30 Italian phrases and words to know before you go

Italian phrases for greetings and farewells

1. Hello: Salve or Ciao
The formal Italian word for hello is salve (pronounced: SAL-vey), while ciao (pronounced: chow) is an informal way to say both hi and bye. You’ll have plenty of time to practice saying these on our A Week in Italy: Venice, Florence & Rome tour.

2. Goodbye: Arrivederci or Ciao
A more formal way to say farewell is arrivederci (pronounced: ur-ee-vuh-DARE-chee). At the end of your trip you’ll have to say ciao to Italy, but with all the different Italy tours we have to offer there are plenty of reasons to return.

3. Good morning: Buongiorno
This greeting means good morning or good day. Say buongiorno (pronounced: bwon JOHR-noe) in the morning and afternoon.

4. Good evening: Buonasera
You’ll want to use the Italian phrase buonasera (pronounced: bwon-AH-ser-AH) to wish someone a good evening starting around 4 p.m., but reserve buonanotte (pronounced: bwon-AH-no-tay) for your final goodnight before you head to bed.

5. How are you?: Come stai?
The informal way to ask “how are you?” is to say “Come stai?” (pronounced: koh-meh STAI). Reply with “Bene, grazie,” (ben-ay GRAHTS-yeh) to say you’re doing fine, thanks.

6. My name is: Mi chiamo
Use the phrase mi chiamo (pronounced: mee kee-AH-moe) followed by your name to introduce yourself to new people. This comes in handy on our Sicily for Solo Travlers tour, when you can greet your fellow travelers using the local lingo.

Italian phrases for being polite

7. Thank you: Grazie
Whether you’re being handed a morning espresso or an afternoon gelato, be sure to thank your server with a polite grazie (pronounced: GRAHTS-yeh). To say thank you very much, simply say grazie mille (pronounced: GRAHTS-yeh mee-lay).

8. Please: Per favore
You’ll use this phrase (pronounced: PEHR fah-VOH-reh) often to say please, like if you plan on trying out a local restaurant recommended by your Tour Director during your free time.

9. You’re welcome: Prego
Prego (pronounced: PRAY-goh) is a very versatile word that not only means you’re welcome but can also mean don’t mention it and by all means, after you.

10. Excuse me: Mi scusi
Mi scusi (pronounced: mee SKOO-zee) translates to excuse me or pardon me, and comes in handy on sidewalks in cities like the ones you’ll visit on our Venice, Florence & Rome tour, where your expert Tour Director will seamlessly guide you around.

11. I’m sorry: Mi dispiace
If you do happen to bump into someone on the street, a simple I’m sorry (pronounced: mee diss-pee-ah-chay) goes a long way.

Italian phrases for getting around & seeing the sites

12. Do you speak English?: Parli inglese?
Even though you’re practicing a few Italian words and phrases, you’ll probably still rely on speaking English while exploring Italy on tour. But before you assume someone else speaks English, too, ask, “Parli inglese?” (pronounced: PAHR-lee een-GLEH-zeh?). If the answer is sì (yes), then you can continue. If it’s no, ask your Tour Director for help translating.

13. Where are the bathrooms?: Dove sono i servizi?
One of the most useful Italian phrases is where are the bathrooms? Dove sono i servizi? (pronounced: doh-VHEY so-no ee ser-VEET-zee) is a more formal way to ask, but in a pinch, dov’è il bagno (pronounced: doh-VHEY eel ban-yo) will get your meaning across just as clearly.

14. Where is…?: Dov’è…?
If at any point you need directions to your hotel during free time—or to the nearest gelato shop—you can begin your search by asking Dov’è…? (pronounced: doh-VHEY).

15. Museum: Museo
One of the highlights of traveling to Italy is seeing each amazing museo (pronounced: moo-zay-oh)—the museums in Italy are some of the most famous in the world, after all. Don’t miss seeing Renaissance art in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence on our A Week in Italy: Venice, Florence & Rome tour, the ancient relics inside Rome’s Vatican Museums on our Rome: The City Experience tour, and more.

16. Cathedral: Duomo
No trip to Florence would be complete without seeing the iconic Duomo (pronounced: DWHOA-moe), the world’s third-largest cathedral. Italy is filled with many beautiful cathedrals—it feels as if each town has its own elaborate duomo. See for yourself on our Grand tour of Italy.

17. Ticket: Biglietto
You’ll need a ticket to visit many of Italy’s popular sites, so it’s helpful to know where to buy a biglietto (pronounced: bill-yet-oh). But, good news: When you go guided with us, your Tour Director will handle the ticket-buying and you don’t have to worry—or wait in line!

Italian phrases for dining out

18. Open/closed: Aperto/chiuso
Look for the Italian words aperto and chiuso (pronounced: ah-PEHR-toh and KYOO-soh) on signage for stores and restaurants.

19. The check, please: Il conto, per favore
The Italian words il conto, per favore (pronounced: eel KOHN-toh, PEHR fah-VOH-reh) are important because you’ll need to say them at the end of every meal when dining out—servers don’t want to rush your service or push you out because it’s considered rude to do so in Italian culture. Your meal is meant to be savored, so you’ll need to let your server know when you’re ready to go.

20. I would like: Vorrei
To politely place your food or drink order, you can start by saying vorrei (pronounced: Vohr-RAY).

21. One cappuccino, please: Un cappuccino, per favore
Cappuccino is one of the most widely known Italian words, and it’s what Italians call a delightful cup of espresso with milk foam. If you love Italian coffee as much as we do, start each day by saying un cappuccino, per favore (pronounced: oohn cap-pu-chi-no PEHR fah-VOH-reh). Just remember that Italians traditional drink their cappuccino in the morning at breakfast—if you want a coffee after noon, ordering an espresso is the way to go. Check out more Italy tips to know before you go.

22. Two espressos: Due espressi
If it’s too late in the day for cappuccino (by Italian standards) but you’re craving a little pick-me-up, you can order a shot of espresso. If ordering one for yourself and one for a friend, you can ask for due espressi (pronounced: Doo-ay ess-press-ee).

23. A glass of red wine: Un bicchiere di vino rosso
Toast to a day well spent with a glass of red wine (pronounced: oohn be-care-ee dee vee-no row-so), or maybe try a regional variety like a sangrantino in the Umbrian countryside. If you want to get a taste for the many wines of Italy, our Food & Wine: Flavors of Tuscany & Umbria tour is for you.

24. Do you accept credit cards?: Accettate carte di credito?
Today, most restaurants in Italy will accept credit cards as payment (and server will often bring the card reader directly to your table). However, it’s best to double check by asking “Accettate carte di credito?” (pronounced: ah-che-ta-tay car-tay dee creh-dee-toe). Plus, it’s a good idea to carry some euros just in case you need to use cash on your Italy tour.

25. Enjoy your meal: Buon appetito
This is one of the most well-known Italian phrases. You can say buon appetito (pronounced: bwon app-PEH-tee-toe) to the people you’re sharing a meal with before digging in—like you will on our Food & Wine: Campania, Puglia & the Amalfi Coast tour.

Italian phrases for shopping

26. Quanto costa?: How much does it cost?
In some shops, especially markets, prices aren’t always labeled, so you might have to ask “Quanto costa?” (pronounced: kwan-toe koe-stah). Some vendors will be willing to negotiate, which could be inspiration to practice your numbers in Italian to be ready to bargain.

27. It’s nice: È bello
Even if you’re just window shopping, you’re sure to see many beautiful things—like handmade leather goods in the fashion capital of Milan. Well-made Italian goods are more than worth an è bello (pronounced: ay bell-oh). Use your free time to shop to your heart’s content our Journey through Italy: Milan to the Amalfi Coast tour.

28. Can I try it on?: Posso provarlo?
If you see something you like but need to know how it looks off the mannequin, feel free to ask if you can try it on by saying posso provarlo? (pronounced: poh-so pro-VHAR-lo).

29. Thanks, I’ll think about it: Grazie, ci penso
If you’re not sure about something or just want to consider your options before making a purchase, you can say grazie, ci penso (pronounced: GRAHTS-yeh chee pen-so).

30. I’ll take it: Lo prendo
When you find the perfect souvenir, you can proudly say lo prendo (pronounced: low prehn-doh) and have a wonderful keepsake to bring home to remind you of your time on tour in Italy—or to give to someone and encourage them to visit.

Ready to try out these Italian words and phrases on a trip to Italy? Learn about the culture and culinary delights of Italy—and pick up some additional Italian words—on of our Italy tours.