My grandmother is ninety years old and is still very active.
'Novant'anni' = no-VANT-an-nee — the elision drops the final 'a' of 'novanta' before 'anni'. 'Attivissima' = at-tee-VEES-see-ma — superlative of 'attiva'.
Share with pride when discussing elderly family members. In Italy, a very active grandparent is a source of enormous family pride — longevity combined with vitality is celebrated.
'Novant'anni' = elision of 'novanta anni.' 'Ed' before a vowel replaces 'e' (and). 'Attivissima' is the absolute superlative of 'attiva' (active) — formed by adding '-issima' to the adjective stem. Used only in informal, spoken Italian.
Ha ancora la lucidità di quando aveva sessant'anni.
She still has the sharpness of when she was sixty.
'Lucidità' (mental sharpness) — valued greatly in Italian culture.
Va ancora al mercato ogni mattina da sola.
She still goes to the market every morning alone.
Specific daily activity that signals independence and vitality.
È lei che tiene unita la famiglia.
She's the one who keeps the family together.
The matriarch role — a powerful and respected family position in Italian culture.
The 'nonna attivissima' (very active grandmother) is a beloved Italian archetype — still cooking, gardening, and hosting at advanced age. Their supposed secret (red wine, olive oil, good food, family) is always enthusiastically shared.