You don't need to speak Italian to visit Italy. English is widely spoken in tourist areas, menus have translations, Google Translate exists. But speaking even 10 Italian words changes EVERYTHING. The waiter's face softens. The shopkeeper switches from rehearsed English to genuine conversation. The nonna at the trattoria brings you the dish that's NOT on the menu. Italians don't expect you to speak Italian. They're delighted when you try. These 50 phrases, organized by situation, are the difference between being served and being welcomed. Travel tips →
Plan my Italy →1. Buongiorno (bwon-JOR-no) — Good morning/hello (until ~3pm). USE THIS EVERY TIME YOU ENTER A SHOP, BAR, RESTAURANT. The single most important word in Italian social interaction. 2. Buonasera (bwon-ah-SEH-rah) — Good evening (after ~3pm). 3. Per favore (pair fah-VOH-reh) — Please. 4. Grazie (GRAH-tsee-eh) — Thank you. 5. Scusi (SKOO-zee) — Excuse me (formal). 6. Un caffè, per favore — An espresso, please. (Your first Italian sentence.) 7. Il conto, per favore — The bill, please. 8. Dov'è...? (doh-VEH) — Where is...? 9. Quanto costa? (KWAHN-toh KOS-tah) — How much? 10. Arrivederci (ah-ree-veh-DEHR-chee) — Goodbye.
11. Un tavolo per due — A table for two. 12. Vorrei... (vor-RAY) — I would like... 13. Posso avere il menù? — Can I have the menu? 14. Cosa mi consiglia? — What do you recommend? (Magic words — the waiter picks the REAL best dish.) 15. Buono/Buonissimo! — Good/Delicious! (Say this to your waiter = instant friendship.) 16. Acqua naturale/frizzante — Still/sparkling water. 17. Un bicchiere di vino rosso/bianco — A glass of red/white wine. 18. Senza carne — Without meat (vegetarian guide →). 19. Sono allergico/a a... — I'm allergic to... 20. Il bagno, per favore? — The bathroom, please? 21. È compreso il servizio? — Is service included? (Tipping guide →) 22. Posso pagare con carta? — Can I pay by card? 23. Cameriere! (kah-meh-RYEH-reh) — Waiter! (Only in casual places.) 24. Un altro, per favore — Another one, please. 25. Complimenti allo chef — Compliments to the chef (if truly exceptional).
26. Un caffè — An espresso (NEVER say "espresso" — coffee rules →). 27. Un cappuccino — Only before 11am. 28. Un caffè macchiato — Espresso with a drop of milk (afternoon alternative to cappuccino). 29. Un caffè lungo — Slightly longer espresso (more water, not American-style). 30. Amaro, per favore — Without sugar (for Sant'Eustachio's pre-sweetened espresso).
31. Dov'è la stazione? — Where is the station? 32. Un biglietto per... — A ticket to... 33. A che ora parte il treno? — What time does the train leave? 34. Binario? — Platform (number)? 35. Fermata? — (Bus/metro) stop? 36. A destra / A sinistra / Dritto — Right / Left / Straight. 37. Vicino / Lontano — Near / Far. 38. Quanto tempo? — How long? 39. Mi sono perso/a — I'm lost (will trigger helpfulness in 100% of Italians). 40. Può aiutarmi? — Can you help me?
41. Aiuto! (ah-YOO-toh) — Help! 42. Chiami un'ambulanza — Call an ambulance. 43. Ho bisogno di un medico — I need a doctor. 44. Farmacia — Pharmacy. 45. Polizia — Police. 46. Parla inglese? — Do you speak English? 47. Non capisco — I don't understand. 48. Può parlare più lentamente? — Can you speak more slowly? 49. Come si dice... in italiano? — How do you say... in Italian? 50. Mi scusi, non parlo bene italiano — Sorry, I don't speak Italian well. (They'll smile, switch to English, and appreciate that you tried.)