If you are reading this article, you are probably interested in learning Italian.
Or do you want to go to Italy and prepare well for the trip?
Or maybe you stumbled upon this guide by accident...
Whatever the reason, after about 7-8 minutes that it will take you to read this post, you will surely learn many common Italian idioms.
And you will surely learn more about the Italian language, culture and people.
The magic of the Italian language
So why is this country and its language so fascinating?
It's a bit difficult to list all the reasons, but here are some of them:
- Italian culture is a perfect combination of food, music, architecture, art and family love.
- Italians are kind, cheerful people and always willing to help.
- The Italian language descends from the Latin language and is part of the family of Romance languages, which in turn is one of the first languages in the world and the one that endowed each individual language with at least 50 words.
And so on and so on.
We could go on with the list, but the main reason you are reading this article is to learn some quintessential Italian phrases.
In this article, we have listed the most common Italian phrases that can do this.help you with quick everyday conversationswhether you want to ask for help or have a quick chat.
Remember that real practice is always the best way to learn a language or to maintain the level you already have.
One-on-one online lessons with native Italian speakers on the Justlearn platform are worth trying.
You can choose your teacher and start perfecting your Italian today.
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Prepare for a visit to Italy with these most common Italian phrases
We have divided the sentences into chapters so that you can prepare for today's lesson:
- Greetings
- introduction
- Pay
- What time is it?
- Be polite
- Basic question words
- "I don't understand" phrases
- Asking for help
- Basic phrases to ask for directions
- Quickly answers
- farewell
greetings in italian
Greetings are the basis of all languages.
Knowing how to use them can make a good first impression when speaking to Italians.
Some of them can be used formally, while others are more appropriate for informal situations, mainly among friends and family.
Bye bye! - Hello Goodbye
There is no person in the world who does not know what "Ciao" means.
It can be translated as "hello" or "goodbye" and is very informal, which means you can only use it with people you know well.
Ointment! - Hello
"Hail", on the other hand, is more formal, and what differentiates this expression from the first is that it can be used at any time of the day.
Good to see you!- How glad to see you!
Hail, are you coming? - Hello how are you?
Buongiorno – Good morning/afternoon
Greetings during the day are typically Italian.
Since they are very polite and friendly, you can hear "buongiorno" everywhere.
This expression is used to say "good morning" but also "good morning".
It can be used from morning to after lunch.
good afternoon Good afternoon
The expression "Buon pomeriggio" means "good day" and can be used from lunch to dinner.
good night Good Night
Good night! Good nightT
introduction
You should start every conversation with an introduction.
It's also something you have to learn if you want to talk to people, especially Italians, who love to talk.
Are you coming Chiami? - What is your name?
are you coming chiama? - What is your name?
The difference between these two expressions is that the first is informal and therefore used between family and friends, while the second is formal.
My name is... - My name is...
I'm I'm…
The phrase "Me chiamo" literally means "I call myself".
The other means "I am".
This phrase can be used not only to tell others your name but also your nationality.
For example, you can say "Sono Eva", which means "I am Eva", that is, "My name is Eva".
You can also say "Sono Inglese" which means "I am English."
Say where? - Where it is?
Where it is? Where it is?
I'm italian). - I'm italian)
The sentence "Di dov'è" is formal while the other is informal. The answers are the same in both cases, as in the previous example.
Piacero. - I'm glad to meet you.
I am pleased. - The pleasure is mine.
These phrases are the most used phrases when you meet someone for the first time.
Pay
Numbers, especially one through ten, are something you need all the time, whether you're paying the bills, checking the time, or ordering coffee.
If you know or speak a Romance language other than French or Spanish, this is a no-brainer for you.
If you don't, don't worry. You can learn them in no time as they are quite easy to remember.
- One - one in Italian
- due - two
- three - three
- four – fri
- Five - five
- six six
- sofa - seven
- autumn - eight
- Nuevo
- Ten Ten
check it outPractical guide to Italian numbersLearn more.
What time is it?
Here's a quick guide on how to tell time in Italian.
It's good to know that Italians use a 24-hour clock. So if you want to say something about 4 p.m. m., you have to say 16.
What time is it?
É l'una.- It's 1 in the morning.
It's ten minutes past one. - It's 1:10 am.
It's noon - It's noon.
It's half past eleven, it's 12:30.
It is mezzanotte.- Es medianoche.
It's two o'clock. - It is two in the morning.
It's a quarter past two. - It's 2:15 am.
It's 15. - It's three.
It's twenty-two to ten. - It's 9:50 p.m.
Do you want to learn more?
Take a look at these usefulGuide to display the time in Italian.
Be polite
Courtesy is a matter of culture, not only for Italians, but for us as a people.
If the conversations are pleasant, the atmosphere is positive.
So it's good to know some phrases that express courtesy also in Italian.
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Thank you Danke
Mile of grace - Thank you
Molte grazie - Thank you very much.
Piacere - Nice to meet you
Please; Please; Please please
These three terms are synonymous and the meaning is the same.
According to native Italians, the only difference between them is the part of the country where you use them.
¡Prego!- ¡You're welcome!/ definitely
This phrase is also known worldwide.
Many get confused with its usage as it is used frequently and in many different situations.
It literally means "You're welcome" and is often used after someone has said "Grazie".
It can be used as "Come in" when entering a house or room with a wave of the hand, as well as "How may I help you?" by a merchant.
Yes figure!- It's nothing
Sorry Sorry
Can you repeat please?
Basic question words
Without knowing a few question words, you might get stuck when you want to ask something. In the following lines you will find some of the most common.
chi? - Who?
was was?
When? - When?
Pigeon? - Where?
Because, why?
Come? - As?
How much? - How much?
"I don't understand" phrases
If you are a beginner, there will be situations where you don't understand something or don't know how to express your thoughts.
But don't be discouraged. It is perfectly normal when you learn a new language.
We have listed some of the expressions that can be useful in these cases.
Sorry, I don't understand - I don't understand!
I do not speak Italian very well
What does it mean? - What does that mean?
Speak English? - Speak English?
excuse me, I'm sorry
Not like that - I don't know
well well
Nevermind Nevermind
Asking for help
You may find some useful phrases in the following lines when you need to ask someone for help.
Where is the station?
sorry, where is the bathroom? - Where is the restroom?
How far is the Colosseum? - How far is the Colosseum?
Where can you get the best ice cream?
How to get to Piazza della Repubblica?
Basic Italian Phrases for Asking for Directions
like asking for helpExpressions to ask someone for directions, are just as useful as any other phrase.
How long is the trip? –How long does it take?
Where am I going now? Where am I supposed to go now?
When do you leave? - When it starts?
What time is it right now)? - What time is it right now)?
I would like to go to… – Quiero ir a…
What time is the next train/bus for... What time is the next train/bus for...?
How much does it cost? - How much does it cost?
And the possible answers you could get:
turn right - turn right
Turn left – turn left
Is near
It's over there – Está por allí
One ticket / Two tickets
This train/bus stops at …. – Does this train/bus stop at...?
Mi scusi, è qui... - Excuse me, is that...? – On the bus/train if you don't know when to get off.
Quickly answers
Short and quick answers are a must if you want to have a conversation in Italian.
Take a look and memorize these Italian quick fixes. As you can see, they are not difficult to learn, so go ahead.
and and
no no
Sorry, I don't understand - I don't understand!
I do not speak Italian very well
What does it mean? - What does that mean?
Speak English? - Speak English?
excuse me, I'm sorry
Not like that - I don't know
well well
Nevermind Nevermind
farewell
Just like greetings, saying goodbye is important.
These are some of the basic and frequently used phrases to say goodbye.
Bye Bye
Arrivederla!- Goodbye!
Although the expression "Arrivederci" is used much more frequently, it is important to note that this expression is used for the "goodbye" of one or more people. However, the expression "Arrivederia" is intended for a single person and is quite formal.
A Dopo! - See you later!
¡Presto!- ¡Bis bald!
Although we can see the difference between these two phrases, it is important to understand that the phrase "A dopo" is somewhat informal and more colloquial, while the phrase "A presto" is more formal than the first.
A little cold, see you soon.
A domani!- See you tomorrow!
Diploma
As you can see, the common Italian phrases are not difficult, but they are very useful.
There is no need to be afraid or nervous when starting a conversation in Italian.
Remember what we said: they are polite, friendly and always ready to help.
The Italian tutors are the same; You have another advantage: teaching experience, availability and a pleasant atmosphere.
Find your new Italian teacher here
In the end, don't hesitate to ask for help whenever you need it and believe in yourself.
FAQs
What is a common Italian saying? ›
Start learning the most common Italian phrases
Mi scusi: Excuse me. Mi dispiace: I am sorry. Ciao!: Hello/Goodbye (informal) Non c'è problema: No problem. Buona sera: Good evening.
What Italian phrases must I know? We've covered most of the essentials here including hello (ciao), goodbye (ciao), please (per favore), thank you (grazie), and excuse me (mi scusi).
What is the most famous Italian quote? ›Veni, vidi, vici. (“I came, I saw, I conquered.”) In Italian, it's: Venni, vidi, vinsi. This is probably the oldest and most memorable of all the popular Italian quotes, and it comes from ancient Italian times (and more precisely, from ancient Rome).
What is the most common Italian greeting? ›The common verbal greeting is “Ciao” (Hello). This is quite casual. People may also say “Buongiorno” (Good day) or “Buonasera” (Good evening) to be more formal. Address a person by their title and last name, and continue to do so until invited to move to a first-name basis.
What is the hardest Italian word to say? ›- pèsca. feminine. (n) peach. Le pesche provengono originariamente dalla Cina, ma ora sono coltivate in tutto il mondo. ...
- ghiaccio. masculine. (n) ice. ...
- pésca. feminine. (n) fishing. ...
- cinque. masculine. (n) five. ...
- già (a) already.
- scherzo. masculine. (n) prank.
- chiacchierare. (v) chat.
- segno. masculine. (n) sign.
Arrabbiato means angry in Italian. It comes from rabbia (anger) and it can be used in all kinds of situations. A slang word for the same feeling is incavolato or the slightly more rude incazzato. If something 'makes you angry', use the construction “mi fa arrabbiare/incavolare/incazzare”.
What are the most beautiful Italian sayings? ›These are some beautiful Italian quotes: Amici si nasce, non si diventa. Friends are born, not made. "Se non hai mai pianto, i tuoi occhi non possono essere belli." If you haven't cried, your eyes can't be beautiful. "L'amore non è bello se non è litigarello." Love is not beautiful if it is not a quarrel.
What are beautiful sayings in Italy? ›Ogni giorno ha il suo amore e dolore./Every day she has her love and her pain. Amore non è senza amaro./Love is not without bitterness. L'amore non è bello se non è litigarello./ Amor senza baruffa, fa la muffa./Love is not beautiful if it is not a quarrel. / Love without a quarrel, it makes mold.
What is the most famous line of all time? ›- “ May the Force be with you.” - Star Wars, 1977.
- “ There's no place like home.” - The Wizard of Oz, 1939.
- “ I'm the king of the world!” - ...
- “ Carpe diem. ...
- “ Elementary, my dear Watson.” - ...
- “ It's alive! ...
- “ My mama always said life was like a box of chocolates. ...
- “ I'll be back.” -
Chi dorme non piglia pesci.
This well-known Italian proverb of ancient origin is used to warn those lazy ones among us that without work and commitment, it's impossible to get what you want or need. The proverb is therefore a real exhortation to get busy because nothing is achieved without effort.
What is a nice Italian quote? ›
These are some beautiful Italian quotes: Amici si nasce, non si diventa. Friends are born, not made. "Se non hai mai pianto, i tuoi occhi non possono essere belli." If you haven't cried, your eyes can't be beautiful. "L'amore non è bello se non è litigarello." Love is not beautiful if it is not a quarrel.
What are some beautiful Italian sayings? ›Ogni giorno ha il suo amore e dolore./Every day she has her love and her pain. Amore non è senza amaro./Love is not without bitterness. L'amore non è bello se non è litigarello./ Amor senza baruffa, fa la muffa./Love is not beautiful if it is not a quarrel. / Love without a quarrel, it makes mold.
What do Italian people say when something is good? ›If you'd like to say “very good” in Italian, you'd generally say “molto bene.” That said, there are some common informal and/or slang expressions that convey the same idea: benissimo.
What are popular Italian toasts? ›What do Italian people say when raising a glass? The most popular ways of making a toast in Italian are "cin cin", "salute", "alla nostra" (or the extended version "alla nostra salute").