Welcome
Italian is a phonetic language , meaning most words are pronounced exactly as they are written — making it one of the easiest languages for English speakers to begin learning.
Basic Italian Pronunciation Guide
Italian vowels are consistent:
A = ah (father)
E = eh (bet)
I = ee (see)
O = oh (go)
U = oo (food)
Examples
Roma = ROH-mah
Italia = ee-TAH-lee-ah
Study Guide
Flashcards
Quiz
Audio Guide
Essential Greetings
English Italian
Hello Ciao
Good morning Buongiorno
Good afternoon Buon pomeriggio
Good evening Buonasera
Good night Buonanotte
How are you? (informal) Come stai?
How are you? (formal) Come sta?
I'm well Sto bene
Nice to meet you Piacere
Welcome Benvenuto / Benvenuta
Goodbye Arrivederci
Polite Expressions
English Italian
Please Per favore
Thank you Grazie
You're welcome Prego
Excuse me Scusi
Sorry Mi dispiace
Yes Sรฌ
No No
Of course Certo
Maybe Forse
Introducing Yourself
English Italian
My name is... Mi chiamo...
I am from... Sono di...
I live in... Vivo a...
I am Italian Sono italiano / italiana
I am American Sono americano / americana
Do you speak English? Parla inglese?
I speak a little Italian Parlo un po' di italiano
I don't understand Non capisco
Numbers
English Italian
1 Uno
2 Due
3 Tre
4 Quattro
5 Cinque
6 Sei
7 Sette
8 Otto
9 Nove
10 Dieci
20 Venti
30 Trenta
40 Quaranta
50 Cinquanta
100 Cento
Italian Travel Phrases
At the Airport
English Italian
Where is the airport? Dov'รจ l'aeroporto?
Passport Passaporto
Ticket Biglietto
Departure Partenza
Arrival Arrivo
Gate Imbarco
Baggage Bagaglio
Carry-on Bagaglio a mano
At the Hotel
English Italian
I have a reservation Ho una prenotazione
One night Una notte
Two nights Due notti
Room Camera
Key Chiave
Breakfast included? Colazione inclusa?
Check-in Check-in
Check-out Check-out
Example: Ho una prenotazione a nome Forte (I have a reservation under Forte)
Getting Around
English Italian
Taxi Taxi
Bus Autobus
Train Treno
Subway Metropolitana
Ticket Biglietto
Stop Fermata
How much? Quanto costa?
Where does this go? Dove va questo?
Shopping
English Italian
How much does this cost? Quanto costa?
Too expensive Troppo caro
Discount Sconto
I'll take it Lo prendo
Do you accept credit cards? Accettate carte?
Open Aperto
Closed Chiuso
Food & Restaurant Phrases
English Italian
Table for two please Un tavolo per due
The menu please Il menu per favore
Water Acqua
Wine Vino
Red wine Vino rosso
White wine Vino bianco
Bread Pane
Pasta Pasta
Pizza Pizza
Delicious Delizioso
The check please Il conto per favore
Coffee & Cafe Vocabulary
English Italian
Coffee Caffรจ
Espresso Espresso
Cappuccino Cappuccino
Latte Latte
Macchiato Macchiato
Sugar Zucchero
Milk Latte
To go Da portare via
Order example: Un cappuccino per favore (A cappuccino please)
Travel & Directions
English Italian
Where is...? Dov'รจ...?
Bathroom Bagno
Train station Stazione
Airport Aeroporto
Hotel Hotel
Street Via
Right Destra
Left Sinistra
Straight Dritto
Near Vicino
Far Lontano
Example: Dov'รจ il bagno? Where is the bathroom?
Italian Food Dictionary
Pasta Types
English Italian
Spaghetti Spaghetti
Penne Penne
Rigatoni Rigatoni
Fettuccine Fettuccine
Linguine Linguine
Ravioli Ravioli
Lasagna Lasagna
Gnocchi Gnocchi
Sauces
English Italian
Tomato sauce Salsa di pomodoro
Meat sauce Ragรน
Pesto Pesto
Cream sauce Salsa panna
Garlic & oil Aglio e olio
Marinara Marinara
Meats & Proteins
English Italian
Chicken Pollo
Beef Manzo
Pork Maiale
Sausage Salsiccia
Prosciutto Prosciutto
Salami Salame
Meatballs Polpette
Cheeses
English Italian
Mozzarella Mozzarella
Parmesan Parmigiano
Ricotta Ricotta
Provolone Provolone
Pecorino Pecorino
Gorgonzola Gorgonzola
Italian Menu Words
English Italian
Appetizer Antipasto
First course Primo
Second course Secondo
Side dish Contorno
Dessert Dolce
Wine Vino
House wine Vino della casa
Italian Phrases for California Restaurants
English Italian
Hello Buongiorno
Table for two Tavolo per due
Menu please Il menu per favore
Water Acqua
Sparkling water Acqua frizzante
Still water Acqua naturale
I'll have... Prendo...
I'll have the pasta Prendo la pasta
I'll have pizza Prendo la pizza
What do you recommend? Cosa consiglia?
Is this homemade? ร fatto in casa?
Is this fresh? ร fresco?
Red wine Vino rosso
White wine Vino bianco
House wine Vino della casa
Cheers Salute
The check please Il conto per favore
Split the check Dividere il conto
Credit card Carta
Cash Contanti
Italian Heritage Vocabulary
English Italian
Italian American Italo-americano
Little Italy Little Italy / Quartiere italiano
Festival Festa
Church Chiesa
Family Famiglia
Tradition Tradizione
Immigrant Immigrato
Heritage Ereditร
Culture Cultura
Community Comunitร
Days of the Week
English Italian
Monday Lunedรฌ
Tuesday Martedรฌ
Wednesday Mercoledรฌ
Thursday Giovedรฌ
Friday Venerdรฌ
Saturday Sabato
Sunday Domenica
Common Italian Expressions
English Italian
Hi! Ciao!
How beautiful! Che bello!
Let's go! Andiamo!
Perfect! Perfetto!
Okay / Sounds good Va bene
Everything good? Tutto bene?
See you later A dopo
See you soon Ci vediamo
Quick Conversation Example
English Italian
Hello! How are you? Ciao! Come stai?
I am good. And you? Sto bene. E tu?
My name is Chris. Mi chiamo Chris.
Nice to meet you. Piacere.
Italian American Slang Guide
These are commonly used in Italian American communities, especially in New York, New Jersey, and California.
Slang Meaning
Gabagool Capicola
Mutz Mozzarella
Gravy Tomato sauce
Sunday gravy Sunday sauce
Macaroni Pasta
Prosciutt Prosciutto
Ricott Ricotta
Manigot Manicotti
Goomah Girlfriend (slang)
Paisan Friend / countryman
Stugots Idiot / nonsense
Commendatori Respectful greeting
Examples:
Hey paisan! How you doin'?
Pass the mutz (Pass the mozzarella)
We're having Sunday gravy (We're having Sunday sauce)
Italian Alphabet Chart
The Italian alphabet has 21 letters. J, K, W, X, and Y are used mainly in foreign words.
Letter Italian Pronunciation
A A ah
B Bi bee
C Ci chee
D Di dee
E E eh
F Effe eff-eh
G Gi jee
H Acca ahk-ah
I I ee
L Elle ell-eh
M Emme em-meh
N Enne en-neh
O O oh
P Pi pee
Q Qu koo
R Erre rolled r
S Esse ess-eh
T Ti tee
U U oo
V Vu voo
Z Zeta dzay-ta
Italian Grammar Basics
Masculine vs Feminine
Italian nouns have gender .
Masculine
il ragazzo (the boy) il vino (the wine)
Feminine
la ragazza (the girl) la pizza (the pizza)
Plurals
Rule Example
Masculine: o → i il ragazzo → i ragazzi
Feminine: a → e la pizza → le pizze
The (Articles)
English Italian
The (masc.) il
The (fem.) la
The (plural masc.) i
The (plural fem.) le
Examples: il ristorante, la chiesa, i ristoranti, le chiese
A / An
English Italian
a / an (masc.) un
a / an (fem.) una
Example: un ristorante, una pizza
Italian Verbs Cheat Sheet
To Be — Essere
English Italian
I am Sono
You are Sei
He is ร
We are Siamo
They are Sono
Example: Sono italiano — I am Italian
To Have — Avere
English Italian
I have Ho
You have Hai
He has Ha
We have Abbiamo
They have Hanno
Example: Ho fame — I am hungry
To Go — Andare
English Italian
I go Vado
You go Vai
He goes Va
We go Andiamo
They go Vanno
Example: Andiamo! — Let's go!
To Want — Volere
English Italian
I want Voglio
You want Vuoi
He wants Vuole
We want Vogliamo
Example: Voglio pizza — I want pizza
To Speak — Parlare
English Italian
I speak Parlo
You speak Parli
He speaks Parla
We speak Parliamo
Example: Parlo italiano — I speak Italian
Italian Catholic Vocabulary (Churches)
English Italian
Church Chiesa
Mass Messa
Priest Sacerdote
Father Padre
Saint Santo
Madonna Madonna
Rosary Rosario
Prayer Preghiera
Faith Fede
Blessing Benedizione
Inside the Church
English Italian
Altar Altare
Candles Candele
Holy water Acqua benedetta
Confession Confessione
Communion Comunione
Crucifix Crocifisso
Catholic Phrases
English Italian
Peace be with you La pace sia con voi
Amen Amen
In the name of the Father Nel nome del Padre
Holy Mary Santa Maria
Our Father Padre nostro
Italian Feast Day Vocabulary
English Italian
Festival Festa
Procession Processione
Saint Santo
Statue Statua
Parish Parrocchia
Celebration Celebrazione
Examples: Festa di San Gennaro — Feast of Saint Gennaro Processione della Madonna — Procession of the Madonna
Kids Beginner Italian Version
Basic Words
English Italian
Hello Ciao
Bye Ciao
Yes Sรฌ
No No
Please Per favore
Thank you Grazie
Colors
English Italian
Red Rosso
Green Verde
White Bianco
Blue Blu
Yellow Giallo
Numbers for Kids
English Italian
1 Uno
2 Due
3 Tre
4 Quattro
5 Cinque
Animals
English Italian
Dog Cane
Cat Gatto
Bird Uccello
Fish Pesce
Fun Kid Phrases
English Italian
Hello friend Ciao amico
Good job Bravo
Let's go Andiamo
Yummy Buono
I'm hungry Ho fame
Kids Practice
English Italian
Hello! Ciao!
My name is Luca Mi chiamo Luca
I'm hungry Ho fame
I want pizza Voglio pizza
Italian Learning Tips for Kids
Use flashcards
Watch Italian cartoons
Label things in your house
Practice counting
Learn food words first
Tips for Learning Italian
Start with greetings
Practice pronunciation out loud
Learn food words first
Watch Italian movies
Listen to Italian music
Visit Italian neighborhoods
Speak whenever possible
Italian for California Travelers
Little Italy San Diego
North Beach San Francisco
Little Italy San Pedro
Little Italy San Jose
Italian delis & markets
Italian wineries
Even simple phrases like Grazie and Buongiorno go a long way.
Bookmark Vocabulary
English Italian
Hello Ciao
Thank you Grazie
Please Per favore
Yes Sรฌ
No No
Excuse me Scusi
Good morning Buongiorno
Good evening Buonasera
Goodbye Arrivederci
Cheers Salute
Learn Italian Through Culture
Food
Family
Festivals
Churches
Neighborhoods
Travel
Music
History
Language and culture go hand in hand — and Italian is one of the most beautiful expressions of both.
Flashcards
Click the flashcard to flip it. Use the buttons to move through the deck.
Hello
Italian: Ciao
Previous
Flip
Next
Interactive Quiz
1. What does Buongiorno mean?
Goodbye
Good morning
Thank you
2. What does Grazie mean?
Thank you
Sorry
Hello
3. What does Dov'รจ il bagno? mean?
Where is the train?
Where is the hotel?
Where is the bathroom?
4. Translate to Italian: Hello
Ciao
Grazie
Per favore
5. Translate to Italian: Thank you
Prego
Grazie
Scusi
6. Translate to Italian: Please
Arrivederci
Per favore
Forse
7. What is mozzarella?
A cheese
A pasta
A sauce
Your Score
0 / 7
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Pronunciation Audio Guide
Click a button to hear the Italian phrase. This uses your browser’s built-in speech feature.
Hello
Ciao
๐ Hear Italian
Good morning
Buongiorno
๐ Hear Italian
Thank you
Grazie
๐ Hear Italian
Please
Per favore
๐ Hear Italian
Where is the airport?
Dov'รจ l'aeroporto?
๐ Hear Italian
I have a reservation
Ho una prenotazione
๐ Hear Italian
Where is the bathroom?
Dov'รจ il bagno?
๐ Hear Italian
The menu please
Il menu per favore
๐ Hear Italian
I'll have pizza
Prendo la pizza
๐ Hear Italian
The check please
Il conto per favore
๐ Hear Italian
Church
Chiesa
๐ Hear Italian
Let's go!
Andiamo!
๐ Hear Italian
Beginner Dialogue Section
๐ Meeting Someone
English:
Hello
Hi
What is your name?
My name is Marco
Nice to meet you
Nice to meet you
Where are you from?
I'm from California
Italian:
Ciao
Ciao
Come ti chiami?
Mi chiamo Marco
Piacere
Piacere
Di dove sei?
Sono della California
☕ Ordering Coffee
English:
Good morning
Good morning
One coffee please
Right away
Thank you
You're welcome
Italian:
Buongiorno
Buongiorno
Un caffรจ per favore
Subito
Grazie
Prego
๐ Ordering Food
English:
Good evening
Good evening
I would like pizza
Okay
Water?
Yes
Italian:
Buonasera
Buonasera
Vorrei la pizza
Va bene
Acqua?
Sรฌ
๐ฎ๐น Advanced Conversation Section
๐️ Talking About Italian Heritage
English:
My family is Italian
Really? From where?
From southern Italy, Sicily
Nice
Do you visit Italy often?
Yes, when I can
Italian:
La mia famiglia รจ italiana
Davvero? Di dove?
Dal sud Italia, dalla Sicilia
Che bello
Visiti spesso l'Italia?
Sรฌ, quando posso
๐ Talking at a Restaurant
English:
Do you have traditional Italian dishes?
Yes, we have homemade pasta
Do you recommend something?
The lasagna
Perfect, I'll take it
Great choice
Italian:
Avete piatti tipici italiani?
Sรฌ, abbiamo pasta fatta in casa
Consigliate qualcosa?
Le lasagne
Perfetto, le prendo
Ottima scelta
๐ Talking at a Festival
English:
This festival is beautiful
Yes, it's an Italian tradition
How long have you held it?
For many years
Do many people come?
Yes, every year
Italian:
Questa festa รจ bellissima
Sรฌ, รจ una tradizione italiana
Da quanto tempo la fate?
Da molti anni
Viene molta gente?
Sรฌ, ogni anno
๐ฎ๐น Italian American Conversations
๐ฎ๐น Talking About Family Heritage
English:
Are you Italian?
Yes, I'm Italian American
Where is your family from?
Naples
Do you speak Italian?
A little
Italian:
Sei italiano?
Sรฌ, sono italoamericano
Di dove รจ la tua famiglia?
Da Napoli
Parli italiano?
Un po'
๐ Sunday Dinner Conversation
English:
Shall we eat together?
Yes
Who is cooking?
Grandma
Perfect
Always
Italian:
Mangiamo insieme?
Sรฌ
Chi cucina?
La nonna
Perfetto
Sempre
๐️ Little Italy Conversation
English:
Do you go to Little Italy often?
Yes, I like it a lot
Are there Italian restaurants?
Many
It's a nice community
Yes, very welcoming
Italian:
Vai spesso a Little Italy?
Sรฌ, mi piace molto
Ci sono ristoranti italiani?
Molti
ร una bella comunitร
Sรฌ, molto accogliente
๐ฎ๐น Italian American Identity Conversation
English:
I'm Italian but live in California
Me too
Does your family speak Italian?
Only a little
Do you keep traditions?
Yes, always
Italian:
Sono italiano ma vivo in California
Anch'io
La tua famiglia parla italiano?
Solo un po'
Mantenete le tradizioni?
Sรฌ, sempre
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