a new boy

M

Mikeo38

Senior Member
English (British)
I've seen "nuovo scolaro" as the translation of 'a new boy'.
Is the feminine form 'nuova scolara'?
Of course, this refers to a pupil at a school, but it's often used jokingly in BE when someone is explaining that he is new in a job. "Hi, I'm a new boy around here. Can you tell me where the canteen is, please?"
Does this work in the same way in Italian?
Thanks in advance.
 
    • Where I come from we say "sono nuovo". It is quite similar to the English saying you proposed.

    I'm a new boy around here. Can you tell me where the canteen is, please?" = "Sono nuovo da queste parti. Mi potrebbe/potresti dire/indicare, per favore, dov'è la mensa?".

    1. Verb "potrebbe" is the formal version of Italian speech (dare del lei).
    2. Verb "potresti" is the informal version of Italian speech (dare del tu).

    Bye,
    Benzene
     
    Last edited:
    OK and thank you.
    Yes, we also say, "I'm new around here."
    But from what you tell me, there's no reference to 'school' in Italian.
    In BE, 'new boy' might be said, jokingly, by someone of any age.
     
    Mikeo38 said:
    OK and thank you.
    Yes, we also say, "I'm new around here."
    But from what you tell me, there's no reference to 'school' in Italian.
    In BE, 'new boy' might be said, jokingly, by someone of any age.
    Click to expand...
    Referring to the schoolboy, one can say "Io sono nuovo di questa scuola e di questa classe".

    Please look at here:
    Immagine 2023-09-25 145253.png

    Source: Superpazzi. 69 racconti di Giuseppe D'Ambrosio Angelillo · 2010, vol. 2 - Pagina 112

    Bye,
    Benzene
     
    Mikeo38 said:
    Of course, this refers to a pupil at a school, but it's often used jokingly in BE when someone is explaining that he is new in a job. "Hi, I'm a new boy around here. Can you tell me where the canteen is, please?"
    Click to expand...
    Just wanted to add that this is most definitely a BE thing, probably from the long British tradition of boarding schools and private schools. You'd be looked at rather strangely in Canada if you referred to yourself as a "new boy / girl" in the workplace. :)
     
    OK OK ... yes, I did rather wonder about that.
    You've hit the nail on the head regarding references to schooldays in BE.
    Go to the top of the class!
    Thanks very much
    M
     
    Hi Mikeo38,
    as Benzene and Necsus explained, there is no reference to schooling in Italian when saying one is new in a job. Since you asked about "scolaro", the Treccani dictionary says it's used for kids in compulsory schooling, especially primary school. It Is slightly old-fashioned. You are much more likely to hear "alunno".
     
    Paulfromitaly said:
    I agree that primary school kids wouldn't call themselves "studenti", but if an adult was speaking about them, I think "studente" would be more common than "scolaro" and perhaps even than "alunno" nowadays.
    Click to expand...
    I myself wouldn't call a primary school kid a "studente" but then I'm no spring chicken so my idiolect may not be up-to-date! (the English idiom I've just used may be dated, too).
    You are certainly right about "studenti" being used for primary school kids in official Ministry of Education circulars etc.
     
    Last edited:
    Benzene said:
    Where I come from we say "sono nuovo". It is quite similar to the English saying you proposed.

    I'm a new boy around here. Can you tell me where the canteen is, please?" = "Sono nuovo da queste parti. Mi potrebbe/potresti dire/indicare, per favore, dov'è la mensa?".

    1. Verb "potrebbe" is the formal version of Italian speech (dare del lei).
    2. Verb "potresti" is the informal version of Italian speech (dare del tu).

    Bye,
    Benzene
    Click to expand...
    In alcuni contesti anche "Sono il nuovo arrivato".
     
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