Basic Italian phrases
and how to pronounce them

Basic Italian phrases: how to learn Italian from scratch -
starting with how to say hello.

Going to Italy and want to be able to communicate? You'll be an instant hit with Italian people you meet if you try!

So, let us be your Italian language guide while you learn some very basic Italian phrases.

Italian is one of the most expressive languages in the world. Sit, watch and listen in any restaurant or café in Italy and you can't help but feel energised. Hands wave, fists pound, eyes gleam.

You may want to learn how to speak Italian fluently, or just enough to get by, or just barely enough to learn how to say hello. Whichever it is, as the saying goes, "every journey starts with the first step".

So, here's the first step for you.  Our guide to the most basic Italian phrases for you to practice before you travel.

N.B. The emphasis in each word or phrase is highlighted in bold.

Basic Italian phrases


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Basic Italian Phrases

English
 Italian
 How it's pronounced
Hello!
 Ciao!
 Chow!
Yes
 Sì
 See
No
 No
 No
Please
 Per favore
 Pair fav-aw-ray
Thank you
 Grazie
 Graz-ee-ay
Thank you very much
 Grazie mille
 Graz-eemee-lay
Don't mention it / you're welcome
 Prego
 Pray-go
Good morning / good afternoon
 Buongiorno
 Bwon jaw-no
Good evening
 Buonasera
 Bwone-a say-ra
Good night
 Buona notte
 Bwone-a nottay
How are you? (singular, formal)
 Come va?
 Comay va?
How are you? (singular and plural, informal)
 Come stai?
 Comay sty?
How are you? (plural, formal)
 Come sta?
 Comay sta?
I'm fine, thank you.
 Sto bene, grazie
 Stow benay, grazee-ay
My name is ...
 Mi chiamo
 Mee key-amo
I'm American (female)
 Sono Americana
 So-know Ameree-cana
I'm American (male)
 Sono Americano
 So-know Amer-ee-ca-know
I'm English (f and m)
 Sono Inglese
 So-know een-glay-say
Australian f (m)
 Australiana (o)
 Ow-stra-lyan-a (o)
Canadian (f and m)
 Canadese
 Cana-day-zee
Polish
 Polacca (o)
 Poe-la-ca
Russian
 Russa (o)
 Roo-sa (o)
My name is ...
 Mi chiamo ...
 Mee key-amow
I'm from ... (city / town)
 Sono di ...
 So-know dee ...
Pleased to meet you
 Piacere!
 Pee-ya-chair-ay
That's great / fine
 Va bene
 Va ben-ay
Sorry / excuse me (formal)
 Scusi
 Scoo-see
Sorry / excuse me (informal)
 Scusa
 Scoo-sa
I'm sorry (regret)
 Mi dispiace
 Mee dee-spee-a-chay
I understand a little
 Capisco un po'
 Capees-coh oon poe
I don't speak Italian
 Non parlo Italiano
 Non par-low ee-talyano
Please speak more slowly
 Più piano, per favore,
Pee-oo pee-aknow, per favor-ay
Let's go
 Andiamo
 Andy-amo
Goodbye
 Arrivederci
 Aree-ved-erchee
Goodbye (informal)
 Ciao!
 Chow!


Some products you may find helpful

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More ways for you to learn the Italian language

Love phrases in Italian

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