You don't need to speak Italian to visit Italy. But 50 phrases change EVERYTHING. The waiter's face when you order in Italian. The shopkeeper who gives you a better price because you tried. The grandmother who corrects your pronunciation and then insists you sit down for coffee. Italian effort = Italian warmth. These 50 phrases take 30 minutes to learn and improve every interaction for the rest of your trip. Cultural words →
1. Buongiorno (bwon-JOR-no) — Good morning/day. SAY THIS when entering ANY shop, bar, restaurant, pharmacy. THE most important word in Italy. 2. Buonasera (bwon-ah-SEH-rah) — Good evening (use after ~3-4pm). 3. Grazie (GRAH-tsee-eh) — Thank you. 4. Per favore (pair fah-VOR-eh) — Please. 5. Mi scusi (mee SKOO-zee) — Excuse me (formal). Scusa (SKOO-zah) — Excuse me (informal). 6. Parla inglese? (PAR-lah een-GLEH-zeh?) — Do you speak English? 7. Il conto, per favore (eel KON-toh pair fah-VOR-eh) — The bill, please. 8. Dov'è...? (doh-VEH?) — Where is...? 9. Quanto costa? (KWAN-toh KOS-tah?) — How much does it cost? 10. Non capisco (non kah-PEE-sko) — I don't understand.
11. Un caffè, per favore — An espresso. 12. Un cappuccino — A cappuccino (morning only). 13. Un'acqua naturale/frizzante — Still/sparkling water. 14. Una birra — A beer. 15. Un bicchiere di vino rosso/bianco — A glass of red/white wine. 16. Vorrei... (vor-RAY) — I would like... 17. Per me... (pair meh) — For me... 18. Posso avere...? (POS-so ah-VEH-reh?) — Can I have...? 19. Il menu, per favore — The menu, please. 20. Cosa mi consiglia? (KO-zah mee kon-SEEL-yah?) — What do you recommend? THE magic phrase. The waiter lights up. You get the best dish. 21. Buono/Buonissimo! (BWOH-no/bwoh-NEES-see-mo) — Good/Very good! 22. Complimenti al cuoco (kom-plee-MEN-tee ahl KWO-ko) — Compliments to the chef. Say this and the chef WILL appear at your table. 23. Sono vegetariano/a — I'm vegetarian. 24. Sono celiaco/a — I'm celiac. 25. Senza glutine — Gluten-free. 26. Allergico/a a... — Allergic to... 27. Niente formaggio — No cheese. 28. Il piatto del giorno — The dish of the day. 29. Pranzo/Cena — Lunch/Dinner. 30. Tavolo per due — Table for two.
31. A destra/A sinistra — To the right/To the left. 32. Dritto/Sempre dritto — Straight ahead. 33. Vicino/Lontano — Near/Far. 34. La stazione — The train station. 35. L'aeroporto — The airport. 36. Un biglietto per... — A ticket to... 37. A che ora parte? — What time does it leave? 38. Andata/Andata e ritorno — One-way/Round trip. 39. È aperto/chiuso? — Is it open/closed? 40. Posso provare? — Can I try it on? (shopping). 41. Troppo caro — Too expensive. 42. C'è uno sconto? — Is there a discount? 43. Aiuto! (ah-YOO-toh!) — Help! 44. Ho bisogno di un medico — I need a doctor. 45. Chiamate la polizia — Call the police. 46. Mi sono perso/a — I'm lost. 47. Dov'è il bagno? — Where is the bathroom? 48. Sì/No — Yes/No. 49. Prego — You're welcome / Please go ahead / Here you go (the most versatile Italian word). 50. Arrivederci (ah-ree-veh-DEHR-chee) — Goodbye (formal). Ciao — Hello AND goodbye (informal — use with people your age or younger).