You have to learn phrases in Italian before going to Italy
If you are planning a trip to Italy, learning basic Italian sentences will help you to better navigate every situation and to round a well -planned travel route that includes places, sights and Italian cultural experiences. While English is spoken almost everywhere, Italians will appreciate them that they say common Italian words and expressions that we use in everyday conversations.
If you want to deepen your connection to Italian culture and make friendly Italians, I have put together this basic Italian phrase guide to make it easier for you to get started. As an Italian, I grouped phrases and sentences in categories of everyday life.
Common words in Italian
These basic Italian words and short phrases help you to learn Italian for your trip to Italy. These are the most common words that you will need in everyday life in Italy.
Thanks = Thanks (informal).
Thanks 1000 (We use this sentence a lot) literally 1000 thanks. It translates: Thank you very much. Thank you.
nail = Like to happen. Reply to Grazie!
Please… Mi Puo Dire…. = Can you please … Tell me … when I ask for something.
We Italians use the word nail In many different contexts. Here are the most common:
Nail* = Translated: continue (mi dica) and follow me (mi segua) in this way (da questa parte). Here it is (ecco qui).
forgiveness = Sorry / apology.
I’m sorry = I’m sorry
Yes = Yes – NO = NR
Greetings in Italian
Italians are famous for CiaoWhat is used to say hello and bye. However, we use CIAO informally. I recommend using Buon Giorno and Buona Sera instead of Ciao when traveling in Italy.
Good morning = Good morning + good day
Good evening = Good evening. (after 5 p.m.)
Good night = Good night
Until we meet again = Bye. Goodbye. (We use it formally; instead you would use CIAO instead).
Ciao (Informal greeting) means “hello”, “hello” and “bye”. It is only used in people they know.
How are you doing? How are you doing? You can tell people who don’t know.
Enjoyment = Nice to meet you .. (literally translated I’m pleased)))
Welcome, welcome, welcome back = Welcome. Welcome Home. Welcome back.
Short phrases to order coffee and food in Italy
Drinking coffee is part of Italian culture. Even if you are not a coffee drinker, enter a bar in Italy, our standard starting point for a Caffè al bar, breakfast (Colazione) or aperestivo. Here are a few sentences you will need
I would like to have a coffee* = I would like to have a coffee – At the table = served at the table = To the bank = at the switch
Can I order? Can I order?
I would like to have a brioche/ a croissant / A sandwich = I would like to have a brioche, I would like a croissant, I would like to have a panino
I would like to have a pizza = I would like a pizza
Take away = Take away
Nothing more, thank you = That’s enough, that’s it, thank you.
I would like to have an aperitif = I would like to have an aperitives
As much as = How much does it cost?
I pay the coffee = I pay the coffee …
The rest = Here is the change.
*Various Italian words for coffee: Smooth coffee (simple) long coffee (long) short coffee (short) colored coffee (with a dash of milk foam) Real coffee (with grappa) a cappuccino. A milk coffee (coffee with milk + foam in a glass).
Throughout Italy you will find hundreds of local opportunities to order and name coffee differently. Trieste and Napoli stop after their glamorous coffee culture. Check how to order coffee in Trieste.
Italian words and sentences used in the restaurant
You will receive a fixed menu in a restaurant and can also order à la carte. An additional Menu of the day, Which is the daily menu. It is common to book a place for dinner in busy areas. Make sure you ask about variations whether you are intolerant or allergic to something. Please tell the waiter and he will point out which dishes fit your case.
I would like to have a table = I would like a table for 1/2/3
A table for me for 2 – for 3 = I would like to have a table for one for two, for three,
I would like a table in the garden on the terrace = I want to sit in the garden, terrace.
Lunch = Lunch – Cena = Dinner
The menu, the menu of the day, the wine list = The menu, the daily menu, the wine menu.
What do you recommend? = What do you recommend?
I am a vegget/o. – I don’t eat meat, fish, = I’m a vegetarian, I don’t eat meat, fish,
I am intolerant towards / I am allergic / or al = I’m intoller, on … / I am allergic to …
The account please = Please the invoice.
Can I pay by credit card? = Can I pay by credit card?
Useful phrases to get directions in Italy
If you ask about instructions, make sure that you have an address or Google Maps open to get a better understanding. Family familiarize yourself with these important Italian words for instructions:
Where is this seat? = Where is this place?
How do I reach this place? How do I get this place?
Can I go on foot? Can I go?
How far is it? = What is the distance?
I have lost myself, can it help me? = I am lost. Can you please help me?
Right = Right,
Left = Left,
Straight = Straight,
Avanti = Ahead,
On the bottom of the street = At the end of the street
Over = Street
piazza = Square
Words and phrases for dealing with trains, U -Bahn, buses
In the train, bus and U -Bahn stations, it can sometimes be a bit overwhelming to navigate in a large place, buy tickets, find the right railway rail numbers and validate tickets. These important Italian words help you:
Where do I buy the train, bus, U -Bahn ticket? = Where do I buy the train/bus/u -Bahn ticket?
Where is the ticket window? Where is the ticket window?
Where are the automatic machines? = Where are the ticket machines?
Where is valid for the train ticket? = Where can I validate the ticket?
What stop I go down? = Which stop do I get out?
In which direction? = In which direction?
How many stops? = How many stops?
How much does the ticket cost for …? = How much does the ticket cost?
Is there a delay? = Is there a delay? Is there a binary change? = The train railway has changed.
Railroad station = Train station – bus station = Bus station
Basic Italian words for shopping
I would like to try this dress, these pants, shoes = I would like to try this dress, the pants, scarpe
I need the size 40/42/44/46 …. = I need size 6/8/10….
I need the size of the shoes 38/40/42 = I need the shoe size 5/6/7….
I want this dress in a different color: red/black/green/blue/yellow =
I want this dress in a different color: red/black/green/blue/yellow.
Funny Italian words that you have to learn
In Italy we use many expressions to say the abbreviations of an entire sentence or just a way of saying in colloquial conversations. Here are the most common funny Italian words you have to learn before you go to Italy:
It’s easy = Stop it
Boh = I don’t know and you will often hear it among friends and people who know each other.
That’s better = Thank god, or that’s good.
Long = Come on, hurry up.
Forget it = Don’t worry, that’s not a problem
Calm / calm = Don’t worry, nothing to worry about
Hope we hope = I wish it would happen if it only happened
The cool = That’s cool, what a cool thing.
The ball = What pain in …
Hello beautiful / cia dear = Hi Beautiful, Hello dear (used among friends and people who know each other) only for women/girls.
What can you say to get help in Italian
These short Italian sentences help you in every emergency where you need help and immediate support in Italy.
Help = Help or I need help! = I need help.
I lost my bag, wallet, my passport = I lost my bag, my wallet, my passport
I do not feel good = I don’t feel good
I need a doctor = I need a doctor
Call 112 Emergency = Call 112 (Emergency in Italy)
Call the police! = Call the police!
Call a doctor = Call a doctor
These important Italian sentences and words help you help you Plan an Italian journey And make it more pleasant. If you want more help, you are welcome to have the opportunity. We are locals and travel experts in Italy and offer Italy Trip-Planing services Solo travelers and groups of friends and family members who visit Italy.
Other guides and useful tools for Italy.
Check our Italy small group tours for over 50
Our Guide to the best places where you can stay in Venice
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