Taking a trip to visit a country where your native tongue is not the primary spoken language can be intimidating. But there are a number of easy things you can do to make sure you are understood in Italy.
Speaking louder is not one of them; and neither is the commonplace gesticulation cliché. Italians use their hands, sure, but no less than any other expressive, passionate culture.
Knowing a few Italian curse words may help, but when it comes to conversing in a foreign land, Travel Belles often prefer taking the lesser traveled, more subtle and sophisticated route.
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When visiting Italy, it’s best to learn some basic Italian words and phrases will make your timeeven more enjoyable. Here are a few key (tongue in cheek) expressions.
Ciao {chow}
Hi/Bye (informal)
Come ti chiami? {KOHmeh·teeKYAHmee}
What’s your name? (informal)
Mi piace viaggiare da sola. {mee·PYAtche·vyaJAReh·dah·SOWlah}
I like traveling alone.
Perché {pehrKEH}
Why/Because
Un cappuccino doppio, per favore. {OONkapooCHEEnoh dawPYO·pehrFAHvoreh}
A double cappuccino, please.
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Sempre {SEHMpreh}
Always
Mai {my}
Never
Buon appetito! {bwonahpehTEEtoh}
Have a nice meal! (bon appetit)
Forse {FORseh}
Perhaps/Maybe
Non so guidare con le marce. {known·SOH·gweeDAHRey·COHN·leh·MARchey}
I can’t drive a stick shift.
Mi dispiace. {mee·deeSPYAHcheh}
I’m sorry.
Amici {ahMEEchee}
Friends
Mi fa lo sconto? {mee·FAH·loh·SCONEtoh}
Will you give me a discount?
Aperitivo {ahpehreeTEEvoh}
Aperitif/Happy hour
Passami il vino, per favore. {PAHSsahmee eel VEEnohpehrFAHvoreh}
Pass the wine, please.
Ti amo. {tee·AHmow}
I love you.
Mi manchi. {mee·MAHNkey}
I miss you.
Tre carati, a goccia. {treh·cahRAHtee·ah·GOtcha}
Three carat, pear cut.
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Non capisco. {knownkahPEESkoh}
I don’t understand.
Non ti preoccupare. {KNOWN·teeprehOHKkooPAHreh}
Don’t worry.
Quanto costa? {KWANtoh·KOHsta}
How much does it cost?
Paga tutto lui. {PAH gah·TOOtoh·LOUIE}
This gentleman will pay for everything.
Tenga le mani a posto. {TENgah·leh·MAHnee· ah·POSToh}
Keep your hands to yourself.
Ho una pistola. {OH·oona·PEEstohlah}
I have a gun.
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Capisco benissimo l’Italiano. {capISKoh·benEES simoh·LEEtahleeanoh}
I understand Italian very well.
Sei bellissimo! {say·bellEESseemoh}
You’re very handsome!
Silenzio {seaLEHNtzeeoh}
Silence
Baciami. {BAHchahmee}
Kiss me.
Buon viaggio! {bwonVYAjoe}
Happy travels (bon voyage)
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Eleonora!
I am laughing! I am coming to Rome in September and I am looking forward to using the phrase “Baciami, ho una pistola….”
Fantastic! Thank you!
Prego, Leslie!
Ciao
Eleonora
Great list. My favorite is “Baciami.” 😉
What I loved about Italy is that the Italians did not make me feel dumb when I tried to speak their language. They were always encouraging and patient with me. 😉
Luckily, I didn’t have to use the phrase “Ho una pistola.” Umm…I’m curious to know: How do you say, “Is that a gun in your pocket or are you just happy to see me.” LOL! Just joking… No, seriously…. Just joking. 😉
Paz
Paz, Italians really appreciate when foreigners try to speak the language because they are proud of it! A communicative culture like this one will treasure the effort considering it like a personal compliment.
Mae West Italian style:
“Hai una pistola in tasca, o sei felice di vedermi?”
LOL! I love it! I’ll have to remember this one. Thanks! 😉
Paz
Wish I’d had this phrase list when I traveled through Italy. My phrase book missed some of your best self-defense phrases. Perhaps pepper spray could replace a few of them. Hopefully, I can go back someday and tell you which works better. By then, perhaps I’ll be too old to worry about it. My husband and I sometimes dream of retiring there.
Loved your list! With a few exceptions (like eliminating “Mi piace viaggiare da sola” — you don’t want to get into that conversation with a Greek) I’m tempted to hijack/transribe your list for travelers to Greece.
Thank you!
Baciami. Ho una pistola… Now, that would be telling him! 😉 Sorry, couldn’t stop myself.
Sto ridendo ; ) Baciami…Ho una pistola! Perfetto!