Hello! I have an Italian question. In response to "Che

Hello! I have an Italian question. In response to “Che stai facendo?” This sentence appears in a dialogue: “Niente, stavo solo girando da queste parti”. I know what all the words mean individually but I’m confused what they mean together in full sentence. Does anyone know? Grazie!

Literally it means " Nothing, just doing a tour/ taking a spin around here ". Da queste parti = in this area. Hope it helps !

1 Like

Thanks so much! It does, but I’m still slightly confused. Is the speaker just hanging around a certain place and not doing anything? In English, when someone says “to take (or to go) for a spin,” they’re usually referring to driving in a car, but I don’t think that would fit the context of the dialogue. That’s why I’m asking. I’ve heard that “girare” can also have the same meaning as “vagare” (to wander). This would make the most sense to me. From what I can tell, the speaker is essentially saying that he is “wandering around aimlessly”

viaggiare

Yes, girare means that and it can be used as in taking a spin with a car or, as you said, wandering aimlessly and that is why I had time thinking of a correct translation. Btw, keep that expression " Niente " handy it is used a lot in conversation ! It is used a little randomly though.

1 Like

Q. Hey, What are doing?
A. Nothing, I was just hanging around (these parts). I was thinking about playing some video games.

‘da questi parti’ limits ‘girando’ to the immediate vicinity.

http://www.wordreference.com/iten/niente
http://www.wordreference.com/iten/girare
http://www.wordreference.com/iten/da%20queste%20parti

2 Likes