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Top 50 Phrases in Italian
Italian is one of the most musical languages in the world. These 50 phrases range from "Buongiorno" to ordering espresso — all with native audio.
Practice in the LingoSwipe App →Each phrase includes native audio, an English translation, and cultural notes where relevant. Tap any play button to listen.
👋 Saluti — Greetings & Goodbyes
1.
Buongiorno.
Good morning. / Good day.
Always say buongiorno when entering a shop — skipping it is considered rude.
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2.
Buonasera.
Good evening.
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3.
Ciao!
Hi! / Bye! (Casual)
Ciao is only for friends and people you know well — use buongiorno with strangers.
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4.
Arrivederci.
Goodbye. (Formal)
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5.
Come sta?
How are you? (Formal)
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6.
Piacere!
Pleased to meet you!
Close friends greet with two kisses on the cheek — left first, then right.
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7.
A presto!
See you soon!
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8.
Buonanotte.
Good night.
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9.
Come si chiama?
What is your name? (Formal)
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10.
Benvenuto!
Welcome!
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🙏 Cortesia — Essential Politeness
11.
Grazie.
Thank you.
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12.
Prego.
You're welcome. / Please. / Go ahead.
Prego is the response to grazie, but also means 'please go ahead', 'here you are', and 'please come in'.
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13.
Per favore.
Please.
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14.
Scusi.
Excuse me. (Formal)
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15.
Mi dispiace.
I am sorry.
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16.
Sì.
Yes.
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17.
No.
No.
Flicking the chin upward is an Italian gesture meaning no or I don't know.
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18.
Non capisco.
I don't understand.
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19.
Va bene.
OK. / That's fine. / All right.
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20.
Certo!
Of course! / Certainly!
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🗺️ Orientarsi — Getting Around
21.
Parla inglese?
Do you speak English?
Always lead with buongiorno — jumping straight to English without a greeting feels abrupt.
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22.
Dov'è...?
Where is...?
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23.
Quanto costa?
How much does it cost?
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24.
Un biglietto, per favore.
One ticket, please.
Always validate your bus or metro ticket immediately — inspectors issue heavy fines for unvalidated tickets.
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25.
Mi sono perso.
I am lost.
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26.
Il conto, per favore.
The bill, please.
Waiters will not bring the bill until asked — it is considered rude to rush a customer.
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27.
Posso avere...?
Can I have...?
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28.
Parlo poco italiano.
I speak a little Italian.
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29.
Aiuto!
Help!
Emergency numbers in Italy: Police 113 · Ambulance 118 · Fire 115 · Pan-European 112.
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30.
Chiami un medico!
Call a doctor!
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🍕 Cibo e Bevande — Food & Drink
31.
Un caffè, per favore.
A coffee, please.
Italians only drink cappuccino in the morning — ordering one after lunch is a tourist giveaway.
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32.
Buon appetito!
Enjoy your meal!
Always wait for the host to say buon appetito before beginning to eat.
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33.
È squisito!
It is exquisite! / Delicious!
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34.
Salute!
Cheers! / To your health!
Never toast with water — it is considered bad luck in Italian culture.
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35.
Sono vegetariano.
I am vegetarian.
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36.
Senza glutine, per favore.
Gluten-free, please.
Italy has excellent gluten-free options — many restaurants have a dedicated senza glutine menu.
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37.
Una bottiglia d'acqua, per favore.
A bottle of water, please.
Rome's public drinking fountains — nasoni — have excellent cold water. Perfectly safe to drink.
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38.
Il menù, per favore.
The menu, please.
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39.
Vorrei prenotare un tavolo.
I would like to book a table.
Book ahead for dinner at good Italian restaurants — popular spots fill up days in advance on weekends.
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40.
Che cosa mi consiglia?
What do you recommend?
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🏙️ Vita quotidiana — Everyday Life
41.
Dov'è il bagno?
Where is the bathroom?
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42.
Quanto tempo ci vuole?
How long does it take?
Un attimo — literally 'one moment' — can mean anything from 30 seconds to 20 minutes in Italy.
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43.
Sto imparando l'italiano.
I am learning Italian.
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44.
Accettate carte di credito?
Do you accept credit cards?
Smaller Italian shops and markets often prefer or require cash — always ask first.
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45.
È troppo caro.
It is too expensive.
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46.
Che bello!
How beautiful! / How lovely!
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47.
Non lo so.
I don't know.
Palms up, shoulders raised — the classic Italian shrug is the universal non lo so gesture.
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48.
A che ora apre?
What time does it open?
Many Italian shops close 1–4pm for riposo. A che ora chiude — what time does it close — is equally useful.
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49.
Dov'è la farmacia?
Where is the pharmacy?
Italian pharmacists — farmacisti — can recommend and dispense many treatments without a prescription.
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50.
È meraviglioso!
It is wonderful! / Marvellous!
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