“Come si dice?” Useful Words and Phrases to Know in Italy

When traveling to a foreign country where you don’t speak the language, it can be quite a daunting experience to do basic, everyday tasks. From simple directions, to shopping, to getting around, there is much to learn in a new language. In this article, we aim to provide a baseline of some of the most important words and phrases to know in Italy. They are broken up into categories, including everyday phrases, eating out, and traveling. Study this list and keep it handy on your next trip to Italy. “Ci vediamo presto!”

General
Here we have some of the most basic and useful words and phrases for Italian daily life. These include greetings, polite words as you interact with others on the streets, and useful question words like “how, what, when, where, and why?” While not exhaustive, this extensive list provides the most useful words to know.

1. Questo/Quello
   This/that

These two words will get you particularly far in daily life and can be used for any number of things, including ordering at a restaurant or bar, or choosing items in a shop. They are particularly useful when you don’t know the Italian word for the object you are pointing to. Just like their English equivalents, use “questo” (this) when indicating something closer to you, and “quello” (that) when indicating something farther away.

2. Prego
   You’re welcome

“Prego” is not only a polite response to “grazie,” the equivalent of “you’re welcome,” but it can also be used to give permission. For example, if you and another person happen to try to pass through a shop door at the same time, you could take a step back, gesture forward to the other person, and say, “prego.” In this case, it has the same sentiment as, “go on ahead.” You might also hear waiters say this when they come to take your order at a restaurant, signaling that they’re ready to hear what you want.

3. Come si chiama…?/Come si dice?
   What do you call…?/How do you say?

These are useful phrases to learn more Italian words. “Come si chiama” is used to ask the name of a person (or even a pet). If you know the person very well, you could use the informal form, “Come ti chiami?” Otherwise—and when in doubt—it is best to use the more polite “come si chiama?”

In contrast, “come si dice” is used to ask how to say something in Italian. If you don’t know the word for an object, you could indicate it and ask, “come si dice?” It could also be used for phrases, for example: “In English, we say ‘the train is late.’ Come si dice in italiano?”

4. Permesso

This word is particularly interesting in that its direct equivalent in English isn’t what you think. “Permesso” literally means “permission,” (or “permit,” in the case of “permesso di soggiorno,” the “permit to stay” in Italy), but when you push your way through a crowd of people, you don’t say “permission” in English. In Italy, though, this is precisely what you say. In instances when you need to politely move around someone, you say “permesso.”

5. Buongiorno/Buona sera
   Good morning/Good afternoon (evening)

These are your most basic greetings. Note, however, that people typically start to say “buona sera” in the afternoon, as early as 1 p.m. For alternatives that are even friendlier, you can say “buonagiornata” and “buona serata.”

6. Non c’è problema
   It’s not a problem

This one doesn’t need much explanation, as it is used the same way as in English. If someone asks you to do something, you could respond, “Ah, sì, non c’è problema.”

7. Cosa/Come/Quando/Dove/Perchè
   What/How/When/Where/Why

These are all important question words to ask any number of things in Italy. “Quando parte il treno?” (“When does the train depart?”)

8. Scusi/Scusa
   Excuse me

This is the word you might be inclined to use in the situation outlined in point four. However, “scusi” or “scusa” would be more appropriate if you actually bump into someone while going through a crowd. A polite look and “scusi” is sufficient. “Scusa” is the informal version and can be used with people you know quite well.

9. Non capisco
   I don’t understand

“Non capisco” might be one of the more useful phrases to know when embarking on your Italian language journey, although usually the blank look of confusion is all an Italian needs to know to switch over to English.

10. Mi chiamo…
    My name is…

This phrase is the response to “come si chiama?” in point three. If you are answering for someone else, a child perhaps, you would say, “si chiama…”

11. Piacere

Similar to “permesso” above, “piacere” does not have a great one-to-one translation in English. It quite literally translates to “pleasure” or “like,” and a conjugated form is used to say “I like it.” (“Mi piace.”) Its base form here is used upon meeting someone for the first time. After exchanging names and shaking hands, you each can say “piacere.”

12. Non parlo italiano
    I don’t speak Italian

“Non parlo italiano” is another phrase that will get you far when first starting out.

Restaurant
Below are a few important words and phrases to know when dining out.

1. Vorrei…
   I would like…

“Vorrei” can be used to order food and drinks.

2. Il conto, per favore
   The check, please.

Remember that in Italy, the waiters do not usually bring the check to your table automatically. You will need to ask for it.

3. Posso pagare con la carta?
   Can I pay by card?

You might also be hear the word “bancomat” in this context, which is a debit, instead of a credit, card.

4. Bagno
   Bathroom

“Dov’è il bagno?” “Where is the bathroom?”

Travel
In this section are some words or phrases that can be handy when traveling around.

1. Dov’è…?
   Where is…?

“Dov’è la porta d’imbarco?” “Where is the boarding gate?”

“Dov’è la dogana?” “Where is customs?”

2. Bagagli/Valigia
   Luggage/Suitcase

“Dov’è il ritiro bagagli?” “Where is baggage claim?

“Ha un bagaglio da imbarcare?” “Do you want to check a bag?”

“Ho solo il bagaglio a mano.” “I only have a carry-on.”

3. Treno
   Train

“Quando arriva il treno?” “When does the train arrive?”

4. Biglietti/Biglietteria
   Tickets/Ticket office

A single ticket is a “biglietto.” Multiple tickets are “biglietti.”

“Cosa c’è scritto sul mio biglietto?” “What does my ticket say?”

“Dov’è la biglietteria?” “Where is the ticket office?”

5. Auto a noleggio
   Rental car

“Ho preso un auto a noleggio.” “I got a rental car.”

6. Andata/Ritorno/Solo andata
   Outward/Return/One-way

“Vorrei un biglietto da Firenze a Roma, con andata a ritorno.” “I would like a ticket from Florence to Rome, both ways.”

7. Binario
   Platform

“Dov’è il binario per il treno 1111?” “Where is the platform for train 1111?”

8. Tabacchi

Tabacchi are little shops you find all over Italy. While their name implies they sell cigarettes, they actually have much more and are quite useful for daily life. Along with being able to top off your phone credit (if you’re using an Italian number) at most of them, you can also purchase local bus tickets at many of them too. You will see them conveniently marked with a little black sign outside that has a white T on it. To ask for a bus ticket, you say, “Posso avere un biglietto dell’autobus?”

Shopping
Finally, you might want to do some shopping in Italy. Here are a few useful phrases to know.

1. Negozio
   Store

“Il negozio è in fondo alla strada.” “The store is at the end of the street.”

2. Quanto costa…?
   How much is…?

“Quanto costa la gonna?” “How much is the skirt?”

3. È troppo costoso
   It’s too expensive

“È troppo costoso. C’è qualcos’altro?” “It’s too expensive. Is there something else?”

4. Lo prendo
   I’ll take it

“Mi piace tanto. Lo prendo.” “I like it a lot. I’ll take it.”

5. Non lo voglio
   I don’t want it

“No, grazie, non lo voglio.” “No, thanks, I don’t want it.”

This article has been quite an extensive, though by no means exhaustive, list of commonly used Italian words and phrases to use in your daily life. The most important tip is to keep trying and not get embarrassed or discouraged if you make a mistake. With these, you already have a solid foundation for your linguistic journey. “In bocca al lupo!”