Italian phrases and expressions you can learn today

Start learning the most common Italian phrases

Italian is a fascinating and melodic language that is thought to be the most musical language in the world. So, why not learn a few basic Italian phrases and expressions to enhance your general knowledge and become happier in the process?

Let's start with basic Italian phrases!
  • Prego: You're welcome.
  • Mi scusi: Excuse me.
  • Mi dispiace: I am sorry.
  • Ciao!: Hello/Goodbye (informal)
  • Non c'è problema: No problem
  • Buona sera: Good evening
  • Buona notte: Good night
  • Grazie Mille: Thank you very much
  • Parla lentamente: Speak slowly

Italian phrases for going out
  • Vorrei un biglietto di sola andata per Roma: I’d like a one-way ticket to Rome.
  • Quanto costa?: How much is it?
  • Mi potrebbe aiutare?: Could you help me?
  • Cos'è questo?: What’s this?
  • Andiamo!: Let’s go!

    Italian phrases for shopping
  • È troppo costoso..: It is too expensive.
  • Potete offrire uno sconto migliore?: Can you offer a better discount?
  • Stiamo cercando una gioielleria.: I’m looking for a jeweller.

  • Italian phrases for transportation
  • Tu vai a Roma?: Are you going to Rome?
  • Continui dritto!: Continue straight ahead!
  • Ho preso l’autobus per venire qui.: I took the bus to come here.
  • Prendiamo un taxi, no?: Shall we take a taxi?

People learning Italian

Common Italian phrases and expressions

There are plenty of useful Italian phrases and expressions for commuting, shopping, traveling, ordering, and more. However, learning the most common ones as a beginner helps you in your first conversations.

Top 10 Italian phrases and sentences you need to know

We have prepared a list of common Italian expressions that will help you have a basic conversation in Italian in no time. Let's dig in!

  1. 1. Buongiorno. = Good morning.

    If you find yourself in Venice it is always polite to say “Hi” every morning because Italian speakers are really sociable. “Good morning” in Italian is "Buongiorno".
    Now enjoy being greeted by a fluent speaker:

    Buongiorno.

  2. 2. Buon pomeriggio. = Good afternoon.

    But what if it's later in the day and you want to greet someone from Rome? Well, “Good afternoon” in Italian is "Buon pomeriggio".
    Now listen to how an Italian speaker would pronounce it:

    Buon pomeriggio.

  3. 3. Mi chiamo Mondly. = My name is Mondly.

    Let's say your name is Mondly, you are traveling to Rome and meet someone on the street. To introduce yourself you can say "Mi chiamo Mondly" which means "My name is Mondly" in Italian.
    Listen to how a person from Milan would pronounce this phrase:

    Mi chiamo Mondly.

  4. 4. Piacere di conoscerti. = I'm pleased to meet you.

    Now that you have introduced yourself, an Italian speaker would respond "Piacere" which means "I'm pleased to meet you" in Italian.
    Listen to a fluent Italian speaker saying that exact sentence to you right now:

    Piacere di conoscerti.

  5. 5. Come stai? = How are you?

    At this point, it might be polite to ask the person you are having a conversation with "How are you?" in Italian.
    It’s really easy to pronounce. Here's how to say it:

    Come stai?

  6. 6. Bene, grazie. E lei? = Fine, thanks. And you?

    If, on the other hand, an Italian speaker asks you first how are you doing, this is how you can answer politely. Apply the unspoken rule of politeness everywhere you go and many doors shall joyously open in your path.
    Here's a fluent speaker showing you how to say it:

    Bene, grazie. E lei?

  7. 7. Vorrei una birra. = I’d like a beer.

    And because you might find yourself in a bar when visiting Italy you might have to learn how to order a beer in Italian.
    Let a fluent Italian speaker show you how it's done:

    Vorrei una birra.

  8. 8. Mi dispiace. = I'm sorry.

    There are times when what you ordered is out of stock, so a bartender might say "Mi dispiace" which means "I'm sorry" in Italian.
    Listen to how it's pronounced:

    Mi dispiace.

  9. 9. A presto! = See you soon!

    This is a good way of saying "See you soon" in Italian to a co-worker from Rome that you are probably going to see the next day.
    Delight your senses with an Italian speaker saying the phrase:

    A presto!

  10. 10. Arrivederci. = Goodbye.

    Let's end with the best way to end a pleasant conversation politely. This is another way of saying "Goodbye" in Italian.
    Here's how a person from Italy would pronounce it:

    Arrivederci.

Basic Italian question phrases

Italian landmark

Are you planning a trip to Italy? Knowing some basic Italian phrases can go a long way in helping you communicate with the locals and making your experience smoother.

Dov'è il duty-free?: Where is the duty-free shop?
Come faccio ad arrivare a ...?: How do you get to ...?
Ha una cartina della città?: Do you have a city map?
A che ora parte?: What time are you leaving?
Che ne dice delle 11:30?: How about 11:30?
Quant'è lontano il ...?: How far to ...?
Quando parte l'ultimo autobus?: When does the last bus leave?
Come vuole pagare?.: How would you like to pay?
C'è qualche luogo interessante che possiamo visitare?: Are there any interesting sights that we can visit?
Quanto costa?: How much does it cost?

Italian landmark

The benefits of learning the most common Italian phrases first

Immerse yourself in Italian from day 1

Immersion is one of the most effective ways of learning a new language and not having the means to travel to a Italian-speaking country shouldn’t keep you from experiencing it. Using Mondly, you’ll immerse yourself in Italian from day 1 with real Italian conversations.

Have real conversations in Italian today

Once you learn a few basic sentences in Italian, you will have the knowledge to start your first Italian conversation. That’s why, at Mondly, we’ve created experiences that simulate real-life conversations to get you speaking Italian in no time.

Become fluent in Italian quicker

Starting with the basics, we quickly lay a foundation for you to learn more complex Italian phrases and sentences. We gradually build your Italian knowledge so you get fluent faster than you could imagine.

Feel how easy to learn the Italian language can be

Every language experience should start gradually, from the easiest to the more complex concepts. Starting with the easiest and most common Italian phrases, you will feel confident in your ability to learn a new language. That’s one of the core principles Mondly is built on.

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