Languages

Basic Words and Phrases in Italian

The flag of Italy

Italy, with its rich history, art, and cuisine, is a top travel destination, and speaking some Italian will make your experience even better. Visiting the ancient ruins of Rome, admiring the art in Florence, or relaxing on the Amalfi Coast is more enjoyable when you can connect with locals. Italian is a passionate and beautiful language that reflects the vibrant culture of the country. Here are some key Italian phrases to help you make the most of your journey through Italy.

About Italian

Italian is a Romance language spoken mainly in parts of Italy, San Marino, the Vatican and Switzerland. It is also widely used and studied all over the world. Italian developed from Latin and has been influenced by various languages, including Greek, French and Spanish. It uses an alphabet based on the Latin alphabet and has a relative phonetic orthography. Italian grammar is characterized by the agreement of nouns and adjectives, verb conjugation and grammatical gender. The Italian dictionary contains words of Latin origin and words borrowed from other languages. Known for its rich literary tradition, art, music and cuisine, the Italian language is an important part of Italy's cultural heritage.

Basic Words and Phrases

Learning a foreign language opens up a world of opportunities, allowing you to connect with people from different cultures and expand your horizons. Whether you're planning a trip or simply curious about a new language, mastering some basic words and phrases is a great place to start.

Yes
No
No
Please
Per favore
Yes, please
Sì, per favore
No, thank you
No, grazie
Thanks
Grazie
Thank you
Grazie
Thank you very much
Grazie mille
You're welcome
Prego
No problem
Nessun problema
Excuse me
Mi scusi
I’m sorry
Mi dispiace
Sorry
Scusa
Cheers!
Cin cin! (inf)
Salute!
Okay
Va bene

Greetings

Greetings are an essential part of any language. Saying "hello" and "goodbye" can create an instant connection with native speakers. In many languages, "hello" is a universal term, but learning the specific greeting for the language you're interested in can show respect and appreciation. Similarly, learning how to say "goodbye" will help you leave a positive impression.

Hi
Ciao
Hello
Ciao
Good day
Buongiorno
Good morning
Buongiorno
Good afternoon
Buon pomeriggio
Good evening
Buonasera
Good night
Buona notte
Goodbye
Arrivederci
See you later!
Arrivederci!
Have a nice day!
Buona giornata!
Bye
Ciao

Conversations

Next, let's explore basic conversation starters. Asking "how are you?" or "what's your name?" in another language is a friendly way to engage with others. These simple phrases can pave the way for more meaningful conversations and help you build rapport.

How are you?
Come stai?
I'm fine
Sto bene
Good, thank you!
Bene, grazie!
And you?
E tu?
Nice to meet you!
Felice di conoscerti!
Pleased to meet you!
Piacere di conoscerti!
What is your name?
Come ti chiami?
My name is …
Mi chiamo …
Where are you from?
Da dove viene? (frm)
Da dove vieni? (inf)
I am from …
Vengo da … (frm)
Sono di ... (inf)
I don't speak Italian
Non parlo italiano
Do you speak English?
Lei parla inglese?
I understand
Capisco
I do not understand
Non capisco
I like it
Mi piace
I don't like it
Non mi piace
How is the weather today?
Com'è il tempo oggi?
Can you recommend any local attractions?
Puoi consigliare alcune attrazioni locali?

Hotel

When staying at a hotel in a foreign country, it's helpful to be familiar with some phrases that can assist you during your stay. Here are a few key phrases you can use in a hotel.

Hotel
Hotel
Reception
Reception
Reservation
Prenotazione
Hotel room
Camera d'albergo
Key
Chiave
Breakfast
Colazione
I have a reservation
Ho una prenotazione
I would like to book a room
Vorrei prenotare una camera
Do you have any rooms available?
Avete camere disponibili?

Restaurant

When dining at restaurants in a foreign country, it's helpful to know phrases that can assist you during your meal. Being able to request a table, order food and drinks, and ask for the bill are important for a pleasant dining experience.

Restaurant
Ristorante
Menu
Menù
A table for one, please
Un tavolo per uno, per favore
A table for two, please
Un tavolo per due, per favore
I would like a coffee, please
Un caffè, per favore
Enjoy your meal!
Buon appetito!
Can I have the bill, please?
Posso avere il conto, per favore?
Can you bring me the bill, please?
Puoi portarmi il conto, per favore?
I would like to pay, please
Vorrei pagare, per favore
The bill, please
Ci porti il conto, per favore
Can I pay with cash?
Posso pagare in contanti?
Can I pay with card?
Posso pagare con la carta?
Can I pay with credit card?
Posso pagare con carta di credito?
Could you suggest something for me?
Potreste suggerirmi qualcosa?
Can I have a glass of water, please?
Posso avere un bicchiere d'acqua, per favore?
Do you have any local specialties?
Avete delle specialità locali?

Food and drinks

Being able to order food and drinks, ask for recommendations, and express preferences or dietary restrictions will enhance your dining experience and allow you to explore the local cuisine.

Breakfast
Colazione
Lunch
Pranzo
Dinner
Cena
Food
Cibo
Drinks
Bevande
Bread
Pane
Sandwich
Panino
Cheese
Formaggio
Meat
Carne
Fish
Pesce
Vegetables
Verdure
Fruit
Frutta
Vegetarian
Vegetariano
I am a vegetarian
Sono vegetariano
Coffee
Caffè
Tea
Beer
Birra
Wine
Vino
Juice
Succo
Water
Acqua
Milk
Latte
Dessert
Dolce
Salad
Insalata
Soup
Zuppa

Places and Services

Just like how saying hello helps you connect with others, exploring phrases related to locations and services can greatly enhance your travel experience. Whether you're looking for important places like banks or post offices, these expressions can open up doors to immersing yourself in the local culture.

ATM
Bancomat
Bank
Banca
Beach
Spiaggia
Library
Biblioteca
Museum
Museo
Park
Parco
Pharmacy
Farmacia
Post Office
Ufficio postale
School
Scuola
Tourist Information
Informazioni turistiche

Shopping

Knowing how to ask for the price, request a different size or color, or simply say "I'm just looking" can be useful when shopping in local markets or stores.

Store
Negozio
Supermarket
Supermercato
Grocery store
Negozio di alimentari
Market
Mercato
Bakery
Panetteria
Bookstore
Libreria
How much does this cost?
Quanto costa?
Can I get a receipt?
Posso avere una ricevuta?
I'm just looking
Sto solo guardando
Sunglasses
Occhiali da sole
Umbrella
Ombrello

Directions

Learning phrases related to asking for directions, understanding common landmarks, and getting around the city will help you navigate unfamiliar places with ease.

Where is the toilet?
Dov'è la toilette?
Where is the beach?
Dov’è la spiaggia?
How do I get to the airport?
Come posso arrivare in aeroporto?
Left
A sinistra
Right
A destra
Straight ahead
Dritto
Is it far from here?
È lontano da qui?
Can you show it on the map?
Puoi mostrarlo sulla mappa?
How long does it take to walk there?
Quanto tempo ci vuole per arrivarci a piedi?

Transport

Familiarizing yourself with phrases for using public transportation, such as asking for a ticket, stating your destination, or inquiring about schedules, will make your travel experience smoother and more efficient.

Airport
Aeroporto
Plane
Aeroplano
Train station
Stazione di treni
Train
Treno
Bus station
Stazione degli autobus
Bus
Autobus
Taxi
Taxi
Ticket
Biglietto
Can I get a ticket to Rome?
Posso avere un biglietto per Roma?
I would like a ticket to Rome
Vorrei comprare un biglietto per Roma
I need a ticket to Rome
Ho bisogno di un biglietto per Roma
A ticket to Rome, please
Un biglietto per Roma, per favore
What time is the next train to Rome?
A che ora è il prossimo treno per Roma?
When is the next train to Rome?
Quando parte il prossimo treno per Roma?
When does the next train to Rome leave?
Quando parte il prossimo treno per Roma?

Emergencies

When you're in a different country, it's really important to be aware of emergency phrases such as 'help,' 'hospital,' and 'police.' Using expressions like 'emergency' and 'I need help' can help you overcome language barriers and make sure you're ready for any unexpected situations that might occur. Having a good grasp of these phrases will help keep you safe and give you peace of mind while traveling.

Help!
Aiuto!
Help me!
Aiutami!
I need help
Ho bisogno di aiuto
I need assistance
Ho bisogno di assistenza
I need a doctor
Ho bisogno di un dottore
Police
Polizia
Police Station
Stazione di polizia
Hospital
Ospedale
Ambulance
Ambulanza
Doctor
Dottore
Fire department
Vigili del fuoco
Fire!
Fuoco!

Time

Effortlessly asking and telling the time enhances your travel experience, from coordinating schedules to catching transportation, adding a valuable layer to your linguistic toolkit for effective communication during your stay.

What time is it?
Che ora è?
It is one o'clock
È l'una
It is half past two
Sono le due e mezza
Morning
Mattina
Afternoon
Pomeriggio
Evening
Sera
Night
Notte
Today
Oggi
Tomorrow
Domani
Yesterday
Ieri

Numbers

Learning numbers is essential for tasks like counting, ordering quantities, or understanding prices.

Zero
Zero
One
Uno
Two
Due
Three
Tre
Four
Quattro
Five
Cinque
Six
Sei
Seven
Sette
Eight
Otto
Nine
Nove
Ten
Dieci
Eleven
Undici
Twelve
Dodici
Thirteen
Tredici
Fourteen
Quattordici
Fifteen
Quindici
Sixteen
Sedici
Seventeen
Diciassette
Eighteen
Diciotto
Nineteen
Diciannove
Twenty
Venti
Twenty-one
Ventuno
Twenty-two
Ventidue
Twenty-three
Ventitré
Twenty-four
Ventiquattro
Twenty-five
Venticinque
Twenty-six
Ventisei
Twenty-seven
Ventisette
Twenty-eight
Ventotto
Twenty-nine
Ventinove
Thirty
Trenta
Forty
Quaranta
Fifty
Cinquanta
Sixty
Sessanta
Seventy
Settanta
Eighty
Ottanta
Ninety
Novanta
Hundred
Centinaio
Two hundred
Duecento
One thousand
Mille
Two thousand
Duemila
Three thousand
Tremila
Hundred thousand
Centomila
Million
Milione

Ordinal Numbers

Ordinal numbers play a crucial role in conveying sequence and order. Whether you're navigating travel itineraries, selecting seats, or exploring historical sites, understanding expressions like 'first,' 'second,' and so on is essential.

First
Primo
Second
Secondo
Third
Terzo
Fourth
Quarto
Fifth
Quinto
Sixth
Sesto
Seventh
Settimo
Eighth
Ottavo
Ninth
Nono
Tenth
Decimo
Eleventh
Undicesimo
Twelfth
Dodicesimo
Thirteenth
Tredicesimo
Fourteenth
Quattordicesimo
Fifteenth
Quindicesimo
Sixteenth
Sedicesimo
Seventeenth
Diciassettesimo
Eighteenth
Diciottesimo
Nineteenth
Diciannovesimo
Twentieth
Ventesimo

Days of the week

Knowing the names of the days of the week will help you schedule activities, make appointments, or plan your itinerary.

Monday
Lunedi
Tuesday
Martedì
Wednesday
Mercoledì
Thursday
Giovedì
Friday
Venerdì
Saturday
Sabato
Sunday
Domenica

Months

Being familiar with the names of the months will allow you to discuss dates, make reservations, or talk about specific time frames.

January
Gennaio
February
Febbraio
March
Marzo
April
Aprile
May
Maggio
June
Giugno
July
Luglio
August
Agosto
September
Settembre
Oktober
Ottobre
November
Novembre
December
Dicembre

Question Words

Understanding basic question words like who, what, where, when, why, and how will enable you to ask for information or clarification in various situations.

What?
Che (cosa)?
What is that?
Che cos'è?
What time is it?
Che ora è?
What day is it today?
Oggi, che giorno è?
What do you like?
Cosa ti piace?
Where?
Dove?
Where is the toilet?
Dov'è il bagno?
When?
Quando?
When is the next train?
Quando c'è il prossimo treno?
Why?
Perché?
Why is it expensive?
Perché è costoso?
How?
Come?
How far is this?
Quanto è lontano?
Which?
Quale?
Which sandwich is yours?
Qual è il tuo panino?
Who?
Chi?
Who is that?
Chi è?
Who is your travel companion?
Chi è il tuo compagno di viaggio?
Whose?
Di chi?
How many?
Quanti?
How many people were at the concert?
Quante persone c'erano al concerto?
How much?
Quanto?
How much does this cost?
Quanto costa?

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Abbreviations used

infInformal
frmFormal
fFeminine
mMasculine
sgSingular
plPlural

About Me

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Hey there! I'm Rainier and I'm the person behind Roaming with Rainier. I've always been really into traveling and photography. I've been fortunate enough to visit incredible destinations and there are still so many more on my bucket list. My plan is to explore breathtaking places around the world and share my experiences through articles and reviews.

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