Basic Italian phrases
and how to pronounce them
Your language guide to basic Italian phrases : how to learn Italian from scratch -
tarting 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.
| 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! |
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