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.

Basic Italian phrases

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

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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