ITALIANSome words and phrases definitely become necessity and unavoidable whether the communication is between known people or among strangers. The following phrases will try to make this just as fun for you as you learn Italian!
GREETING PEOPLE:
Greeting people and introducing yourself does fall in the general basics of communication. And if you are in Italy, then you better do it in Italian, as this definitely bring a comfort level between you and the people you interact and deal with.
In Italy, saying "hello" depends on how well you know a person and that person's relationship with you. This is because, unlike English, Italian uses formal and informal phrases for greeting people.
| ENGLISH | ITALIAN |
| Good morning | Buongiorno (BWOH-JOHR-no) |
| Good evening | Buona sera (BWOH-nah SEH-rah) |
| Good night | Buona notte (BWOH-nah NO-tah) |
| Hello and Goodbye | Ciao(CHOW) |
INTRODUCING YOURSELF:
| ENGLISH | ITALIAN |
| My name is Venere (Venus) | Io mi chiamo Venere |
| I am Venere |
Mi chiamo Venere |
| I am Italian | Io sono Italiana(f) / Italiano(m) |
| I live in Italy | Io abito in Italia |
| I work in Florence | Io lavoro a Firenze |
| What is he/she doing? | che cosa fa |
| What are you doing? | Come si dice |
| What does he do? | Che cosa fa David? |
| David is an architect | David fa l'architetto |
| I am a very beautiful and famous woman | Io sono una donna molto bella e famosa |
| I am a very beautiful and famous man | Io sono un uomo molto bello e famoso |
Even if you don't speak a word of Italian, it is easy to learn some basic phrases that will help you communicate. Italians will be pleased about the simplest attempts to speak their language.
| ENGLISH | ITALIAN |
| Please | per favore (PER FAH-vohr-ray) |
| Thank you | grazie (GRAH-zee) |
| Yes | sì |
| No | no |
| Where | dove (DOH-vay) |
| I would like | vorrei (vohr-RAY) |
Sometimes just pointing out to whatever you want does help but do remember to say a "per favore" at the end.
In case all of the above fails, the last you can do is ask,
"Do you speak English?" "Parla inglese?" (PAHR-lay een-GLAY-say)
The Italian stranger can probably find someone who does and this might get you some help.
USING POLITE PHRASES:
Some words and phrases definitely become necessity and unavoidable whether the communication is between known people or among strangers. The following phrases will try to make this just as fun for you as you learn Italian!
| ENGLISH | ITALIAN |
| Excuse me | Mi scusi. (SKew-zee) |
| Pardon me | Mi perdoni. |
| I'm sorry | Mi dispiace |
| You're welcome | Prego. (PREH-goh) |
| I don't understand | Non capisco |
| I don't feel well. | Non mi sento bene. (Non mee sen-toe ben-nay) |
| We have eaten very well! | Abbiamo mangiato molto bene! |
| I was not involved | non ero implicato |
| It was Will's idea! | Era idea del William! |
ASKING QUESTIONS AND DIRECTIONS:
Here we present some simple questions that will help you get some basic answers and help you travel with out much trouble.
| ENGLISH | ITALIAN |
| Who, what, where, when?Who? | Qui? (kee) |
| Where? | Dov'è? (Dough-vay) |
| When? | Quando? (Kwan-dough) |
| What? | Che cosa? (kah coh-sah) |
| How? | Come? (koh-may) |
| How much? | Quanto? (Kwan-toh) |
| What time is it? | Che ora è? (kay or-ah eh) |
| How much is it? | Quanto costa? (KWAN-toe kos-tah) |
| How is it going? | Come va? (coh-meh vah) |
| How are you? | Come sta? (coh-meh stah) |
| What's today's weather? | Che tempo fa oggi? (KAY tem-poh fah oh-gee) |
| Is it raining? | Sta piovendo? |
| Where do you live? | Dove abiti? |
| Where is the station? | Dov'è la stazione? (DOH-vay lah stah-see-own-nay) |
| Where is the closest hospital? | ve è l'ospedale più vicino? |
| Where is the bathroom? | Dov'è la toletta?(Doh-vay la twa-let-tah) |
| How do you get there? | Come si arriva lì? |
| Which way? | Per dove? |
ORDER FOOD AND DRINKS IN ITALIAN:
For a quick and cheap bite, try a bar. For a casual dining experience, visit a pizzerie. Visit a tavola calda if you want a hot meal to go. Multiple courses are encouraged while eating at full-fledged restaurants like ristorantes or trattorias.
You can plainly and confidently order food and drinks in a restaurant in Italy, even if you don't speak a word of Italian. Some common phrases will help you communicate with your waiter, so you'll have a smooth and memorable experience. Buon appetito!
| ENGLISH | ITALIAN |
| Waiter | Cameriere (kahm-may-rare-eh) |
| The check | Il conto (eel cont-oh) |
| The menu | Il menu. (eel men-oo) |
| I would like... | Vorrei (vohr-ray) |
| Could we have...? | Potremmo avere (poh-TREHM-moh ah-VEH-reh) |
The food course includes a variety few of which have been listed here:
| appetizer | antipasto |
| for first course I'd like … | Per primi, vorrei … |
| frutti di mare | seafood |
| second course | secondo or secondo piatto |
| vegetable side dish | contorni |
| sweets | dolci |
| Once you've been seated summon the waiter "Please?" | "Per favore?" |
| The waiter will ask you what you'd like to drink | "Da bere?" |
Order one course at a time, start with an antipasto. Then choose your primo piatto which is usually pasta or soup. If you're still hungry, order a secondo piatto which is typically meat or fish.
You don't have to order every course.
| The waiter may say | "E dopo?" which means "And then?" |
| Let him know you're done with the order | "E tutto" which means "That's all" |
Look for “dolci” on the menu if you want dessert, but be aware that Italians usually prefer cheese, fruit, sweet wine or simply coffee to end a meal. Cannoli is always a fabulous choice.
Ask for the bill by saying "Il conto, per favore"
Check if the bill includes "servizio," or a service charge, usually 12 to 15 percent of the total. If it does, you needn't add a tip, else it is important to give a good tip for the service.
