', and 'mare' (sea) from Latin 'mare'. The expression literally means 'to go through the sea' and has evolved to describe the act of sailing or navigating waters.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'mare' sounding like 'mar' in 'maritime' to remember it relates to sea travel.
- Visualize someone walking ('andare') across ('per') the sea ('mare') on a boat.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
Italy has a rich maritime history, with many coastal cities having strong seafaring traditions. 'Andare per mare' reflects the importance of sea travel and navigation in Italian culture, from ancient Roman times through the maritime republics of Venice and Genoa to modern times.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: 'Andare per mare' means to sail or navigate the sea, while 'andare al mare' means to go to the seaside or beach as a visitor or tourist.
Confused word:
In estate andiamo al mare per le vacanze.
In summer we go to the seaside for vacation.
Notes: The preposition makes a significant difference in meaning: 'per' indicates movement through or across the sea itself, while 'al' indicates movement toward the sea as a destination.
Mnemonic: 'Per mare' (through the sea) involves being ON the water; 'al mare' (to the sea) means going TO the water's edge.