Andiamo! Time to plan that trip to Italy.
As a traveler with Italian roots, I’m admittedly a little biased. But there is something special about the Italian language. Whether it’s a casual conversation, a heated argument, or an artfully-composed aria, everything just sounds better in Italian.
That being said, it can be daunting to blurt out a butchered Italian phrase when the locals around you are stringing gorgeous words together as effortlessly as a pastaio folds up perfect tortellini or a gondoliere glides through a Venice canal.
Related: How you can get a castle in Italy for free
But if you’re traveling to Italy, you really should try to learn a few words before you go. While you’ll find plenty of English speakers in any of Italy’s major cities, most Italians will appreciate you trying their language — you may even be surprised how many new friends it makes you as you mingle at aperitivo or linger in a bustling piazza.
OK, pronto? Ready? Here are a few basic words and phrases to get you started. (All phrases are formal unless noted.)
Basic Italian words
Hello: Ciao (informal); Salve (formal)
Goodbye: Ciao (informal); Arrivederci (formal)
Good morning: Buongiorno
Good evening: Buonasera
Goodnight: Buonanotte (use this when you’re going to bed)
Please: Per favore; per piacere
Thank you: Grazie
Thanks so much: Grazie mille
You’re welcome: Prego; Di niente
Beautiful: Bello (masculine); Bella (feminine)
Good: Buono (masculine); Buona (feminine)
Friend: Amico (masculine); Amica (feminine)
Family: Famiglia
Well: Bene
Bad: Male
Yes: Sì
No: No
Who?: Chi?
What?: Che?; Cosa?
Where?: Dove?
When?: Quando?
Why?: Perché?
How much?: Quanto?
Common Italian phrases
I love you: Ti amo (romantic); Ti voglio bene (family, friends)
How are you?: Come sta?
How’s it going?: Come va?
I miss you: Mi manchi
I don’t know: Non lo so
All’s well: Tutto bene
I’m sorry: Mi dispiace
What is your name?: Come si chiama?
My name is…: Mi chiamo...
OK: Va bene
Excuse me: Mi scusi
Excuse me (passing through a crowd): Permesso
Useful Italian words for travelers
Airport: Aeroporto
Train station: Stazione ferroviaria
Train: Treno
Bus: Autobus
Stop (bus, train): Fermata
Car: Macchina; Auto
Luggage: Bagagli
Ticket: Biglietto
Check: Conto
Beach: Spiaggia
Restaurant: Ristorante
Bathroom: Bagno
Store: Negozio
Hotel: Albergo
Food: Cibo
Drink: Bibita
Breakfast: Colazione
Lunch: Pranzo
Dinner: Cena
Snack: Spuntino
Appetizer: Antipasto
Wine: Vino
Beer: Birra
Street: Strada; Via
Hospital: Ospedale
Help: Aiuto
Police: Polizia
Phone: Telefono
Bank: Banca
ATM: Bancomat
Left: Sinistra
Right: Destra
Straight: Diritto
Useful Italian sayings for travelers
Where is the bathroom?: Dov’è il bagno?
Do you speak English?: Parla Inglese?
I don’t speak Italian: Non parlo Italiano
How much does it cost?: Quanto costa?
Check, please: Il conto, per favore
Will that be all?: Basta così?
Cheers!: Salute!; Cin cin!
I’m lost: Mi sono perso
Let’s go: Andiamo
I would like...: Vorrei…
I like…: Mi piace…
I don’t like…: Non mi piace...
It’s hot: Fa caldo
It’s cold: Fa freddo
I am from/I come from…: Sono di/Vengo da…
