Basic Italian Phrases
These are complete sentences, usable exactly as they are. They use the formal Lei, which is the safe choice with anyone you have just met.
Introducing yourself
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Mi chiamo …
mee KYAH-moh
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My name is …
Literally I call myself
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Come si chiama?
KOH-meh see KYAH-mah
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What is your name?
Come ti chiami? to a friend
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Vengo da …
VEN-goh dah
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I am from …
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Piacere
pyah-CHEH-reh
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Nice to meet you
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Sto imparando l'italiano
stoh eem-pah-RAN-doh lee-tah-LYAH-noh
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I am learning Italian
When you are stuck
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Non capisco
non kah-PEES-koh
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I don't understand
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Parla inglese?
PAR-lah een-GLEH-zeh
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Do you speak English?
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Può ripetere?
pwoh ree-PEH-teh-reh
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Could you repeat that?
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Più lentamente, per favore
pyoo len-tah-MEN-teh pehr fah-VOH-reh
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Slower, please
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Non lo so
non loh soh
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I don't know
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Come si dice … in italiano?
KOH-meh see DEE-cheh een ee-tah-LYAH-noh
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How do you say … in Italian?
Out and about
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Dov'è …?
doh-VEH
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Where is …?
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Dov'è il bagno?
doh-VEH eel BAH-nyoh
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Where is the toilet?
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Quanto costa?
KWAN-toh KOS-tah
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How much is it?
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Vorrei …
vor-RAY
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I would like …
The polite way to order
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Il conto, per favore
eel KON-toh pehr fah-VOH-reh
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The bill, please
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Può aiutarmi?
pwoh ah-yoo-TAR-mee
-
Can you help me?
Switching between Lei and tu
The formal phrases use Lei, which takes the same verb form as she. Parla inglese is literally does she speak English, used politely to your listener.
For a friend, the ending changes to -i: Parli inglese? Puoi ripetere?
A coffee ordered at the bar is one of the few places where Italians are brisk rather than formal. Un caffè, per favore is complete and polite.
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