Italian is a Romance language spoken by around 60 million people in Italy. It is phonetic and consistent - words are pronounced exactly as they are written, making it one of the more approachable European languages. While English is spoken in tourist hotspots, stepping off the main circuit into the Amalfi Coast villages, Sicilian hill towns, or Umbrian countryside will require at least some Italian. The effort is always rewarded - Italians respond warmly to travellers who try.
Greetings and Basics
| English | Italian | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello (informal) | Ciao | CHOW |
| Hello (formal) | Buongiorno | bwon-JOR-noh |
| Good evening | Buonasera | bwon-ah-SEH-rah |
| Goodbye | Arrivederci | ah-ree-veh-DAIR-chee |
| Yes / No | Sì / No | SEE / NOH |
| Please | Per favore | pair fah-VOH-reh |
| Thank you | Grazie | GRAH-tsee-eh |
| You’re welcome | Prego | PREH-goh |
| Excuse me | Scusi | SKOO-zee |
| I don’t understand | Non capisco | non kah-PEE-skoh |
| Do you speak English? | Parla inglese? | PAR-lah in-GLEH-zeh |
Getting Around
| English | Italian | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Where is…? | Dov’è…? | doh-VEH |
| How much does it cost? | Quanto costa? | KWAN-toh KOS-tah |
| Left / Right | Sinistra / Destra | see-NEE-strah / DEH-strah |
| Straight ahead | Dritto | DREE-toh |
| Stop here | Si fermi qui | see FAIR-mee KWEE |
| Train station | Stazione | stah-tsee-OH-neh |
| Airport | Aeroporto | ah-eh-roh-POR-toh |
| Bus | Autobus | OW-toh-boos |
| A ticket, please | Un biglietto, per favore | oon beel-YEH-toh, pair fah-VOH-reh |
| Where is the toilet? | Dov’è il bagno? | doh-VEH eel BAHN-yoh |
Food and Dining
| English | Italian | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| I would like… | Vorrei… | vor-RAY |
| Water (still / sparkling) | Acqua (naturale / frizzante) | AH-kwah (nah-too-RAH-leh / free-ZAHN-teh) |
| Wine (red / white) | Vino (rosso / bianco) | VEE-noh (ROH-soh / bee-AHN-koh) |
| Coffee | Un caffè | oon kah-FEH |
| The bill, please | Il conto, per favore | eel KON-toh, pair fah-VOH-reh |
| Delicious | Buonissimo | bwon-EE-see-moh |
| Bread | Pane | PAH-neh |
| Pizza | Pizza | PEET-sah |
| A table for two | Un tavolo per due | oon TAH-voh-loh pair DOO-eh |
| I am vegetarian | Sono vegetariano/a | SOH-noh veh-jeh-tah-ree-AH-noh/nah |
Numbers
| Number | Italian | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Uno | OO-noh |
| 2 | Due | DOO-eh |
| 3 | Tre | TREH |
| 4 | Quattro | KWAH-troh |
| 5 | Cinque | CHEEN-kweh |
| 6 | Sei | SAY |
| 7 | Sette | SET-teh |
| 8 | Otto | OH-toh |
| 9 | Nove | NOH-veh |
| 10 | Dieci | dee-EH-chee |
Plan your trip:
- Browse guided tours across Italy with English-speaking guides
- Get travel insurance for Italy
- Pick up an Italian eSIM so you have data from the moment you land
- Search flights to Italy
Emergency Phrases
| English | Italian | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Help! | Aiuto! | ah-YOO-toh |
| I need a doctor | Ho bisogno di un medico | oh bee-ZOHN-yoh dee oon MEH-dee-koh |
| Police | Polizia | poh-lee-TSEE-ah |
| Hospital | Ospedale | oh-speh-DAH-leh |
| I am lost | Mi sono perso/a | mee SOH-noh PAIR-soh/sah |
| Call an ambulance | Chiami un’ambulanza | kee-AH-mee oon ahm-boo-LAHN-tsah |
Italian pronunciation is refreshingly consistent. Every letter is pronounced, double consonants are held slightly longer (so sette has a longer “t” than sete would), and stress usually falls on the second-to-last syllable unless an accent mark says otherwise. The letter “c” before “e” or “i” becomes “ch” (as in ciao and cinque), while “ch” before “e” or “i” is a hard “k” sound. The letter “g” follows the same pattern - soft before “e/i” (gelato = jeh-LAH-toh), hard otherwise. Hand gestures are optional but culturally appreciated.
For practical Italy preparation: Italy packing list covers what to bring for churches, weather, and Venice. For safety context and what to watch out for in each city: Italy safety guide. For the coffee and food ordering culture to pair with your phrases: Italian coffee guide explains what to order and how the bar system works. For solo travellers who’ll be navigating more independently: solo travel in Italy guide covers meeting people, aperitivo culture, and practical navigation tips.
Ready to Plan Your Trip?
See our itineraries for inspiration:
- One Week in Italy - seven days through Rome, Florence, and Venice
- 10 Days in Italy - the classic grand tour of Italy’s highlights
- 2 Weeks in Italy - the ultimate two-week Italian itinerary
- 3 Weeks in Italy - the north-to-south grand tour from Milan to Sicily
Plan Your Trip
✈️ Book your flights to Italy 🛡️ Get travel insurance 📱 Stay connected with an eSIM 🚗 Rent a car