Watch out for sunstroke!
'Colpo di sole' — COL-po di SO-le. Three words, each with clear stress. 'Colpo' = blow/stroke.
Use to warn someone about the dangers of sun exposure — particularly relevant for children, the elderly, and fair-skinned people at the beach or during outdoor events.
'Colpo di sole' (sunstroke — literally 'blow of the sun') is taken extremely seriously in Italian culture. It's considered a genuine medical emergency and Italians are cautious about sun exposure, especially at midday.
Mettiti la crema solare!
Put on your sunscreen!
'Crema solare' (sun cream) — recommended strenuously, especially for children
Copri la testa, mi raccomando.
Cover your head, please.
'Mi raccomando' is an Italian plea/reminder — literally 'I recommend it to you'
Evita il sole nelle ore più calde.
Avoid the sun during the hottest hours.
Standard Italian health advice for summer — hottest hours are 12pm-4pm
'Colpo di sole' and 'colpo d'aria' (air blow = catching a cold from a draught) are the two weather-related health threats that Italian culture takes most seriously. Many Italian parents and grandparents view both with almost superstitious concern.