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Mai, Oh Mai Trivia Quiz

In Italian, the word "mai" (sounds like "my" in English) means "never" (or sometimes "ever", depending on context). Can you match the Italian "never" proverb or expression with its conventional English equivalent, or otherwise a near-literal translation?

A multiple-choice quiz by vairagya. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
vairagya

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
397,853

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
8 / 10

Plays
337

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. "In bocca chiusa non entr� mai mosca."

A near-literal translation of this Italian expression would be what? Hint

No fly ever entered a closed mouth

My mosque is off-limits to bocce ball

Tidy churches never have flies

The entrance is closed to mascara-wearers

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Question 2 of 10

2. "Non si serra mai una porta che non se n'apra un'altra."

A near-literal translation of this Italian expression would be what? Hint

When one door closes, another opens

Evenings must not be used for drinking port

The porter should never wear someone else's apron

Don't saw the door open without another helping of apricots

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Question 3 of 10

3. "Chi nasce matto, non guarisce mai."

A near-literal translation of this Italian expression would be what? Hint

Never hammer while washing dishes

Never stare at sunsets without grappa

Insanity runs in your family, not mine

Those born crazy are never cured

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Question 4 of 10

4. "La prudenza non � mai troppa."

Which of these options would be a conventional English equivalent of this Italian expression? Hint

You can never be too careful

A wallflower doesn't join the army

A prude should never go tropical

Sideboards must never go center-stage

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Question 5 of 10

5. "Non tuona mai che non piova."

Which of these options would be a conventional English equivalent of this Italian expression? Hint

A tuna is not an octopus

Raindrops never fall on my piety

An umbrella never needs a tuning fork

It never rains but it pours

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Question 6 of 10

6. "Per vendetta mai non san� piaga."

A near-literal translation of this Italian expression would be what? Hint

No wound ever healed by way of revenge

Bugs never leave the picnic table

Vendors don't sell on clean beaches

Never wash down a slight with alcohol

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Question 7 of 10

7. "A chi fa male, mai mancano scuse."

A near-literal translation of this Italian expression would be what? Hint

Wrongdoers never lack excuses

Bad beginnings never end well

The male of the species is always less squeezable

Poor management makes for late trains

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Question 8 of 10

8. "Chi ha denari e prati, non son mai impiccati."

A near-literal translation of this Italian expression would be what? Hint

Those with money and land are never hanged

Those living in dens and fields are always too picky

Dinners and priests never get pinched

Never prate on about burnt mini-pizzas

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Question 9 of 10

9. "Dove molti galli cantano, non si fa mai giorno."

Which of these would be a conventional English equivalent of this Italian expression?
Hint

A dove never roosts with chickens

Haymaking and singing make for low output

Down in the galleys it's never tomorrow

Too many cooks spoil the broth

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Question 10 of 10

10. "Il coraggio non deve mai essere scompagnato dalla ragione."

So say the Italians. What would be an equivalent English saying? Hint

You're never alone if you've brought your luggage

The accountant never arrives without sunscreen

Discretion is the better part of valor

If someone thinks you're brave, don't question their judgment

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. "In bocca chiusa non entr� mai mosca." A near-literal translation of this Italian expression would be what?

Answer: No fly ever entered a closed mouth

Figurative meaning: as a general rule, you're better off speaking less rather than more.

This saying may be considered a cousin to "Loose lips sink ships" in English.

2. "Non si serra mai una porta che non se n'apra un'altra." A near-literal translation of this Italian expression would be what?

Answer: When one door closes, another opens

Figurative meaning: close to "every cloud has a silver lining".

Circumstances that look like the end of something good can often turn out to be the beginning of something else that's as good or better. You must put in the work of recognizing the new opportunities.

3. "Chi nasce matto, non guarisce mai." A near-literal translation of this Italian expression would be what?

Answer: Those born crazy are never cured

This expression has echoes in English ones such as "A leopard doesn't change his spots" and the "once a _____, always a _____" idiom.

4. "La prudenza non � mai troppa." Which of these options would be a conventional English equivalent of this Italian expression?

Answer: You can never be too careful

Literal translation: caution is never too much.

This expression may also be considered a cousin of "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" in English.

5. "Non tuona mai che non piova." Which of these options would be a conventional English equivalent of this Italian expression?

Answer: It never rains but it pours

Near-literal translation: thunder never comes without rain.

This expression, as well as its English counterpart, may be considered akin to "Misfortunes never come singly" and "Trouble comes in threes".

6. "Per vendetta mai non san� piaga." A near-literal translation of this Italian expression would be what?

Answer: No wound ever healed by way of revenge

This expression may be considered a cousin of "Two wrongs don't make a right" in English. Note also that it serves as a negation of "Revenge is sweet".

7. "A chi fa male, mai mancano scuse." A near-literal translation of this Italian expression would be what?

Answer: Wrongdoers never lack excuses

Many writers have created aphorisms with a similar sentiment, including Publilius Syrus (flourished 85-43 B.C.), who is quoted as saying: "Every vice has its excuse ready."

8. "Chi ha denari e prati, non son mai impiccati." A near-literal translation of this Italian expression would be what?

Answer: Those with money and land are never hanged

It would be difficult to ignore the affinity between this expression and "Money talks" in English, as well as a lesser-known English proverb from the 17th century: "He that cannot pay, let him pray."

But would we not be well-advised to temper the bitterness here by remembering that "You cannot serve God and Mammon"?

9. "Dove molti galli cantano, non si fa mai giorno." Which of these would be a conventional English equivalent of this Italian expression?

Answer: Too many cooks spoil the broth

Near-literal translation: where many roosters are crowing, daylight never comes.

A task peopled by a "top-heavy management structure" will usually turn out to be a poorly-done task. Other ways of expressing this include "Too many coaches, not enough players" and "Too many conductors, not enough musicians".

10. "Il coraggio non deve mai essere scompagnato dalla ragione." So say the Italians. What would be an equivalent English saying?

Answer: Discretion is the better part of valor

Literal translation: courage must never be unaccompanied by reason.

This saying may also be considered a cousin of 'Look before you leap" in English, and -- from the ex post facto perspective -- "Act in haste, repent at leisure".

Source: Author vairagya

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor stedman before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

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