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