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"… I say, then, that perhaps those are not wrong who claim that the Bolognese speak a more beautiful language than most, especially since they take many features of their own speech from that of the people who live around them, in Imola, Ferrara and Modena I believe that everybody does this with respect to his own neighbours.... So the above-mentioned citizens of Bologna take a soft, yielding quality from those of Imola, and from the people of Ferrara and Modena, on the other hand, a certain abruptness which is more typical of the Lombards.... If, then, the Bolognese take from all sides, as I have said, it seems reasonable to suggest that their language, tempered by the combination of opposites mentioned above, should achieve a praiseworthy degree of elegance; and this, in my opinion, is beyond doubt true." (Dante Alighieri, De vulgari eloquentia - Liber I, xv, 2-5)
Middle Ages
Bolognese evolved a group of Gallo-Romance languages sharing features with neighbouring northern Italian languages. It developed more distinctly into the Middle Ages as a dialect of the Emilian language. During the High Middle Ages, a number of troubadours composing lyrical poetry were active in Bologna, especially during the 13th century. That served to raise cultural awareness to the possibility of composing songs, poems and other works in vernacular languages. One of the first references to Bolognese as a distinct language was made by Dante Alighieri, in his De vulgari eloquentia, written in the beginning of the 14th century.
Modern
During the boom of interest in linguistic diversity during the 19th century, a number of efforts were made to create vocabularies, grammars, and collections of axioms, folk tales, and literature. The first dictionary was compiled in 1901 by Gaspare Ungarelli, who also attempted to create a writing system using the Italian alphabet. A period of stigmatisation followed in the 20th century, where children were punished for speaking the dialect in school,[citation needed] as it was considered to be a sign of poor education and etiquette.[citation needed]
In 1964, Alberto Menarini proposed an alphabet with many of the same letters still used. In recent times, Bolognese has enjoyed a period of rebirth with some words, such as umarell, derived from Bolognese umarèl, becoming popular beyond Bologna itself.[2]
Phonology
Here are some prominent features of Bolognese phonology:[3]
centralized vowels [ɐ], [e̠], [ɛ̠], [i̠], [o̟], [ɔ̟], [ʌ̟] and [u̟] rather than /a/, /e/, /ɛ/, /i/, /o/, /ɔ/, /ʌ/ or /u/
phonemic distinction between short vowels and corresponding long vowels/diphthongs
nucleus vowel and coda consonant length having an inverse relationship
syncopation resulting in complex consonant clusters
frequent slacking of word-final voiceless obstruents
more exaggerated intonation than in Italian[citation needed]
The phonemes of Bolognese are realized phonetically very differently depending on the area in or around Bologna. Much free variation occurs in words from complex phonological processes.
Bolognese dialect has 2 diphthongs, namely /ai/ and /ʌu/.
Phonotactics
The general syllable structure of Bolognese syllables is:
(S)(C)(C)(V)V(C)(C)
S – either s or ṡ, and rarely f or p
C – consonant
V – vowel
Thus, Bolognese words can have up to three consonants in the initial group (e.g. ṡżlèr, ṡgrinzlîr, ṡbléṡṡg, spzèr, strén, scrîver, sfrunblè, ftléṅna, ftièri, friulàn, ptrugnàn, pscarî, pznén) and two consonants in the final group (e.g. gnanc, rimôrs, månnd, cunfinànt, pèrt) (impermissible consonant combination will result in anaptyxis). Bolognese only allows 2 diphthongs namely /ai/ and /ʌu/ (e.g. cåurs, intåurn, ataiṡ, raiga). Orthographically, three consonants can exist simultaneously on coda (dåntr, cåntr, nòstr, sänpr as syncopic forms of dånter, cånter, nòster, sänper). However, it must be noted that it arises from -er only when the next word starts with a vowel and in actuality it's pronounced /-ŋ.(C)r(V)./
On monosyllabic words, accents are not marked if a word ends in a consonant: can, sacc. However, it is marked if it ends in a vowel pà, rà.
The vowel å and ä are always stressed including the diphthong åu and ai (or ou and äi in the countryside). If another vowel is accented alongside ai, then the diphthong ai is not stressed, for example: maicàtt. This rule doesn't apply on the article äl(i) (since articles are never stressed) and compound words such as såuranómm where the stress falls on ó.
The vowel í and ú are only used for loanwords to indicate stressed short i and u. For example: chíllo, carbúrro
Consonant
Letter
Name
IPA
Example
c (1)(3) - ch (2)
c dûra
/k/
calè, pchèr, ch'as, bajûc, trócc
c (2) - ci (1) - c' (3)
c dåulz
/ts/
cén, ciâpa, inbac'lèr, uràcc'
g (1)(3) - gh (2)
g dûra
/g/
ṡganbilèr, zighèla, brèg, dégg
g (2) - gi (1) - g' (3)
g dåulza
/dz/
ṡgâget, giósst, curâg', dågg'
gn
gn dåulza
/ɲ/
sgnåur, Raggn
gli
gl dåulza
/ʎ/
ṡbaglièr, incâglia, Emégglia
n (1)(2) - nn (3)
n
/n/
anâdra, scaldénn, månnd, cân
n (3)
n vlèr
/ŋ/
canvèr, scaldén, mand, påndg
ṅ (ṅn)
n vlèr
/ŋ.n/
curéṅna, ftléṅni
s
s såurda
/s/
sôrbel, papóss
ṡ
s sunôra
/z/
cûṡer, armàṡṡd
z
z såurda
/θ/
aziån, znèr, siucarézzi, ṡbózz
ż
z sunôra
/ð/
żûg, żnèr, ancóżżen, ṡmanàżż
j
j
/j/
tâja, tajja
s-ci
/sts/
s-ciavvd, s-ciôṡ, s-ciuptè
ṡ-gi
/zdz/
ṡ-giazèr, ṡ-girundlèr, ṡ-giusèr
g-li
/g.li/
neg-ligiänt
(1) Followed by a, o, u
(2) Followed by i, e
(3) End of a syllable (coda) or followed by consonant
The letter n is pronounced /n/ before vowels and after long vowels. nn digraph is pronounced /n/.
The letter n is pronounced /ŋ/ finally or before consonants (including n however, in this case it's represented ṅn orthographically). /ŋ/ is lengthened after stressed vowel.
The letter q is only used in the beginning of words. Therefore, it's written quâter but âcua.
The letter j is only used between vowels. Therefore, it's written tâja, tajja but tâi, tai.
The digraph ṅn is only used for feminine nouns.
The trigraph gli is never found on native Bolognese words as Italian gli corresponds to j in Bolognese. They are found in Italian loanwords for example butigliéṅna (bottiglina), sêglier (scegliere), bigliàtt (biglietto) and names such as Itâglia (Italia), Emégglia (Emilia), Giógglia (Giulia).
Short vowels are always followed by a long consonant, and vice versa. For example: sacc and sâc, méll and mêl, córr and côr. This rule doesn't apply on compound words such as peppacûl.
In some words, /ts/ and /dz/ can be written as ts/ds and dṡ thus reflecting its etymology and pronunciation. For example: tstón = c'tón, dscårrer = c'cårrer, dṡdétta = g'détta
Palatization of l and n frequently occurs before the pronoun i and on articles such as äli ôv, däli ôv. Example: al i à détt ch'a n i vâg pió is pronounced /aʎ.ʎi.adˈdetː kaɲ.ɲiˈvaːg ˈpjo/
The dropping of the last vowel in a word is indicated with an apostrophe. For example: ch'al séppa, s'a l savêva, l'ôca, lî l'é, sått'âcua (apocopic forms of che, se, la, la, såtta). However, if the vowel is located at the beginning of a word, it is generally unmarked. For example: d avréll, l èṡen, ló l é, csa vût (apheresis forms of ed, al, al, syncopic forms of cusa).
Grammar
Noun
Bolognese distinguishes two genders, masculine and feminine, and two numbers, single and plural. In most nouns, the suffix -a is added to the masculine word to indicate femininity: defizänt, defizänta; påndg, påndga.
The formation of Bolognese plurals is complicated. Unlike Italian, inflection usually happens not by adding suffixes but rather by apophony:
å → ó: biånnd, "blond", biónnd, "blonds"
ô → û: żnôc', "knee", żnûc', "knees"
However, when words that end with -èl or -ôl are pluralised, the -èl or -ôl is changed to -î and -û respectively: martèl, "hammer", martî, "hammers"; fiôl, "son", fiû "sons". There are some exceptions to that rule, such as nurmèl, "normal", which is unchanged when made plural, and some others, such as sàntel, "godfather", which are unchanged when made plural because words are not truncated, that is, with a stress that does not fall on è or ô.
Masculine words that end in a consonant are unchanged when made plural and so the number can be identified only by the preceding article: al râm, "the branch", i râm, "the branches". In addition, pluralised feminine words that are not constructed from a masculine word do not have an -a: la rôda, "the wheel", äl rôd, "the wheels". The plurals of feminine words constructed from masculine words are formed by using an -i instead of an -a: biånnda, "blonde", biånndi, "blondes"; ziéṅna "aunt", ziéṅni, "aunts".
Masculine
Feminine
Masculine
Feminine
Meaning
-én
-éṅna
cinén
cinéṅna
piccolo
-ån
-åṅna
padrån
padråṅna
padrone
-ói
-ójja
mói
mójja
bagnato
-an
-èna
san
sèna
sano
C+el
C+la
dàbbel
dabbla
debole
C+en
C+na
intêren
intêrna
interno
C+er
C+ra
naigher
naigra
nero
c'
cia
vèc'
vècia
vecchio
Exception: bån, bôna
Masculine
Singular
Plural
Singular
Plural
Notes
-à-
-é-
al saggn
i séggn
Exception for -an- where it's invariable
-än-
-én-
al dänt
i dént
-àtt
-étt
al casàtt
i casétt
-ai-
-î-
al vaider
i vîder
-ån-
-ón-
al limån
i limón
-åu-
-û-
al fiåur
i fiûr
-ôl
-û
al fiôl
i fiû
-èc’
-îc’
al spèc’
i spîc’
-èz
-îz
al pèz
i pîz
-èż
-îż
al mèż
i mîż
-èl
-î
al canèl
i canî
From Vulgar Latin -ello.
-èl
al canèl
i canèl
From Vulgar Latin -ale.
Ending in vowels
al dócca
i dócca
Invariable
al cínno
i cínno
al comunéssta
i comunéssta
Other cases
al gât
i gât
Invariable
al can
i can
al zîl
i zîl
No observable patterns exist for ô or ò. Sometimes stressed ô or ò turns into û on plural forms for example: al ciôd - i ciûd and al òc' - i ûc'. Other times it is invariable for example: al sôld - i sôld and l òmen - i òmen.
Feminine
Singular
Plural
Singular
Plural
Notes
Ends in a
Drops a
la scrâna
äl scrân
Ends in unstressed a
la vâca
äl vâc
Ends in a
Ends in i
la gâta
äl gâti
Feminine noun derived from masculine noun
la quajåṅna
äl quajåṅni
C+la
C+el
la nóvvla
äl nóvvel
C+na
C+en
la cavêrna
äl cavêren
C+ra
C+er
la fîvra
äl fîver
C+ma
C+um
l’ânma
äli ânum
C+va
C+uv
la cunsêrva
äl cunsêruv
End in stressed syllable
la situaziån
äl situaziån
Invariable
la trunè
äl trunè
la våuṡ
äl våuṡ
la pû
äl pû
la cà
äl cà
Alteration
Alteration is the formation of words from others that are not changed in their fundamental features; instead, the way in which the concept is considered changes.
Alteration
Bolognese
Italian
Suffix
Masculine
Feminine
Suffix
Masculine
Feminine
Nominative
cavâl
bistiôla
cavallo
bestiola
Diminutive
-én
cavalén
bistiéṅna
-ino
cavallino
bestiolina
Vezzeggiativo
-ózz
cavalózz
bistiózza
-uccio
cavalluccio
bestiuccio
-òt
cavalòt
bistiòta
-otto
cavallotto
bestiotta
-àtt
cavalàtt
bistiatta
-etto
cavalletto
bestietta
-ôl
cavalôl
bistiôla
-olo
cavallolo
bestiola
-èl
-ello
Augmentative
-ån
cavalån
bistiåṅna
-one
cavallone
bestiona
Pejorative
-âz
cavalâz
bistiâza
-accio
cavallaccio
bestiaccia
The alterations can be added together to form chains:
The alteration suffix is always stressed. Therefore, metaphony occurs:
åura, uratta = ora, oretta
dòna, dunèla = donna, donnina
fiåur, fiurlén = fiore, fiorellino
vaider, vidrén = vetro, vetrino
Often alterations change the gender of words:
la dòna, al dunén, al dunån = la donna, la donnina, la donnona
la mâchina, al machinén, al machinån = l’auto, la piccola auto, la grande auto
l’unbrèla, l unbarlén, l unbarlån = l’ombrello, l’ombrellino, l’ombrellone
Adjectives
Adjective become the feminine form by adding -a to masculine, therefore they form plural similar to feminine nouns derived from masculine nouns.
Singular: un gât grand (masculine), una gâta granda (feminine)
Plural: dû gât grand (masculine), dåu gâti grandi (feminine)
Singular: un ragâz bèl (masculine), una ragâza bèla (feminine)
Plural: dû ragâz bî (masculine), dåu ragâzi bèli (feminine)
Masculine
Feminine
Singular
Plural
Singular
Plural
sutîl
sutîla
sutîl
sutîli
difézzil
difézzil
difézzil
difézzili
uriginèl
uriginèl
uriginèl
uriginèl(i)
Adjective Order:
1. Some adjective (such as the one pertaining to orders) must go before the noun:
al mî ûltum viâż = il mio ultimo viaggio
al nòster prémm fiôl = il nostro primo figlio
al tô ex maré = il suo ex marito
2. Other adjectives can go before or after the noun in Italian, while in Bolognese it is preferable to put them after:
l à fât una léssta lónga = ha fatto una lunga lista
l à cunprè la mâchina nôva = ha preso la nuova auto
i én parté pr un viâż cûrt = sono partiti per un breve viaggio
i an catè un apartamänt cinén = hanno trovato un piccolo appartamento
Exception for vèg = strano
l é un vèg fât = è un fatto strano / è uno strano fatto
l é un vèg sugèt = è uno strano tipo
3. Some adjectives are often placed before the noun as in Italian because by putting them after the noun, a slight variation in meaning would be obtained:
After
Before
Bolognese
Italian
English
Bolognese
Italian
English
un òmen grand
un omone
a big (size) man
un gran òmen
un grand’uomo
a great man
un sumâr grand
un asino grande
a big (size) donkey
un gran sumâr
un asino matricolato
a capable donkey
un can brótt
un cane brutto
an ugly dog
un brótt can
un cagnaccio
a despicable dog
un òmen puvràtt
un uomo povero
an economically poor man
un pôvr òmen
un pover’uomo
a man in poor condition
un amîg vèc’
un amico Vecchio
an old (age) friend
un vèc’ amîg
un vecchio amico
an old friend
These adjectives placed before the noun actually very often have a figurative meaning. “Grand” more often expresses quality than size. Brótt does not necessarily express aesthetic ugliness but a generic pejorative “-accio” (“-âz” in Bolognese). Puvràtt does not express little wealth, but an unhappy condition.
4. To express dimensions (both large and small), in Bolognese, it is preferable to use the augmentative –ån, -åna and the diminutive én, éna, àtt, àtta, etc.
Therefore, to say “a small house” would be “una caṡlatta” and certainly not “una cén cà”!
Even figurative expressions (a little help, a little stylist) should be translated with a few turns of phrase: (un pôc d’ajût, un stiléssta in fâza)
Superlativo
Superlativo Assoluto
Superlativo Assoluto
Grand
Spass
Cuntänt
Bèl
Èlt
Fén
Brótt
Bån
Dåulz
Dûr
Singular
Masculine
grandéssum
speséssum
cuntintéssum
beléssum
altéssum
finéssum
brutéssum
bunéssum
dulzéssum
duréssum
Feminine
grandéssima
speséssima
cuntintéssima
beléssima
altéssima
finéssima
brutéssima
bunéssima
dulzéssima
duréssima
Plural
Masculine
grandéssum
speséssum
cuntintéssum
beléssum
altéssum
finéssum
brutéssum
bunéssum
dulzéssum
duréssum
Feminine
grandéssimi
speséssimi
cuntintéssimi
beléssim
altéssimi
finéssimi
brutéssimi
bunéssimi
dulzéssimi
duréssimi
Superlativo Relativo
article + pió + noun + ed
l’é la pió brèva dla clâs = è la più brava della classe
l é al pió inṡmé dal pajaiṡ = è il più fesso di tutto il paese
al pió baciócc ed tótt l ufézzi = il più scemo di tutto l’ufficio
Special forms
meglio / migliore
l é méi = è meglio
l é al miåur / l’é la miåura = è il / la migliore
al żugadåur miåur = il giocatore migliore
la żugadåura miåura = la giocatrice migliore
i żugadûr miûr = i giocatori migliori
äl żugadåuri miåuri = le giocatrici migliori
peggio / peggiore
l é pîz = è peggio
l é al / l’é la pîz = è il / la peggiore
Article
Pronoun
Definite
Indefinite
singular
masculine
al/l
un
feminine
la/l'
(u)na
plural
masculine
i
di
feminine
äl(i)
däl(i)
Orthographic rules
Article
Before consonant
Before vowel
definite
masculine
al fiåur, al studänt
l òmen, l ân
feminine
la tuṡatta, la cà
l'åura, l'ôca
indefinite
masculine
un fiåur, un studänt
un òmen, un ân
feminine
una tuṡatta, una cà
un'åura, un'ôca
plural
masculine
i fiûr, i studént
i òmen, i ân
feminine
äl tuṡatt, äl cà
äli åur, äli ôc
Combination with preposition
Preposition
al
l
la
l'
i
äl
äli
ed
dal
dl
dla
dl'
di
däl
däli
a
al
al
ala
al'
ai
al
ali
da
dal
dal
dala
dal'
dai
dal
dali
par
pr al
par l
par la
par l'
pr i
pr äl
pr äli
con
con al
con l
con la
con l'
coi
col
coli
in
int al
int l
int la
int l'
int i
int äl
int äli
só
só l
só l
só la
só l'
só i
só l
sóli
Orthographic rules:
The preposition in is written int before definite and indefinite articles and in elsewhere.
The preposition ed is written d before words starting with vowels and ed elsewhere.
The preposition par is written pr before words starting with vowels and par elsewhere.
Partitive
The plural of the articles un, una, does not exist. Instead, the partitive is used, consisting of the articulated forms of the preposition ed, or the adjective socuànt/socuànti (alcuni/alcune) “some”:
Bolognese
Italian
Masculine
Feminine
Masculine
Feminine
di cunén
däl vâc
däli èv
dei conigli
delle mucche
delle api
socuànt cunén
socuànti vâc
socuànti èv
alcuni conigli
alcune mucche
alcune api
In negative sentences, the partitive is used without the article (ed + noun), as in French.
an i é brîṡa ed zóccher = non c’è zucchero
la n pôl brîṡa avair ed fiû = non può avere figli
In Bolognese, the partitive is used more often than in Italian:
con di sû amîg = con alcuni suoi amici
i vànden di lanpadèri e dla ròba da elètrica = vendono lampadari e attrezzature elettriche
a mâgn däl pan con däl salâm = mangio pane e salame
Pronoun
Personal Pronoun
Number
Nominative
Verbal Pronoun
Interrogative suffix
Dative
Con +
Possessive Adjective
singular
1
mé
a(i)
ia
am
mîg
mî
2
té
(a)t
(e)t
at
tîg
tô, tô, tû, tåu
3.m
ló
al/l
(e)l
ai
sîg
sô, sô, sû, såu
3.f
lî
la/l'
la
plural
1
nuèter
a(i)
ia
as
nòsc
nòster, nòstra, nûster, nòstri
2
vuèter
a(i)
v
av
vòsc
vòster, vòstra, vûster, vòstri
3.m
låur
i
i
ai
sîg
sô, sô, sû, såu
3.f
äl(i)
If the conjugated verb starts with unstressed a, the verbal pronoun a(i) is dropped. For example mé arîv, nuèter arivän
Formal pronouns are used to replace 2nd person pronoun to indicate politeness or courtesy. Formal pronouns in Bolognese include ló for masculine and lî for feminine.
êl ló al dutåur? ch’al s acòmda! = È lei il dottore? Si accomodi!
êla lî la duturassa? ch’la s acòmda! = È lei la dottoressa? Si accomodi!
Demonstrative Pronoun and Adjective
Pronoun
Demonstrative
Adjective
This
That
This
That
Singular
Masculine
quasst
quall
st(e)
c(a)l
Feminine
quassta
qualla
sta
cla
Plural
Masculine
quíssti
quî
sti
chi
Feminine
quassti
qualli
stäl(i)
cäl(i)
Note: ste and sta elides before words starting with vowels. For example: A quest'ora. Che ora è? = Da st’åura. Ch’åur’é?
Orthographic rules
Pronoun
Before consonant
Before vowel
singular
masculine
st(e) gât, cal gât
st amîg, cl amîg
feminine
sta gâta, cla gâta
st’amîga, cl'amîga
plural
masculine
sti gât, chi gât
sti amîg, chi amîg
feminine
stäl gâti, cäl gâti
stäli amîghi, cäli amîghi
Demonstrative pronouns or adjective are almost always followed by adverbs indicating degrees of distance:
1. (qué) near the speaker
a tói ste bichîr qué = prendo questo bicchiere
al mî bichîr l é quasst qué = il mio bicchiere è questo
2. (lé) further away from the speaker, often near the listener
dâm bän cla biziclatta lé = dammi quella bicicletta
la tô biziclatta l’é qualla lé = la tua bicicletta è quella
3. (là) even further away from the speaker and the listener
guèrda cla cà là = guarda quella casa
la sô cà l’é qualla là = la sua casa è quella
Locative
Positive: ai é
ai é un òmen = c’è un uomo
ai é una dòna = c’è una donna
ai é di òmen = ci sono degli uomini
ai é däl dòn = ci sono delle donne
ai n é una carovèna = ce n'è una carovana
ai é dû ân a dîr = ci sono due anni di differenza
dóvv ai é la pèṡ ai é la cuntintazza = dove c'è pace c'è letizia
Negative: an i é
an i é brîṡa mî mèder = non c’è mia madre
an i é brîṡa i mî fradî = non ci sono i miei fratelli
an i é inción = non c’è nessuno
an i é ânma nèda = non c'è anima viva
an i é brîṡa i mî fradî = non ci sono i miei fratelli
Partitive
(i)n = ne
ai n é di nûv = ve ne sono di nuovi
a in mâgn apanna dåu o trai = ne mangio appena due o tre
Gigén Lîvra l in sà un pónt pió dal dièvel = Luigi Lepri ne sa una più del diavolo
mo mé a m n in sån adè es al ò catè = ma io me ne sono accorto e l’ho trovato
con l ajût ed Dagnêl ch'l i n à żuntè socuanti = con l'aiuto di Daniele che ne ha aggiunte alcune
mé a n in vói pió = io non ne voglio più
a n in pòs pió fèr da manc = non ne posso più fare a meno
chi an n à brîṡa as plócca la camîṡa = chi non ne ha si pilucca la camicia
Verb
To form the interrogative form, euphonic vowels on the verb must be removed including on -en endings. For 3rd and 1st person singular, final unstressed a must also be removed. For example: a dâg > dâghia, a mâgnen > mâgn-ni, l avêva > avêvel
Metaphony
Metaphony happens when the penultimate vowel is stressed in the present indicative and present subjunctive mood. No observable pattern exists.
1st Conjugation (-èr)
Persåṅna
Cantèr
Magnèr
Inparèr
Inventèr
Viṡitèr
Pinsèr
Prilèr
Osesionèr
Druvèr
Vulèr
Ṡżlèr
Spzèr
Pschèr
Avlèr
Mé
a cant
a mâgn
ai inpèr
ai invänt
a vîṡit
a päns
a préll
ai osesiån
a drôv
a våul
a ṡżêl
a spèz
a passc
avail
Té
t cant
t mâgn
t inpèr
t invänt
t vîṡit
t päns
t préll
t osesiån
t drôv
t våul
t ṡżêl
t spèz
t passc
t avail
Ló
al canta
al mâgna
l inpèra
l invänta
al vîṡita
al pänsa
al prélla
l osesiåna
al drôva
al våula
al ṡżêla
al spèza
al passca
l availa
Lî
la canta
la mâgna
l’inpèra
l’invänta
la vîṡita
la pänsa
la prélla
l’osesiåna
la drôv
la våula
la ṡżêla
la spèza
la passca
l’availa
Nuèter
a cantän
a magnän
ai inparän
ai inventän
a viṡitän
a pinsän
a prilän
ai osesionän
a druvän
a vulän
a ṡżlän
a spzän
a pschän
avlän
Vuèter
a cantè
a magnè
ai inparè
ai inventè
a viṡitè
a pinsè
a prilè
ai osesionè
a druvè
a vulè
a ṡżlè
a spzè
a pschè
avlè
Låur
i/äl canten
i/äl mâgnen
i/äli inpèren
i/äli invänten
i/äl vîṡiten
i/äli pänsen
i/äli préllen
i/äli osesiånen
i/äl drôven
i/äl våulen
i/äl ṡżêlen
i/äl spèzen
i/äl passcen
i/äli availen
For the type 3 Conjugation, the stressing of the infinitive takes place not on the final syllable. Therefore, the cases of when metaphony happen changes. Example vàdder (a vadd, a vdän).
3rd Conjugation (-er)
Persåṅna
Arspånnder
Bàvver
Vànnder
Abâter
Pièṡer
Lèżer
Métter
Pêrder
Scrîver
Córrer
Môver
Crûver
Mé
arspånnd
a bavv
a vannd
abât
a pièṡ
a lèż
a métt
a pêrd
a scrîv
a córr
a môv
a crûv
Té
t arspånnd
t bavv
t vannd
t abât
t pièṡ
t lèż
t métt
t pêrd
t scrîv
t córr
t môv
t crûv
Ló
l arspånnd
al bavv
al vannd
l abât
al pièṡ
al lèż
al métt
al pêrd
al scrîv
al córr
al môv
al crûv
Lî
l’arspånnd
la bavv
la vannd
l’abât
la pièṡ
la lèż
la métt
la pêrd
la scrîv
la córr
la môv
la crûv
Nuèter
arspundän
a bvän
a vindän
abatän
a piaṡän
a liżän
a mitän
a pirdän
a scrivän
a curän
a muvän
a cruvän
Vuèter
arspundänî
a bvî
a vindî
abatî
a piaṡî
a liżî
a mitî
a pirdî
a scrivî
a curî
a muvî
a cruvî
Låur
i/äli arspånnden
i/äl bavven
i/äl vannden
i/äli abât
i/äl pièṡen
i/äl lèżen
i/äl métten
i/äl pêrden
i/äl scrîver
i/äl córren
i/äl môven
i/äl crûven
Metaphony never happens on the 4th conjugation (-îr) since the stress never falls on the stem.
Verbs with infinite form -årr descended from Latin -ōnere and corresponds to Italian -orre. Some verbs in -årr also have alternative forms (dispårr/dispånner, scunpårr/scunpånner, prupårr/prupånner, supårr/supånner).
Some verbs of the 4th group contained a root that behaves like the verbs of the 3rd group:
Persåṅna
-årr
-îr
Cunpårr
Depårr
Dispårr
Prupårr
Durmîr
Murîr
Mé
a cunpånn
a depånn
a dispånn
a prupånn
a dôrum
a môr
Té
t cunpånn
t depånn
t dispånn
t prupånn
t dôrum
t môr
Ló/Lî
al/la cunpånn
al/la depånn
al/la dispånn
al/la prupånn
al/la dôrum
al/la môr
Nuèter
a cunpunän
a depunän
a dispunän
a prupunän
a durmän
a murän
Vuèter
a cunpunî
a depunî
a dispunî
a prupunî
a durmî
a murî
Låur
i/äl cunpånnen
i/äl depånnen
i/äl dispånnen
i/äl prupånnen
i/äl dôrmen
i/äl môren
Reflexive
To construct a reflexive verb, the pronoun es is suffixed into the verb. For example, the reflexive of guardèr is guardères or guardèrs. However, for verbs ending in -er, it's replaced by -res. For example: scrîver – scrîvres (scriversi) and vàdder – vàddres (vedersi).
Person
Atruvères
Ciamères
Present
Negative
Interrogative
Imperative
Present
Negative
Interrogative
Imperative
Mé
a m atrôv
a n m atrôv brîṡa
m atrôvia?
a m ciâm
a n am ciâm brîṡa
am ciâmia?
Té
t at atrôv
t an t atrôv brîṡa
t atrôvet?
atrôvet!
t at ciâm
t an t ciâm brîṡa
at ciâmet?
ciâmet!
Ló
al s atrôva
an s atrôva brîṡa
s atrôvel?
atrôves!
a(l) s ciâma
an s ciâma brîṡa
as ciâmel?
ciâmes!
Lî
la s atrôva
la n s atrôva brîṡa
s atrôvla?
atrôves!
la s ciâma
la n s ciâma brîṡa
as ciâmla?
ciâmes!
Nuèter
a s atruvän
a n s atruvän brîṡa
s atruvaggna?
atruvans!
a s ciamän
a n s ciamän brîṡa
as ciamaggna?
ciamans!
Vuèter
a v atruvè
a n v atruvè brîṡa
v atruvèv?
atruvèv!
a v ciamè
a n v ciamè brîṡa
av ciamèv?
ciamèv!
Låur
i/äl s atrôven
i/äl n s atrôven brîṡa
s atrôvni?
atrôvens!
i/äl s ciâm
i/äl n s ciâm brîṡa
as ciâmni?
ciâms!
Negation
non si può avere = an s pôl brîṡa avair
non si vede niente = an s i vadd lómm
non si fà e non si fìcca = an s fà es an s fécca
come non si dovrebbe tradurre = cum an s arêv brîṡa da fèr a tradûṡer
non si tratta di essere dei romantici = an s trâta brîṡa d èser di rumântic
quando non si poteva essere più espliciti = quand an s psêva brîṡa al dromedèri dscårrer pió cèr
senz’acqua non si macina e senza bere non si mangia = sänz’âcua an s mèṡna e sänza bavvr an s mâgna
Imperative
Imperative form in Bolognese only exists for 1st person singular and 2nd person. Imperative formation:
For 1st person plural (nó/nuèter) and 2nd person plural (vó/vuèter), it is exactly the same as its present indicative form.
For 2nd person singular, it is exactly the same as the 3rd person singular present indicative form.
For other pronouns, the subjunctive present forms are used.
Person
Andèr
Tôr
Vgnîr
Present
Imperative
Present
Imperative
Present
Imperative
Indicative
Subjunctive
Indicative
Subjunctive
Indicative
Subjunctive
Té
t vè
ch’at vâg
và!
t tû tói
ch’at
tôl!
t vén
ch’at véggna
vén!
Ló / Lî
al/la và
ch’al/ch’la vâga
vâga!
al/la tôl
ch’al/ch’la tójja
tójja!
al/la vén
ch’al/ch’la véggna
véggna!
Nuèter
andän
ch’ai andaggna
andän!
a tulän
ch’a tulaggna
tulän!
a vgnän
ch’a vgnaggna
vgnän!
Vuèter
andè
ch’ai andèdi
andè!
a tulî
ch’a tulèdi
tulî!
a vgnî
ch’a vgnèdi
vgnî!
Låur
i/äl van
ch’i/ch’äl vâghen
vâghen!
i/äl tôlen
ch’i/ch’äl tôlen
tôlen!
i/äl véggnen
ch’i/ch’äl véggnen
véggnen!
Negative Imperative
For 2nd person singular, there are 3 forms:
1. brîṡa + infinitive
non mangiare troppo, mi raccomando! = brîṡa magnèr tròp, a m arcmànd!
2. brîṡa stèr a + infinitive
non passare da casa! = brîṡa stèr a pasèr da cà!
3. an + infinitive + brîṡa
non mangiare troppo! = an magnèr brîṡa tròp!
non passare da casa! = an stèr brîṡa a pasèr da cà!
For other pronouns, the subjunctive is used instead:
non mangiamo troppo! = an magnaggna brîṡa tròp!
non mangiate troppo! = an magnèdi brîṡa tròp!
Past Participle
Regular
Past Participle
-èr
-air
-er
-îr
Andèr
Magnèr
Druvèr
Vlair
Psair
Savair
Cgnósser
Cràdder
Sénter
Partîr
Guarîr
Frîr
Singular
Masculine
andè
magnè
druvè
vló
psó
savó
cgnusó
cardó
sintó
parté
guaré
fré
Feminine
andèda
magnèda
druvèda
vlûda
psûda
savûda
cgnusûda
cardûda
sintûda
partîda
guarîda
frîda
Plural
Masculine
andè
magnè
druvè
vló
psó
savó
cgnusó
cardó
sintó
parté
guaré
fré
Feminine
andèdi
magnèdi
druvèdi
vlûdi
psûdi
savûdi
cgnusûdi
cardûdi
sintûdi
partîdi
guarîdi
frîdi
Past participle is formed using the stem of the verb with unstressed vowel (for example on regular conjugation for 1st person plural). In Bolognese, ONLY the masculine singular form is used for all declension since the past participle of the verbs end in a stressed vowel, the form does not change in the feminine nor plural. However, in the countryside, for example in western and northern province, the feminine and plural form can still be found.
The Italian past participle suffix -ato, -uto, -ito generally correspond to the Bolognese -è, -ó, -é respectively. Notable examples include the verb vgnîr (venire) which has the past participle form of vgnó (venuto) and èser (essere) with stè (stato). Irregular forms of verbs fèr, parair, tôr, córrer, adlîżer, dezîder, dîr with past participle such as fât, pèrs, tôlt, cåurs, adlît, dezîṡ, détt forms the feminine form by suffixing -a at the end of the word becoming fâta, pèrsa, tôlta, cåursa, adlîta, dezîṡa, détta and suffixing -i for feminine plural.
chisà (chissà), fôrsi (forse), bèle / żà (già), se (se), an (non), nå / nécca (no), sé / ói (sì)
Numeral
Zéffra
Cardinal / Cardnèl
Ordinal / Urdnèl
0
żèr - żêro
- an i é brîṡa -
1
ón (♂)
óṅna (♀)
prémm (♂)
prémma (♀)
2
dû (♂)
dåu (♀)
secånnd (♂)
secånnda (♀)
3
trî (♂)
trai (♀)
têrz (♂)
têrza (♀)
4
quâter
quèrt (♂)
quèrta (♀)
5
zénc(v)
quént (♂)
quénta (♀)
6
sî
sèst (♂)
sèsta (♀)
7
sèt
sètum (♂)
sètma (♀)
8
òt
utèv (♂)
utèva (♀)
9
nôv
nôn (♂)
nôna (♀)
10
dîṡ
dêzum (♂)
dêzma (♀)
Note the difference between article and pronoun for (ón/un), no distinction exist for other numerals:
Example
Bolognese
Italian
English
Article
ai é un òmen
c’è un uomo
there's a man
ai é una dòna
c’è una donna
there's a woman
Pronoun
ai n é ón
ce n’è uno
there's one (m)
ai n é ónna
ce n’è una
there's one (f)
dû / dåu
ai é dû cavâl
ci sono due cavalli
there are two horses (m)
ai é dåu cavâli
ci sono due cavalle
there are two horses (f)
trî / trai
ai é trî gât
ci sono tre gatti
there are three cats (m)
ai é trai gâti
ci sono tre gatte
there are three cats (f)
For numbers higher than 10, the ordinal is formed by adding quall di before the cardinal numeral. For example: Eleven (ónng’) has the ordinal form of Eleventh (quall di ónng’)
Cardinal
Cardinal
Cardinal
Cardinal
11
ónng’
21
ventión
100
zänt
12
dågg’
22
ventedû
20
vént
200
duṡänt
13
tragg’
23
ventetrî
30
tränta
300
tarṡänt
14
quatôrg’
24
ventquâter
40
quaranta
400
quaterzänt
15
quénng’
25
ventzénc
50
zincuanta
500
zenczänt
16
sagg’
26
ventsî
60
s-santa
600
sizänt
17
darsèt
27
ventsèt
70
stanta
700
setzänt
18
dṡdòt
28
ventiôt
80
utanta
800
otzänt
19
dṡnôv
29
ventnôv
90
nuvanta
900
novzänt
Higher numbers:
1000: méll (m) mélla (f)
1000000: un migliån
1000000000: un miglièrd
Construction:
66 = 60 + 6
s-santa + sî = s-santsî (without space)
739 = 700 + 30 + 9
setzänt + tränta + nôv = setzänt-träntanôv
2000 women
dåu mélla dòn
Syntax
a n t al dâg brîṡa = non te lo do
ch'an t véggna = che tu non venga
Negation
Bolognese dialect, similar to French, uses double negation usually with the particle (a)n before the verb and the word brîṡa after the verb. For verbs beginning with a consonant:
For 3rd person singular masculine: al + an becomes an
For 3rd person plural feminine: the 3rd person plural masculine verbal pronoun i is used instead.
Persåṅna
Èser
Avair
Cantèr
Mé
a n sån brîṡa
a n ò brîṡa
a n cant brîṡa
Té
t an î brîṡa
t an è brîṡa
t an cant brîṡa
Ló
al n é brîṡa
al n à brîṡa
an canta brîṡa
Lî
la n é brîṡa
la n à brîṡa
la n canta brîṡa
Nuèter
a n sän brîṡa
a n avän brîṡa
a n cantän brîṡa
Vuèter
a n sî brîṡa
a n avî brîṡa
a n cantè brîṡa
Låur
i n én brîṡa
i n an brîṡa
i n cànten brîṡa
äl n én brîṡa
äl n an brîṡa
i n cànten brîṡa
Other negation particles include:
brîṡa (non): a n l ò brîṡa vésst = non l’ho visto
mégga (mica): a n sån mégga stè mé! = non sono mica stato io!
mâi (mai): al n à mâi sånn = non ha mai sonno
pió (più): a n l ò pió vésst = non l’ho più visto
gnínta (niente): a n avän gnínta da dîr = non abbiamo niente da dire
inción (nessuno): an i é inción = non c’è nessuno
gnanc (neanche / non ancora): al n à gnanc un góbbi = non ha neanche un soldo
Dative construction
Person
Bolognese
Italian
Mé
am pèr d andèr int i mât
mi sembra di diventare matto
Té
at pèr d èser vgnó mègher
ti sembra di essere dimagrito
Ló / Lî
ai pèr d èsr a pòst
gli / le sembra di essere a posto
Nuèter
as pèr d avair la vétta par dnanz
ci sembra di avere la vita davanti
Vuèter
av pèr ed turnèr a nâser
vi sembra di rinascere
Låur
ai pèr ed magnèr tròp
a loro sembra di mangiar troppo
The real subject is a complement of the term -> verb always conjugated in the 3rd person singular, even if the real subject is plural:
Person
Bolognese
Italian
Mé
a mé am pièṡ al bulgnaiṡ
a me piace il bolognese
a mé am pièṡ i pizón
a me piacciono i piccioni
Té
a té at vôl na vacanza
a te serve una vacanza
a té at vôl di bajûc
a te servono soldi
Ló / Lî
a lî ai é capitè un bèl fât
a lei è successa una bella cosa
a lî ai é capitè di bî fât
a lei sono successe belle cose
Soggetto Fittizio
When in a sentence the subject of the 3rd person is moved after the verb, the soggetto fittizio ai is always used in the singular.
(subject + verb) mî mèder l’arîva = (verb + subject) ai arîva mî mèder
Example:
äl mî amîghi äli én vgnó = le mie amiche sono venute
ai é vgnó äl mî amîghi = sono venute le mie amiche
ai vén äl mî amîghi = vengono le mie amiche
Used with verb of motion:
ai tåurna sô fiôl = torna suo figlio
ai arîva sô maré = arriva suo marito
Used with intransitive verbs or used as such when introducing a new subject:
ai é nèd i dû gemî dla Marî e d Pèvel = sono nati i due gemelli di Maria e Paolo
ai vôl i bichîr = servono i bicchieri
ai tîra al vänt = tira il vento
incû ai żûga al Bulåggna = oggi gioca il Bologna
It is not used if the subject has already been introduced in the conversation:
Example 1:
chi arîva? tô pèder? = chi arriva? tuo padre?
sé, ai riva mî pèder = sì, arriva mio padre
arîvel o nå tô pèder? = arriva o no tuo padre?
sé, l rîva, mî pèder = sì, arriva, mio padre
Example 2:
Chi żûga incû? = Chi gioca oggi?
Incû ai żûga al Bulåggna. = Oggi gioca il Bologna.
L é bèle tèrd! Mo żûghel o nå, ste Bulåggna? = E’ già tardi! Ma gioca o no, il Bologna?
Sé, al żûga, al Bulåggna: èvet pazénzia! = Sì, gioca, il Bologna: abbi pazienza!
It is also used with atmospheric verbs:
al piôv = piove
al tinpèsta = grandina
al naiva = nevica
al sfarósscla = iniziano a scendere piccoli fiocchi di neve [prov. Est al sfalésstra]
al tråṅna = tuona
al ṡlôṡna = lampeggia [la ṡluṡnè il lampo]
Using ai with negation:
ai n arîva inción = non arriva nessuno
ai n suzêd gnínto = non succede nulla
Using ai in interrogative sentence (no interrogative pronouns necessary):
Example 1:
ai arîva sô mèder = arriva sua madre
i arîva sô mèder? = arriva sua madre?
Example 2:
ai vén la Pèvla e la Giógglia = vengono la Paola e la Giulia
i vén la Pèvla e la Giógglia? = vengono la Paola e la Giulia?
Adverb of Place "i"
Equivalent to Italian ci. In the western area (mountains and plains, e.g. Lizzano in Belvedere, Castello di Serravalle, San Giovanni in Persiceto) and northern area (e.g. Pieve di Cento, Galliera) “g” is used instead of "i" in continuity with Modenese and Ferrarese [a g vâg, t ig vè, al g và, etc.]
Person
Positive
Negative
Mé
a i vâg
a n i vâg brîṡa
Té
t i vè
t an i vè brîṡa
Ló
al i và
al n i và brîṡa
Lî
la i và
la n i và brîṡa
Nuèter
a i andän
a n i andän brîṡa
Vuèter
a i andè
a n i andè brîṡa
Låur
i i van
i n i van brîṡa
Låur
äl i van
äl n i van brîṡa
Prepositions
Adjectives not directly connected to a noun or to the verb èser are governed by the preposition ed (possibly in the partitive forms).
ce n’è una novità = ai n é ónna däl nôvi
adesso te ne dico una bella = adès a t n in dégg ónna däl bèli
When the verb piacere or provare governs an infinitive verb, the preposition ed is needed:
mi piace mangiare = am pièṡ ed magnèr
a Maria piace viaggiare = ala Marî ai pièṡ ed viażèr
proviamo a correre = a pruvän ed córrer
provano a far tutto = äl prôven ed fèr incôsa
When verbs of perception (vàdder to see, sénter to feel) follow an infinitive verb, the preposition "a" is needed:
ti ho visto fumare = a t ò vésst a fumèr
ti ho sentito/sentita cantare = a l ò sintó a cantèr
dire (conjugated) or parlare (conjugated) + a = dîr (conjugated) or dscårrer (conjugated) + con
parlo a te = a dscårr con té
dillo a tua sorella = dîl con tô surèla
stare (conjugated) + a = stèr (conjugated) + da (stèr + a carry a different meaning in Bolognese)
stammi a sentire = stâm da sénter
state ad ascoltare = stè mò d’asculter
staremo a vedere = a starän da vàdder
aspettiamo = a stän d’asptèr
dietro + a = drî + da (drî + a carry a different meaning in Bolognese)
si è nascosto dietro alla porta = al s é arpiatè drî dal óss
vado dietro a quell'albero = a vâg drî da cl âlber
The preposition su = só especially in figurative sense or in vatta especially in material sense.
devo lavorare di notte = a m tåcca ed lavurèr ala nòt
non dovrà lavorare il doppio = an s tucarà brîṡa d lavurèr al dåppi
stare (conjugated) + verb (gerund)
1. èser (conjugated) + drî a + verb (infinitive)
sta andando = l é drî a andèr
sto ancora facendo = a sån anc drî a fèr
2. èser (conjugated) + drî che + verb (indicative)
sto mangiando = a sån drî ch’a mâgn
stanno arrivando = i én drî ch’i arîven
3. stare (conjugated) + per + verb (infinitive) = èser (conjugated) + drî par + verb (infinitive)
stanno per arrivare = i én drî pr arivèr
sto per mangiare = a sån drî par magnèr
nessuno = inción
1. as adjective: inción takes a plural form inción (masculine) or inciónni (feminine).
non ho comprato nessun fiore = a n ò cunprè inción fiûr
non ho visto nessuna donna = a n ò vésst inciónni dòn
2. as pronoun after a verb: inción takes a plural form.
non capisce niente nessuno = i n capéssen gnînta inción
di quelle biciclette, non ne vogliono nessuna = ed cäl biziclàtt lé, i n in vôlen inciónni
3. as pronoun preceding a verb: inción takes a singular form. Verbal pronouns are not required.
nessuno capisce niente = inción capéss gnínta
non ne vuole nessuno = inción in vôl
Anc, gnanc = anche / ancora, neanche / non ancora
1. Gnanc replaces anc on negative sentences.
ai ò anc da magnèr = devo ancora mangiare
a n ò gnanc da magnèr = non devo ancora mangiare
Pèvel l é anc arivè a cà = Paolo è ancora arrivato a casa
Pèvel al n é gnanc arivè a cà = Paolo non è ancora arrivato a casa
l à anc un góbbi = ha anche un soldo
al n à gnanc un góbbi = non ha neanche un soldo
2. anc and gnanc becomes anca and gnanca in front of personal pronouns with the exception of nuèter and vuèter.
anca / gnanca mé = anche/neanche io
anca / gnanca té = anche/neanche tu
anca / gnanca ló/lî = anche/neanche = lui / lei
anc / gnanc nuèter = anche/neanche noi
anc / gnanc vuèter = anche/neanche voi
anca / gnanca låur = anche/neanche loro
dove = dóvv or duv
1. Before verbs = duv
Dov’è? = duv êla?
Dove vai? = in duv vèt?
2. Elsewhere = dóvv
Dove? = in dóvv?
come = cómm or cum
1. Before verbs = cum
come mai? = cum êla?
come va? = cum vèla?
come stai? = cum stèt?
2. Elsewhere = cómm
ma come? = mo cómm?
pronoun + verb + da solo = pronoun + verb + da par + pronoun
io mi difendo da solo = mé a m difànd da par mé
tu vai al cinema da solo = té t và al cínnema da par té
bisogna fare tutto da soli = biṡåggna fèr tótt da pr as
The conjunction es indicates contemporaneity or coordination between two actions. It is used between two verbs conjugated with the same subject, instead of e, with the meaning of "and moreover".
piove e c'è il sole = al piôv es ai é al såul
rido e piango = a rédd es a zîg
è un asino e vuol fare il furbo = l é un èṡen es vôl fèr al fûrb
The adverb mò is used as an exhortative particle, in an urging manner.
prendi l’auto! = ciâpa mò la mâchina!
proviamo a stare calmi! = pruvän mò ed stèr chiêt!
prendete nel piatto le tagliatelle! = tulî mò żå äl tajadèl!
