Basic Italian Phrases For Travel

Phrases in Italian you must learn before going to Italy

If you plan a trip to Italy, learning basic Italian sentences will help you better navigate any situation and round up any well-planned itinerary that includes places, sights, and Italian cultural experiences. While English is spoken almost everywhere, Italians will appreciate you saying common Italian words and expressions we use in everyday conversations.

If you want to deepen your connection to the Italian culture and meet friendly Italians, I have put together this basic Italian phrases guide to get you started. As an Italian, I have grouped phrases and sentences into categories of daily life.

Common Words in Italian

These basic Italian words and short phrases will help you start learning Italian for your trip to Italy. These are the most common words you will need in everyday life in Italy.

Grazie = Thanks (informal).
Grazie 1000 (we use this sentence a lot) literally 1000 Thanks.  It translates to: Thanks a lot. Thank you very much.
Prego = You are welcome. In reply to Grazie!
Per favore… mi puo dire…. = Can you please…. tell me….when asking for something.
We Italians use the word Prego in many different contexts. Here are the most common ones:
Prego* = Translates: go ahead (mi dica) and follow me (mi segua) this way (da questa parte). Here it is (ecco qui).
Mi scusi = Excuse me / Sorry.
Mi spiace = I’m sorry
Sì = Yes – No = No

Greetings in Italian

Italians are famous for CIAO, which is used to say hello and bye. However, we use CIAO informally. I recommend using Buon Giorno and Buona Sera rather than Ciao when travelling in Italy.

Buon Giorno = Good Morning + Good Day
Buona Sera = Good evening. (after 5.00 pm)
Buona Notte = Good Night
Arrivederci = Bye. Good Bye. (We use it formally; informally, you would instead use Ciao).
Ciao (informal greeting) means “hi,” “Hello,” and “Bye.” It is used only among people you know.
Come Va? How are you doing? You can say it to people you don’t know.
Piacere = Nice to meet you.. (literally translates my pleasure)
Benvenuto, Ben Arrivato, Welcome Back = Welcome. Welcome Home. Welcome back.

Short phrases for ordering coffee and food in Italy

Drinking coffee is part of Italian culture. Even if you are not a coffee drinker, you will enter a bar in Italy, our standard go-to place for a caffè al bar, breakfast (colazione), or an aperitivo. Here are a few sentences you will need

Vorrei un caffè* = I’d like a coffe – Al tavolo =  served at the table = al banco = at the counter
Posso ordinare? Can I order?
Vorrei una brioche/ un croissant / un panino = I’d like a brioche, I’d like a croissant, I’d like one panino
Vorrei una pizza = I’d like a pizza
Da portare via = To take away
Basta così, grazie = that’s enough, that’s it, thanks.
Vorrei un aperitivo = I’d like an aperitiv
Quant’è = How much is it?
Pago il caffè = I pay the coffee…
Il resto = here’is the change.
*Different Italian words for coffee: caffè liscio (plain) caffè lungo (long) caffè corto (short) caffè macchiato (with a shot of milk foam) caffè corretto (with grappa) Un cappuccino. Un caffe latte (coffee with milk + foam in a glass).
Across Italy, you will find hundreds of local ways of ordering and naming coffee differently. Trieste and Napoli stand out for their glamorous coffee culture. Check how to order coffee in Trieste.

Italian words and sentences used at the restaurant

You will get a fixed menu in a restaurant, and you can also order à la carte. An additional menu del giorno, which is the daily menu. It’s common to book a place for dinner in busy areas. Make sure you ask for variations if you are intolerant or allergic to something; please tell the waiter, and they will point out what dishes suit your case.

Vorrei un tavolo = I’d like a table for 1/2/3
Un tavolo per me, per 2 – per 3  = I’d like a table for one, for two, for three,
Vorrei un tavolo in giardino, in terrazza = I’d like to seat in the garden, terrace.
Pranzo = lunch – Cena = Dinner
Il menù, Il menu del giorno, la carta dei vini = The menu, the daily menu, the wine menu.
Che cosa mi consiglia? = What do you recommend?
Sono vegeteriana/o. – Non mangio carne, pesce, = I’m vegetarian, I dont’ eat meat, fish,
Sono intollerante al / Sono allergica/o al = I’m intollerant to… / I’m allergic to…
Il conto per favore = The bill, please.
Posso pagare con con carta di credito? = Can I pay with credit card.

Useful phrases for getting directions in Italy

When asking for directions, ensure you have an address or Google Maps open for better understanding. Also, make yourself familiar with these key Italian words for directions:

Dove si trova questo posto? = Where is this place?
Come raggiungo questo posto? How do I get to this place?
Posso andare a piedi? Can I walk?
Quanto distante è? = What’s the distance?
Mi sono perso, mi può aiutare? = I’m lost. Can you please help me?
Destra = Right,
Sinistra = Left,
Dritto = Straight,
Avanti = Ahead,
In fondo alla strada = At the end of the road
Via = Road
Piazza = Square

Words and phrases for getting around with trains, metro, buses

In train, bus, and metro stations, it may sometimes be a bit overwhelming to navigate a large place, purchase tickets, find the right railway track numbers, and validate tickets. These key Italian words will help you:

Dove acquisto il biglietto del treno, del bus, della metro? =  Where do I buy the train/bus/metro ticket?
Dov’è la biglietteria? Where is the ticket counter?
Dove sono le macchine automatiche? = Where are the ticket machines?
Dove convalido il biglietto del treno? = Where can I validate the ticket?
A quale fermata scendo? = Which stop do I get off?
In quale direzione? = In which direction?
Quante fermate? = How many stops?
Quanto costa il biglietto per…? = How much is the ticket for ?
C’è un ritardo? = Is there a delay? C’è un cambio binario? = The train platform has changed.
Stazione treni = Railway station – Stazione bus = Bus station

Basic Italian words for shopping

Vorrei provare questo vestito, pantaloni, scarpe = I’d like to try that dress, trousers, scarpe
Ho bisogno della taglia 40/42/44/46….= I need the size 6/8/10….
Ho bisogno della misura di scarpe 38/40/42 = I need the shoe size 5/6/7….
Voglio questo vestito in un altro colore: rosso/nero/verde/blu/giallo =
I want this dress in another colour: red/black/green/blue/yellow.

Fun Italian Words you must learn

In Italy, we use lots of expressions that are shortcuts of a whole sentence, or just a way of saying in colloquial conversations. Here are the most common fun Italian words you must learn before going to Italy:

Basta = Stop it
Boh = I don’t know, and you will hear it often among friends and people who know each other.
Meno male = Thank God, or That’s good.
Dài = Come on, hurry up.
Figurati = no worries, that’s no problem
Tranquilla / Tranquillo = no worries, nothing to worry about, 
Magari = I wish it would happen, if only it would happen,
Che figata = that’s cool, what a cool thing.
Che palle = what a pain in ….
Ciao Bella / Cia Cara = Hi beautiful, Hi dear, (used among friends and people who know each other) only to women/girls.

What to say to get help in Italian

These short Italian sentences will help you in any emergency where you need help and immediate support in Italy.

Aiuto = Help or Ho bisogno di aiuto!  = I need help.
Ho perso la borsa, il portafogli, il mio passaporto = I lost my bag, my wallet, my passport
Non mi sento bene = I’m not feeling well
Ho bisogno di un medico = I need a doctor
Chiama 112 emergenza = Call 112 (Emergency in Italy)
Chiama la polizia! = Call the police!
Chiama un medico = Call a Doctor

These key Italian phrases and words will help you plan an Italy trip and make it more enjoyable. If you want more help, feel free to reach out. We are locals and travel experts in Italy and offer Italy trip-planning services to solo travellers and groups of friends and family visiting Italy.

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