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PhrasesTalking About WeatherTira tramontana, copritevi bene.
B1

Tira tramontana, copritevi bene.

The tramontane wind is blowing, wrap up well.

Pronunciation

'Tramontana' — tra-mon-TA-na. Stress on the third syllable. It's a proper name so always capitalised when referring to the specific wind.

When to use it

Use in central and northern Italy when the cold northerly wind blows. The tramontana is associated with clear but freezing conditions — bone-chilling cold.

What it means

'Tirare' in weather contexts means 'to blow' (of wind). 'Tira tramontana' = 'the tramontane is blowing'. 'Copritevi bene' = 'cover yourselves well' — wrap up. This phrase has a parental, protective quality.

Variations

C'è la Bora oggi.

There's the Bora today.

'Bora' is the fierce wind around Trieste — so strong it has ropes in the streets to hold onto

Un vento gelido dal nord.

A freezing wind from the north.

Geographic description of wind origin — common in Italian weather reports

Il vento taglia la faccia.

The wind cuts your face.

'Tagliare la faccia' (to cut the face) — standard Italian description of biting cold wind

Mini Dialogue

— Usciamo a fare due passi? — Tira tramontana, copritevi bene. — Quanto fa? — Il meteo dice meno tre con il vento. Sembreranno meno dieci.

— Shall we go for a short walk? — The tramontane is blowing, wrap up well. — How cold is it? — The forecast says minus three with wind. It'll feel like minus ten.

Cultural Note

Italy's regional winds have distinct personalities in local culture. In some towns, the Bora (Trieste) or the Tramontana are almost mythologised — blamed for everything from headaches to bad moods ('il vento mi fa impazzire' = the wind drives me crazy).