la fumata
Parola del giorno
Today’s Parola del giorno is the noun la fumata, which means smoke signal or puff of smoke.
During the conclave, this word has appeared frequently in news stories as the world waits for a new pope to be chosen.
What’s the difference between il fumo and la fumata?
The Italian dictionary defines la fumata as a wave of smoke, especially when it is done purposefully for some reason or there is symbolism behind the “smoke,” like signaling a new pope (la fumata bianca) or the lack of a decision (la fumata nera).1
Il fumo is the creation or emission of smoke (and gasses) due to some chemical and physical reactions (the combustion) that results in columns or clouds in the air, like from a smoke stack or train or when smoking a cigarette.
See the expression used below:
Il mondo aspetta l’apparizione della fumata bianca e la dichiarazione “Habemus Papam”!
The world is waiting for the white smoke to appear and the declaration “We have a Pope”!
Sometimes the expression la fumata nera can be used idiomatically in non-Papal contexts, too, to indicate that an important position has not yet been filled.