dolce far niente

[ dawl-che fahr nyen-te ]

noun

, Italian.

1. pleasing inactivity.

dolce far niente

/ ˈdoltʃe far ˈnjɛnte /

noun

1. pleasant idleness

Word History and Origins

Origin of dolce far niente¹

Literally, “(it is) sweet to do nothing”

Word History and Origins

Origin of dolce far niente¹

literally: sweet doing nothing

Example Sentences

There is a pleasant idleness, a sense of “dolce far niente,” or sweetness of doing nothing, that is raised to a public art form.

From New York Times

The movie is often characterised as a study in ennui and curdled dolce far niente, a sunbaked torpor and languor that incubates marital despair.

From The Guardian

Even, then, says Emmerson it was regarded by northern Europeans as a backward, ragamuffin city, whose dolce far niente – sweet languor – belied an obscure exuberance of life and Tangier-like decadence.

From The Guardian

Nowhere in the world can one obtain more of the dolce far niente, than thus floating slowly and dreamily on the Nile.

From Project Gutenberg

“This is dolce far niente for fair,” murmured Jack lazily.

From Project Gutenberg