essere felice come una pasqua

/esˈseːre feˈliːtʃe ˈkoːme ˈuːna ˈpaskwa/
phraseIntermediate to be extremely happyidiom
What It Really Means
To experience an overwhelming, almost euphoric sense of happiness, often tied to a personal or collective joyous occasion.
Literal Meaning
to be happy like Easter
Literal Breakdown
essereto be+felicehappy+comelike+una pasquaEaster
Mental Image
Imagine someone celebrating Easter with family, surrounded by delicious food, laughter, and warmth—this is the vivid mental picture the idiom evokes.
When to Use
After receiving a promotion at work, Marco exclaimed, 'Sono felice come una pasqua!' to express his immense joy to his friends.
Cultural Note
Easter (Pasqua) in Italy is a deeply cultural and religious holiday, often associated with spring, renewal, and family gatherings. The idiom leverages this cultural backdrop to convey extreme happiness.
informal

to be extremely happy, as if one were celebrating Easter (a traditionally joyful occasion in Italy)

Dopo aver superato l'esame, ero felice come una pasqua.

After passing the exam, I was on cloud nine.

Quando ho ricevuto la notizia del matrimonio, ero felice come una pasqua.

When I got the news about the wedding, I was overjoyed.

💡

This idiom emphasizes an overwhelming sense of joy, often used in personal or celebratory contexts.

Related Phrases

💡Pro Tip

Cultural Context

In Italy, Easter (Pasqua) is a time of great joy and celebration, often involving family reunions, special meals, and religious festivities. This idiom reflects the cultural significance of Easter as a symbol of happiness.

Gold Rule

Usage Scenario

Use 'essere felice come una pasqua' to describe someone who is overwhelmingly happy, especially after a long-awaited event or a personal achievement. Avoid using it in formal or professional contexts.

📖Word Origin

This idiom likely originates from the association of Easter (Pasqua) with joy, celebration, and abundance in Italian culture. Easter is a major holiday in Italy, marked by family gatherings, feasts, and religious ceremonies, all of which evoke strong feelings of happiness.

📝Usage Notes

This phrase is informal and should be used in casual or personal contexts. It is not suitable for formal writing or professional settings.

Word Breakdown

essere
to be
verb
+
felice
happy
adjective
+
come
like/as
preposition
+
una pasqua
Easter
noun phrase
Dizionario Italiano-Inglese