By Geralde Vincent-Bancroft

Italy is a beautiful country with a rich history and culture. If you’re planning a trip to Italy, there are a few essential Italian phrases for travelers that you should learn to make your trip more enjoyable.

Here are some of the most common Italian phrases for travelers that you’ll need:

Greetings:

• Hello: Ciao (pronounced “chow”)

• Good morning: Buongiorno (pronounced “bwon-jor-no”)

• Good evening: Buonasera (pronounced “bwon-ah-seh-rah”)

• Goodbye: Arrivederci (pronounced “ah-ree-veh-der-chee”)

Politeness:

• Please: Per favore (pronounced “pehr fah-voh-reh”)

• Thank you: Grazie (pronounced “grah-tsee-eh”)

• You’re welcome: Prego (pronounced “preh-goh”)

Directions:

• Where is the bathroom?: Dov’è il bagno? (pronounced “doh-veh eel bahn-yoh”)

• How much does it cost?: Quanto costa? (pronounced “kwan-toh koh-sta”)

• Can you help me?: Mi può aiutare? (pronounced “mee pwo ah-yool-tah-reh”)

• How do I get to…?: Come si arriva a …? ( pronounced “ Ko-meh si a-rri-vah a”)
• How far is…?: Quanto dista…? (pronounced “kwan-toh dis-ta)

• Excuse me, how far is the nearest metro station? Quanto dista la metro più vicina? (pronounced “ kwan-toh dis-ta la meh-tro pew vi-chee-na)

Food:

• I’d like to order: Vorrei ordinare (pronounced “vor-ray oh-rdoh-nah-reh”)

• What do you recommend?: Che cosa mi consiglia? (pronounced “kay koh-za mee kohn-seel-ya”)

• This is delicious!: Questo è delizioso! (pronounced “kweh-sto eh deh-lee-zee-oh-so”)

Understanding

*  Excuse me, I don’t understand: Scusi, non capisco ( pronounced “scoo-zy, non ka-pis-ko”)

* Can you repeat, please? = Può ripetere per favore? (pronounced “ poo-o ree-pe-te-re) 

        Transport

• What time does the train arrive/leave?= A che ora arriva/parte il treno? (pronounced “A ke o-rah a-rri-vah/ par- teh il treh-noh)

• A ticket to= Un biglietto per… (pronounced “ oo-n bih-yeh-toh peh-r)

• Can I park here?= Si può parcheggiare qui? ( pronounced si poo-oh par-ke-gia-reh kui)

• Is this the right stop for?= E questa la fermata per?… (pronounced “Eh kueh-sta la fer-mah-tah peh-r)

Shopping

• How much is it?= Quanto costa? (pronounced “ kwan-toh kos-tah)

• Can I try this on? = Posso provarlo? ( pronounced “poh-ssoh proh-vah-r-loh)

• Can you ship this?/Can you ship these?=Si puo spedire? Si possono spedire? ( pronounced “ sih poo-oh speh-dih-reh/ si poh-ssoh-noh speh-dih-reh)

• Can I pay with a credit card? = Posso pagare con carta di credito? (pronounced “ poh-ssoh pah-gah-reh con kar-tah dih creh-dih-toh)

Accommodation

• Can we leave our bags here?= Possiamo lasciare i bagagli qui? ( Pronounced “poh-ssiah-moh lah-shah-reh i bah-gah-yih kuh-ih)

• At what time is breakfast? = A che ora e la collazione? ( pronounced Ah keh oh-rah eh la koh-lah-tsioh-neh).

• The hot water doesn’t work = Non funziona l’acqua calda ( pronounced “ non foon-tsioh-nah lah-kuah kal-dah).

At the bar/ restaurant

• I would like a coffee/a pizza = Vorrei un caffè/una pizza ( pronounced voh-reh-ih un kah-feh/ unah pit-sah).

• I am allergic to…/I’m vegetarian = Sono allergico/a  Sono vegetariano/a ( pronounced “ soh-noh ah-lerh-gih-koh/kah  soh-noh veh-geh-tah-riah-noh/nah).

• How much is it? = Quant’è? ( pronounced “kwan-teh).

• The bill/check please = Il conto per favore (pronounced “ il kon-toh per fah-voh-reh).

Emergencies

• Help = Aiuto ( pronounced “ ah-yuh-toh).

• They stole my wallet/passport= mi hanno rubato il portafoglio/il passaporto ( pronounced “ mih annoh ruh-bah-toh il por-tah-foh-yoh / il pah-ssah-por-toh).

• I lost my wallet = Ho perso il portafoglio ( pronounced “oh per-soh il por-tah-foh-yoh”).

These are just a few of the most common Italian phrases for travelers that you’ll need on your trip. There are many other phrases that you could learn, but these will give you a good foundation to start with.

Here are some tips for using these phrases:

• Pronunciation is important, so be sure to practice saying the phrases aloud before you go.

• Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Italians  are generally very patient with tourists who are trying to speak their language.

• Be sure to use the appropriate level of formality. For example, you wouldn’t say “Ciao” to a professor or a business associate.

Highlights and Tips for Rome

Rome is a beautiful city with a lot to offer visitors. Here are a few highlights and tips:

• The Colosseum: This iconic amphitheater is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Italy.

• The Roman Forum: These ancient ruins are a must-see for anyone interested in Roman history.

• The Trevi Fountain: This famous fountain is a popular spot for making wishes.

• The Spanish Steps: These iconic steps are a great place to people-watch.

• The Vatican City: This tiny city-state  is home to St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel.

 some More tips 

• Book your flights and accommodation in advance, especially if you’re traveling during peak season.

• Wear comfortable shoes, as you’ll be doing a lot of walking.

• Bring sunscreen and a hat, as the weather can be hot in the summer.

• Be sure to bargain when shopping in the markets.

• Enjoy the local cuisine! Italian food is some of the best in the world.

I hope you can start practicing these phrases I shared with you soon.

 Buon viaggio!