The Guide · Language
Italian Phrases Worth Knowing
A few words go a long way.
A few words go a long way. Italians appreciate any effort — even a slightly imperfect buongiorno earns a warm smile.
Everyday
The Basics
Buongiorno
bwon-JOR-noh
Good morning / Good day
Buonasera
bwoh-nah-SEH-rah
Good evening
Ciao
chow
Hi / Bye
Per favore
pehr fah-VOH-reh
Please
Grazie
GRAHT-see-eh
Thank you
Prego
PREH-goh
You're welcome
Scusi
SKOO-zee
Excuse me
Mi dispiace
mee dees-PYAH-cheh
I'm sorry
A tavola
At the Restaurant
Un tavolo per due, per favore
oon TAH-voh-loh pehr DOO-eh
A table for two, please
Il menu, per favore
eel meh-NOO
The menu, please
Un bicchiere di vino
oon bee-KYEH-reh dee VEE-noh
A glass of wine
Una bottiglia d'acqua
OO-nah boh-TEE-lyah DAH-kwah
A bottle of water
Il conto, per favore
eel KOHN-toh
The check, please
È buonissimo!
eh bwoh-NEES-see-moh
It's delicious!
Vino
Wine
Vino rosso
VEE-noh ROHS-soh
Red wine
Vino bianco
VEE-noh BYAHN-koh
White wine
Un altro, per favore
oon AHL-troh
Another one, please
Salute!
sah-LOO-teh
Cheers!
In town
Getting Around
Dov'è…?
doh-VEH
Where is…?
Dov'è il bagno?
doh-VEH eel BAH-nyoh
Where is the bathroom?
Quanto costa?
KWAHN-toh KOH-stah
How much does it cost?
Parla inglese?
PAHR-lah een-GLEH-zeh
Do you speak English?
In campo
Tennis
Campo da tennis
KAHM-poh dah TEN-nees
Tennis court
Pallina
pahl-LEE-nah
Tennis ball
Racchetta
rahk-KET-tah
Racquet
Bel colpo!
bel KOHL-poh
Nice shot!
Fuori
FWOH-ree
Out
Dentro
DEN-troh
In
Tocca a te
TOHK-kah ah teh
Your turn / your serve
Volley & Vine
Grazie.
The most important word of all. You can get surprisingly far in Italy with a smile and a well-timed “grazie.”