Mi piace occuparmi del giardino.

I like taking care of the garden.

Pronunciation

'Occuparmi' = oc-cu-PAR-mi. 'Giardino' = giar-DI-no.

When to use it

Use this for gardening as a hobby, specifically flower or ornamental gardening (contrast with 'orto' for vegetables). It is a very popular Italian hobby, especially among the retired population but increasingly among younger urbanites with balconies.

What it means

'Occuparsi di' + noun means 'to take care of / to deal with'. It is a reflexive construction: mi occupo (I take care), ti occupi (you take care). It is used for responsibilities as well as hobbies.

Variations

Ho un giardino pieno di rose.

I have a garden full of roses.

Roses are particularly beloved in Italian gardens

Coltivo piante aromatiche sul balcone.

I grow aromatic plants on the balcony.

Balcony gardening for apartment dwellers

Il giardinaggio mi aiuta a dimenticare i problemi.

Gardening helps me forget my problems.

Therapeutic dimension

Mini Dialogue

— Come passi i pomeriggi? — Mi piace occuparmi del giardino. — Cosa coltivi? — Rose, lavanda e qualche albero da frutto. È il mio paradiso.

— How do you spend your afternoons? — I like taking care of the garden. — What do you grow? — Roses, lavender and some fruit trees. It is my paradise.

Cultural Note

Italian gardens ('giardini italiani') are world-famous for their formal geometric design — the Villa d'Este in Tivoli and the Boboli Gardens in Florence are iconic examples. However, informal cottage gardens with roses and fruit trees are equally beloved and typical of Italian countryside homes.

← Previous

Faccio patchwork e cucito creativo.

Faccio vela d'estate sul lago.

← All phrases: Talking About Hobbies