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In bocca al lupo per il colloquio!

In bocca al lupo per il colloquio!
Good luck with the interview!
From Lesson 199:Present gerund (-ando, -endo)·Italian

Questions & Answers about In bocca al lupo per il colloquio!

Why does in bocca al lupo mean "good luck"?
It literally translates to "in the mouth of the wolf." It is a very common traditional Italian idiom used to wish someone well before a stressful or challenging event, serving the exact same purpose as telling someone to "break a leg" in English.
How am I supposed to reply to in bocca al lupo?
The traditional and expected response is crepi il lupo (may the wolf die) or simply crepi! Historically, saying grazie (thank you) in response to this specific phrase is considered bad luck, though some younger Italians are starting to use it anyway.
Is colloquio only used for job interviews?
It is the standard word for a job interview (colloquio di lavoro), but it literally just means a formal "conversation" or "interview." You will also hear it used for an oral exam, a parent-teacher meeting, or a clinical consultation.
Why use the preposition per before il colloquio?
In Italian, per is used after well-wishes to point directly to the upcoming event or goal. Just as you might say "good luck for the test" in English, Italians use per to link the wish to the specific challenge.

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