Everything just sounds better in Italian.

The Italian language is based on Dante’s poetry so it has a melodic feel to it. But it’s a complex one to master with feminine and masculine nouns. Don’t ask me why the table is male. And verbs changing depending on who you are addressing and the tenses.

But that being said…..

Even if you are butchering the phrases the locals are super appreciative that you made the effort to converse with them in their native tongue.

If you are visiting Italy you’ll find English speakers but here are a few common phrases you can learn before you go.

BASIC ITALIAN WORDS

• Hello: Ciao (informal); Salve (formal)
• Goodbye: Ciao (informal); Arrivederci (formal)
• Good morning: Buongiorno
• Good evening: Buonasera
• Goodnight: Buonanotte (use this when you’re going to bed)
• Please: Per favore; per piacere
• Thank you: Grazie
• Thanks so much: Grazie mille
• You’re welcome: Prego; Di niente
• Yes: Sì
• No: No
• Who?: Chi?
• What?: Che?; Cosa?
• Where?: Dove?
• When?: Quando?
• Why?: Perché?
• How much?: Quanto?
• Beautiful: Bello (masculine); Bella (feminine)
• Good: Buono (masculine); Buona (feminine)
• Friend: Amico (masculine); Amica (feminine)
• Family: Famiglia
• Well: Bene
• Bad: Male

BASIC ITALIAN PHRASES

• I love you: Ti amo (romantic); Ti voglio bene (family, friends)
• How are you?: Come sta?
• How’s it going?: Come va?
• I miss you: Mi manchi
• I don’t know: Non lo so
• All’s well: Tutto bene
• I’m sorry: Mi dispiace
• What is your name?: Come si chiama?
• My name is…: Mi chiamo…
• OK: Va bene
• Excuse me: Mi scusi
• Excuse me (passing through a crowd): Permesso

BASIC TRAVEL LINGO

• I would like… (ordering food or buying a ticket): Vorrei…
• Check, please: Il conto, per favore
• Where is…?: Dov’è…?
• Tourist: Turista
• Airport: Aeroporto
• Airplane: Aereo
• Luggage: Bagagli
• Suitcase: Valigia
• Train: Treno
• Ticket: Bigletto
• Rental car: Auto a noleggio
• Bathroom: Bagno
• Restaurant: Ristorante
• Museum: Museo
• Church/Cathedral: Chiesa/Duomo
• Beach: Spiaggia
• Store: Negozio

And if you want to become fluent I cannot recommend this course enough.

ITALIAN BY DAVIDE

I’ve personally tried Duolingo, one-on-one classes, and a school but this was hands down the best way to learn the language.

Brava Bella. I cannot wait to chat with you in Italian.