Handy phrases in Italian: Super beginner edition
Fluency is the ability to easily express yourself in a language, written or spoken.
While vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation are obviously big parts of that, it's important to also learn the idioms and phrases that add flavor to the language.
After all, there's no better way to talk like a local than to use the same phrases that locals use.
Let's start at the beginning with common beginner phrases in Italian.
Greetings
| Italian | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ciao! | Hello or Goodbye | Ciao is best used in informal contexts. |
| Salve | Hello | More formal than ciao. |
| Buongiorno | Hello (lit. "Good Day") | Can be used in both informal and formal contexts; valid up to about 2-4 p.m. |
| Buonasera | Hello (lit. "Good Evening") | |
| Buonanotte | Good night | Just like in English, this is used in the context of a sendoff and not a hello. |
| Arrivederci | Goodbye | A more formal goodbye than "Ciao!" |
Being polite
| Italian | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Grazie | Thank You | |
| Prego | You're Welcome | |
| Per favore | Please | |
| Mi scusi | Excuse Me | |
| Mi dispiace | I'm sorry |
Introducing yourself
| Italian | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mi chiamo _____ | My name is ______ | |
| Di dove se? | Where are you from? | |
| Piacere! | Pleased to meet you |
Joke of the day
Un cervello entra in un bar e dice al barista, “Una birra, per favore.”
Il barista dice, “Mi dispiace, non posso servirti. Sei fuori di testa.”