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PhrasesTalking About WeatherSta nevicando!
A1

Sta nevicando!

It's snowing!

Pronunciation

'Nevicando' — ne-vi-CAN-do. Stress on the third syllable. 'Ne' — short 'e'. 'Nevi' comes from 'neve' (snow).

When to use it

Use when snow is falling. In most Italian cities, snow is rare and causes excitement or chaos — or both. In mountain areas and northern cities it's more expected.

What it means

'Nevicando' is the gerund of 'nevicare' (to snow). 'Sta nevicando' uses the 'stare + gerundio' construction for present continuous — an action happening right now. The root 'neve' (snow) appears in the verb.

Variations

Ha nevicato stanotte.

It snowed last night.

Past event — 'ha nevicato' uses 'avere' (not 'essere') despite seeming intransitive

È tutto bianco!

Everything is white!

Exclamatory reaction to snowfall — childlike joy that Italians of all ages express

La neve ha bloccato le strade.

The snow has blocked the roads.

Practical consequence — snow chaos is real even in northern Italian cities

Mini Dialogue

— Guarda fuori! Sta nevicando! — È tutto bianco! Non me l'aspettavo! — Bella la neve quando la si guarda da dentro. — Già, meno bella quando devi uscire.

— Look outside! It's snowing! — Everything is white! I didn't expect it! — Snow is beautiful when you look at it from inside. — Yes, less beautiful when you have to go out.

Cultural Note

Snow in Rome (rare) or Florence becomes national news. Even a light dusting shuts schools and causes traffic paralysis. Northern Italians find southern Italians' reaction to minor snow both amusing and baffling.