Recently updated on March 15th, 2024 at 12:33 pm
Embark on your next Italian adventure with confidence! Learning a few basic Italian words and phrases is easier than you think, and it goes a long way in enriching your experience while on Italy tours.
Whether you’re navigating bustling cities, charming piazzas, or hidden trattorias, knowing a handful of common Italian phrases will not only help you get by, but also unlock a deeper connection with the culture and its friendly people. Don’t worry, you don’t need to become a master linguist – even a few basic Italian words can go a long way.
Go beyond si (yes) and non (no), ditch the phrasebook, and memorize these 40 handy Italian phrases. Who knows, you might even impress the locals!
Essential Phrases in Italian
Greetings and Farewells in Italian
If you want to greet people correctly throughout the day in Italy, there are a handful of basic Italian phrases to learn. Some of these basic Italian words are more casual, others are more formal.
If you’re wondering how to say hello in Italian, there are multiple options. When in doubt, listen to what the locals use to greet you and repeat what they’ve said.
1. Hello/Goodbye – Ciao
Ciao is a casual greeting that can be used at any time of day. To be more formal with strangers, use the Italian phrases below instead
2. Good morning. – Buongiorno
How to say good morning in Italian? Say Buongiorno in the morning and until lunch.
3. Good afternoon – Buona sera
This Italian phrase is used in the afternoon, after lunch and before dinner.
4. Boa noite – Buona notte
From 6pm onwards, use this one. You can also use it as a generic way of saying goodbye.
5. Goodbye – Arrivederci
Arrivederci is the formal way of saying goodbye in Italian. You can also say ciao.
Being polite
Now that you have Italian greetings down pat, try these common Italian phrases that are respectful and polite. Whenever you travel to a new country, it’s polite to learn how to say hello, thank you, and excuse me in the local language. If you’re visiting Italy soon it’s essential to memorize these Italian words for your trip.
6. Thank you – Grazie
7. Please – Per favore
8. You’re welcome – Prego
9. Excuse me – Mi scusi
10. I’m sorry – Mi dispiace
GO TO ITALY: Best of Italy
Getting Around in Italian
Lost in the maze of charming streets? Don’t fret! A polite “Mi scusi, come arrivo a…?” (Excuse me, how do I get to…?) can point you in the right direction.
If you choose to travel with Trafalgar, you’ll have an Italian-speaking Travel Director on hand to navigate the language. And yes, it’s still important to learn some basic Italian words so if you’re at a restaurant alone or visiting a city in Italy without the group you can find your way around.
11. Excuse me, how do I get to…? – Scusi, come arrivo a…?
If you get lost, ask a shopkeeper for directions. Follow their hands!
12. Where is the bathroom? – Dov’è il bagno?
This is one of those common phrases that you should learn in any language! At least memorize the word “bagno”.
13. How much does it cost? – Quanto costa?
This Italian phrase is useful while shopping, visiting flea markets, or asking about specials at a restaurant.
14. One ticket, please – Un biglietto, per favore
15. I understand – Capisco
Or “non capisco” if you don’t understand.
Eating out
In Italy, dining out is an experience – not just a meal. It’s not something you want to rush through as you linger over rich antipasti, savor fresh pasta, and sip local wine – ideally on an ancient piazza or overlooking the vineyards of Tuscany.
Italy embodies the Italian phrase “dolce far niente” – the sweetness of doing nothing – where you embrace long, laughter-filled conversations, and don’t rush off once the meal is done. That can be a tricky adjustment for foreigners visiting Italy.
16. The bill, please – Mi dia il conto, per favore
We’re used to fast service and getting the bill the moment we clear the plate. If you’re in a hurry, memorize this Italian phrase so you can hail your waiter and get the bill.
17. I would like… – Vorrei…
18. Can I have…? – Posso avere…?
19. Can I reserve a table? – Posso prenotare un tavolo?
20. Do you accept credit cards? – Accetta carte di credito?
Often in Europe, it’s helpful to carry some cash, especially if you plan to visit small mom-and-pop trattorias or shop at market stalls.
21. I am allergic to… – Sono allergico a… / Sono allergica a…
If you have allergies, it’s important to learn how to express that in Italian. While you might think Italy – the land of pizza and pasta – is a nightmare destination for gluten-free folk, it’s actually incredibly understanding and easy to find gluten-free meals, pasta and more.
22. Enjoy your meal! – Buon appetite!
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Shopping in Italian
Italy is famous for its fashion, so if you plan to shop for clothing or souvenirs while visiting here are some common Italian expressions and phrases to help.
23. I would like to try this on – Vorrei provare questo
24. Can you offer a better discount? – Potete offrire uno sconto migliore?
25. Can I see this in size…? – Posso vedere la taglia…?
26. It’s too expensive – È troppo caro
27. I’ll take it – Lo prendo
TOUR ITALY: Italy Bellissimo
Asking for help in Italian
Feeling lost in translation? Don’t worry, these five handy Italian phrases will equip you to navigate any situation. Whether you need assistance, clarification, or simply want to ask directions, these tools will help you bridge the language gap and ensure a smooth and successful journey.
Plus, Italians are known for their warmth, so don’t hesitate to ask for help.
28. Do you speak English? – Parli inglese?
29. Can you help me, please? – Mi aiuti, per favore?
30. I don’t understand – Non capisco
31. Can you speak slower, please? – Può parlare più lentamente, per favore?
32. Where is…? – Dov’è…?
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Useful Italian Phrases
Striking up conversations and navigating daily life is a breeze with these essential Italian phrases. Introduce yourself with “Mi chiamo…” (My name is…), and inquire about someone’s origins with “Di dove sei?” (Where do you come from?).
33. Where do you come from? – Di dove sei?
34. My name is…. – Mi Chiamo…
35. No problem – Non c’è problema
36. Is it open? – È aperto?
37. See you soon! – A presto!
38. It’s hot/cold – Fa caldo/freddo
Funny Italian Expressions
Here’s a couple of funny Italian phrases to impress yoru Italian Travel Director. These two are untranslateable idioms, where teh literal meaning makes no sense to an English speaker. Usually someone is quite advanced at the language to be able to pull one of these Italian phrases out!
39. “Break a leg!”/Good luck! – In bocca al lupo
This literally means “into the mouth of the wolf” in Italian, but it means “break a leg” or good luck. It’s super common among native Italian speakers. Instead of saying the standard buona fortuna (good luck), you’ll more likely hear “in bocca al lupo”.
For even more advanced Italian, you could reply “crepi il lupo” (“the wolf cracks”), which is to say the wolf dies. You can also just say grazie (thank you).
40. Solve a tricky situation – Salvare capra e cavoli
“To save goat and cabbages” is an Italian phrase that means finding a solution to a tricky situation without compromising any positive outcome. It’s a good one to learn and pull out if your Travel Director faces any challenging circumstances and is able to navigate and solve the situation with ease. It’s sure to make them laugh!
TOUR ITALY: Italian Holiday
Bonus: Basic Numbers in Italian
Now we couldn’t finish this without teaching you basic numbers in Italian. One of the first hurdles of Italian communication is learning the numbers 1 to 5 – uno, due, tre, quattro, cinque.
These will prove invaluable for everyday interactions. From ordering a “caffè doppio” (double espresso) to bargaining at a market, these basic numbers will open doors to smoother navigation and Italian cultural immersion.
We’ve shared 40 Italian words and phrases to use next time you’re visiting Italy. From how to say good morning in Italian, to funny Italian phrases, which ones will you learn for your Italian trip? Leave us a comment below…