Travel Tips Basic Italian Words and Phrases for Your Trip to Italy Andiamo! Learn Italian while dreaming about your next trip to Italy. By Nina Ruggiero Nina Ruggiero Instagram Twitter Nina Ruggiero is Travel + Leisure's digital editorial director. A New Yorker based in Los Angeles, she has a special interest in beach destinations, outdoor adventures, unique hotels, pet-friendly travel with her golden retriever, @travelswithcali, and all things Italy. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Updated on October 1, 2020 Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Andrea Wyner 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. But if you’re traveling to Italy, you really should try to learn a few common Italian phrases and 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 Italian words and phrases to get you started. (All phrases are formal unless noted.) Related: More travel tips 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? Related: The Best Language Learning Apps to Download Before Your Next Trip 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 Related: The Top 10 Italy Resort Hotels Basic Italian Travel Words and Phrases I would like... (ordering food or buying a ticket): Vorrei... Check, please: Il conto, per favore Where is...?: Dov'è...? Tourist: Turista Airport: Aeroporto Airplane: Aereo Luggage: Bagagli Suitcase: Valigia Train: Treno Ticket: Bigletto Rental car: Auto a noleggio Bathroom: Bagno Restaurant: Ristorante Museum: Museo Church/Cathedral: Chiesa/Duomo Beach: Spiaggia Store: Negozio LightRocket/Getty Images Italian Slang Words Dope!: Che figata! Of course!: Avoglia! A lot: Un botto See you later: Ci becchiamo dopo What the heck: Che cavolo Chill!: Scialla! Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit