Basic Italian Words and Phrases for Your Trip to Italy
Andiamo! Learn Italian while dreaming about your next trip to Italy.
As a traveler with Italian roots, I’m admittedly a little biased — but there is something special about the Italian language. Whether it’s a casual conversation, a heated argument, or an artfully composed aria, everything just sounds better in Italian.
That being said, it can be daunting to blurt out a butchered Italian phrase when the locals around you are stringing gorgeous words together as effortlessly as a pastaio folds up perfect tortellini or a gondoliere glides through a Venice canal.
But if you’re traveling to Italy, you really should try to learn a few common Italian phrases and words before you go. While you’ll find plenty of English speakers in any of Italy’s major cities, most Italians will appreciate you trying their language; you may even be surprised how many new friends it makes you as you mingle at aperitivo or linger in a bustling piazza.
OK, pronto? Ready? Here are a few basic Italian words and phrases to get you started. (All phrases are formal unless noted.)
Basic Italian Words
- Hello: Ciao (informal); Salve (formal)
- Goodbye: Ciao (informal); Arrivederci (formal)
- Good morning: Buongiorno
- Good evening: Buonasera
- Goodnight: Buonanotte (use this when you’re going to bed)
- Please: Per favore; per piacere
- Thank you: Grazie
- Thanks so much: Grazie mille
- You’re welcome: Prego; Di niente
- Beautiful: Bello (masculine); Bella (feminine)
- Good: Buono (masculine); Buona (feminine)
- Friend: Amico (masculine); Amica (feminine)
- Family: Famiglia
- Well: Bene
- Bad: Male
- Yes: Sì
- No: No
- Who?: Chi?
- What?: Che?; Cosa?
- Where?: Dove?
- When?: Quando?
- Why?: Perché?
- How much?: Quanto?
Common Italian Phrases
- I love you: Ti amo (romantic); Ti voglio bene (family, friends)
- How are you?: Come sta?
- How’s it going?: Come va?
- I miss you: Mi manchi
- I don’t know: Non lo so
- All’s well: Tutto bene
- I’m sorry: Mi dispiace
- What is your name?: Come si chiama?
- My name is…: Mi chiamo…
- OK: Va bene
- Excuse me: Mi scusi
- Excuse me (passing through a crowd): Permesso
Basic Italian Travel Words and Phrases
- I would like… (ordering food or buying a ticket): Vorrei…
- Check, please: Il conto, per favore
- Where is…?: Dov’è…?
- Tourist: Turista
- Airport: Aeroporto
- Airplane: Aereo
- Luggage: Bagagli
- Suitcase: Valigia
- Train: Treno
- Ticket: Bigletto
- Rental car: Auto a noleggio
- Bathroom: Bagno
- Restaurant: Ristorante
- Museum: Museo
- Church/Cathedral: Chiesa/Duomo
- Beach: Spiaggia
- Store: Negozio
Italian Slang Words
- Dope!: Che figata!
- Of course!: Avoglia!
- A lot: Un botto
- See you later: Ci becchiamo dopo
- What the heck: Che cavolo
- Chill!: Scialla!
Source: https://bit.ly/31Q3awQ
