🇮🇹 Language Guide
Essential Italian Phrases
50+ useful Italian phrases for travelers — with pronunciation guides.
💡 Pro tip: Even a simple "Buongiorno" or "Grazie" goes a long way — Italians appreciate the effort!
👋 Greetings & Politeness
| Italian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Buongiorno | bwohn-JOR-noh | Good morning/day |
| Buonasera | bwoh-nah-SEH-rah | Good evening |
| Ciao | chow | Hello/Goodbye (informal) |
| Arrivederci | ah-ree-veh-DEHR-chee | Goodbye (formal) |
| Per favore | pehr fah-VOH-reh | Please |
| Grazie | GRAHT-see-eh | Thank you |
| Prego | PREH-goh | You're welcome |
| Mi scusi | mee SKOO-zee | Excuse me |
🍝 Dining & Food
| Italian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Un tavolo per due | oon TAH-voh-loh pehr DOO-eh | A table for two |
| Il menu, per favore | eel meh-NOO pehr fah-VOH-reh | The menu, please |
| Cosa mi consiglia? | KOH-zah mee kon-SEEL-yah | What do you recommend? |
| Il conto, per favore | eel KON-toh pehr fah-VOH-reh | The bill, please |
| Acqua naturale/frizzante | AH-kwah nah-too-RAH-leh / freet-TSAHN-teh | Still/sparkling water |
| Sono allergico/a a... | SOH-noh ahl-LEHR-jee-koh/kah ah | I'm allergic to... |
| Delizioso! | deh-lee-TSYOH-zoh | Delicious! |
🗺️ Directions & Travel
| Italian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Dov'è...? | doh-VEH | Where is...? |
| A destra | ah DEH-strah | To the right |
| A sinistra | ah see-NEE-strah | To the left |
| Dritto | DREET-toh | Straight ahead |
| Quanto costa? | KWAHN-toh KOH-stah | How much does it cost? |
| Biglietto | beel-YET-toh | Ticket |
| Stazione | sta-TSYOH-neh | Station |
🆘 Emergencies & Help
| Italian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Aiuto! | ah-YOO-toh | Help! |
| Non parlo italiano | nohn PAR-loh ee-tah-lee-AH-noh | I don't speak Italian |
| Parla inglese? | PAR-lah een-GLEH-zeh | Do you speak English? |
| Mi sono perso/a | mee SOH-noh PEHR-soh/sah | I'm lost |
| Chiamate la polizia | kyah-MAH-teh lah poh-lee-TSEE-ah | Call the police |
🔊 Quick Pronunciation Tips
🇮🇹
"C" before E/I = "ch"
Ciao = "chow"
🇮🇹
"Ch" = hard "k"
Chianti = "kee-AHN-tee"
🇮🇹
"Gli" = "lyee"
Tagliatelle = "tah-lyah-TEHL-leh"