Basic phrases before your holiday in Italy
Are you planning a holiday in Italy?Even a few basic phrases will help you feel more confident and show respect to the locals. Italians will appreciate it if you try to say at least simple words in their language. Here are the most important ones:
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Basic Greetings and Polite Phrases
Ciao! (chow) – Hi! (informal)Buongiorno! (bwohn-JOHR-noh) – Good morning / Good day!
Buonasera! (bwoh-nah-SEH-rah) – Good evening!
Arrivederci! (ah-ree-veh-DEHR-chee) – Goodbye!
Basic Politeness
Per favore (pehr fah-VOH-reh) – PleaseGrazie (GRAHT-tsyeh) – Thank you
Prego (PREH-goh) – You’re welcome / Here you go
Mi scusi (mee SKOO-zee) – Excuse me / Sorry
Basic Questions in Italian
Quanto costa? (KWAHN-toh KOH-stah) – How much does it cost?Dove si trova il bagno? (DOH-veh see TROH-vah eel BAH-nyoh) – Where is the bathroom?
Parla inglese? (PAR-lah een-GLAY-zeh) – Do you speak English?
Può aiutarmi? (PWAW ah-yoo-TAR-mee) – Can you help me?
Phrases for Restaurants and Shopping
Vorrei un caffè, per favore. (vor-RAY oon kah-FEH, pehr fah-VOH-reh) – I would like a coffee, please.Il conto, per favore. (eel KON-toh, pehr fah-VOH-reh) – The bill, please.
Acqua naturale / frizzante, per favore. (AHK-kwah nah-too-RAH-leh / freet-ZAN-teh, pehr fah-VOH-reh) – Still / sparkling water, please.
If You Get Lost
Mi sono perso / persa. (mee SOH-noh PEHR-soh [male] / PEHR-sah [female]) – I am lost.Può mostrarmi sulla mappa? (PWAW moh-STRAHR-mee SOOL-lah MAP-pah) – Can you show me on the map?
Italian Phrases at the Airport
Dov’è il check-in? (doh-VEH eel chek-EEN) – Where is the check-in?Dov’è il gate numero [10]? (doh-VEH eel gate NOO-meh-roh [dyeh-chee]) – Where is gate number [10]?
Dove posso ritirare i bagagli? (DOH-veh POS-soh ree-tee-RAH-reh ee bah-GAHL-yee) – Where can I collect my luggage?
Ho perso il mio bagaglio. (oh PEHR-soh eel MEE-oh bah-GAHL-yoh) – I have lost my luggage.
Devo compilare questo modulo? (DEH-voh kom-pee-LAH-reh KWEHS-toh MOH-doo-loh) – Do I need to fill out this form?
Quanto tempo ci vuole per arrivare in centro? (KWAHN-toh TEM-poh chee VWOH-leh pehr ah-ree-VAH-reh een CHEN-troh) – How long does it take to get to the city center?
A Final Tip
If you forget a phrase, a smile and the word “Grazie” will always open doors for you in Italy.
Prepare these phrases on your phone or on paper, and you will feel more confident when ordering espresso or asking for directions while exploring the beautiful streets of Italy.
Download your Italian phrases PDF