Are they biting?

[Encolpius]

Are they biting?​

Hello, here you can check what I mean. What are the commonest phrases you use when passing by a fisherman in Italy? You can see what French say, so I think the Italian phrase might be a simple: Mordono? Thanks.

 

[lenabow]

"mordono" is the correct translation, but I never heard of it being said when passing by a fisherman. You would say that to some animals to make sure they don't bite ;-)

 

[[Cryss]]

Do you want to ask if they are so fresh to be actually alive? Then, yes. It is not common but you can use "mordono"? with a hilarious tone

 

[lenabow]

Well, ideally, yes, you could say it, but I never heard of it. however, let's wait for some other opinions

 

[Encolpius]

I've got the feeling there's nothing similar in Italian.

 

[MStraf]

Abboccano?

 

[lenabow]

Abboccano?

You're right! I don't know why, but I was picturing the fisherman as somebody who was selling fish (in this case "Mordono?" would fit better).
Actually, if he's fishing, one might say "Abboccano?" and definitely not "Mordono?".

The issue about the common use of it remains, though. Even if "Abboccano?" sounds to me a little more natural.

 

[Encolpius]

Oh I see, sorry for misleading you. Of course I mean a guy sitting on the river bank and waiting for the catch.

 

[lenabow]

Oh I see, sorry for misleading you. Of course I mean a guy sitting on the river bank and waiting for the catch.

Don't worry, it was my mind that has made up things ;-)

 

[Encolpius]

It is really Abboccano, I have just heard it.