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Italy · Italian Travel Phrases

The most useful local expressions, ordered by importance. Pronunciations are approximate.

Greetings

  1. 1
    Buongiorno
    Hello / Good day (morning to afternoon; say it on entering shops) “bwon-JOR-no”
  2. 2
    Buonasera
    Good evening (late afternoon onward) “bwo-na-SEH-ra”
  3. 3
    Grazie
    Thank you “GRAH-tsyeh”
  4. 4
    Prego
    You're welcome / Go ahead (also 'please, after you') “PREH-go”
  5. 5
    Per favore
    Please “pehr fa-VOH-reh”
  6. 6
    Scusi
    Excuse me / Sorry (polite, to strangers) “SKOO-zee”
  7. 7
    Ciao
    Hi / Bye (informal, with friends) “chow”
  8. 8
    Arrivederci
    Goodbye (polite) “ah-ree-veh-DEHR-chee”
Local etiquette
  • Greet with 'Buongiorno' (or 'Buonasera' in the evening) when you enter a shop, bar or restaurant. Grabbing items or talking to staff without a greeting comes off as rude.
  • Friends greet with a cheek kiss (starting on the left); a handshake is safe for first meetings.
  • Use 'Scusi' (polite) for strangers and staff, and 'Ciao' only with friends.

Basics

  1. 1
    Sì / No
    Yes / No “see / no”
  2. 2
    Non capisco
    I don't understand “non ka-PEE-sko”
  3. 3
    Non parlo italiano
    I don't speak Italian “non PAR-lo ee-ta-LYAH-no”
  4. 4
    Parla inglese?
    Do you speak English? “PAR-la een-GLEH-zeh?”
  5. 5
    Può parlare più lentamente?
    Could you speak more slowly? “pwo par-LAH-reh pyoo len-ta-MEN-teh?”
  6. 6
    Cos'è questo?
    What is this? “ko-ZEH KWEH-sto?”
  7. 7
    Posso fare una foto?
    May I take a photo? “PO-sso FAH-reh OO-na FO-to?”
  8. 8
    Mi può aiutare?
    Can you help me? “mee pwo ah-yoo-TAH-reh?”
Local etiquette
  • Talking with your hands is completely normal, and lively, loud conversation isn't considered rude.
  • Many churches and museums ban photos or flash — check for signs before shooting.

Shopping

  1. 1
    Quanto costa?
    How much is it? “KWAN-to KO-sta?”
  2. 2
    Posso pagare con la carta?
    Can I pay by card? “PO-sso pa-GAH-reh kon la KAR-ta?”
  3. 3
    Vorrei questo
    I'd like this one “vo-RAY KWEH-sto”
  4. 4
    Posso provarlo?
    Can I try it on? “PO-sso pro-VAR-lo?”
  5. 5
    Sto solo guardando
    I'm just looking “sto SO-lo gwar-DAN-do”
  6. 6
    Fate il tax free?
    Do you do tax-free (VAT refund)? “FAH-teh eel taks free?”
Local etiquette
  • Don't touch loose fruit and vegetables with bare hands; use the provided plastic gloves or ask the vendor.
  • Many shops close for a midday break (riposo) around 1–4pm, especially in smaller towns.
  • Non-EU visitors can claim a VAT refund above a minimum spend in one store — carry your passport.

Restaurant

  1. 1
    Un tavolo per due, per favore
    A table for two, please “oon TAH-vo-lo pehr DOO-eh, pehr fa-VOH-reh”
  2. 2
    Il menù, per favore
    The menu, please “eel meh-NOO, pehr fa-VOH-reh”
  3. 3
    Un caffè, per favore
    An espresso, please (plain 'caffè' = espresso) “oon ka-FEH, pehr fa-VOH-reh”
  4. 4
    Cosa mi consiglia?
    What do you recommend? “KO-za mee kon-SEE-lya?”
  5. 5
    Acqua naturale / frizzante
    Still / sparkling water (water is usually paid) “AH-kwa na-too-RAH-leh / free-TSAN-teh”
  6. 6
    Ho un'allergia
    I have an allergy “o oo-nal-ler-JEE-a”
  7. 7
    Il conto, per favore
    The check, please “eel KON-to, pehr fa-VOH-reh”
  8. 8
    È buonissimo!
    It's delicious! “eh bwo-NEE-ssee-mo!”
Local etiquette
  • Cappuccino is a morning drink; after a meal, Italians order an espresso (caffè), not cappuccino.
  • Standing at the bar counter is much cheaper than sitting; a table adds a cover charge (coperto).
  • A cover charge (coperto) or service (servizio) is often already on the bill, so tipping isn't required — just round up the change if you were happy.
  • Dinner usually starts after 8pm; places open before 7pm are mostly tourist-oriented.

Getting around

  1. 1
    Dov'è il bagno?
    Where is the restroom? “do-VEH eel BAH-nyo?”
  2. 2
    Dov'è la stazione?
    Where is the station? “do-VEH la sta-TSYOH-neh?”
  3. 3
    Un biglietto, per favore
    One ticket, please “oon bee-LYET-to, pehr fa-VOH-reh”
  4. 4
    Devo convalidare il biglietto?
    Do I need to validate the ticket? (fine if you don't) “DEH-vo kon-va-lee-DAH-reh eel bee-LYET-to?”
  5. 5
    A che ora parte?
    What time does it leave? “ah keh O-ra PAR-teh?”
  6. 6
    A questo indirizzo, per favore
    To this address, please (taxi) “ah KWEH-sto een-dee-REE-tso, pehr fa-VOH-reh”
  7. 7
    Mi sono perso
    I'm lost “mee SO-no PEHR-so”
Local etiquette
  • Paper train and bus tickets must be stamped in the yellow validation machine (convalida) before boarding — skipping it counts as fare evasion and brings a heavy fine.
  • Pickpockets are common in Rome, Milan and other big cities; wear your bag on your front on metros and buses.
  • Take taxis from official ranks or by phone/app; hailing one on the street is uncommon.

Hotel

  1. 1
    Ho una prenotazione
    I have a reservation “o OO-na preh-no-ta-TSYOH-neh”
  2. 2
    Vorrei fare il check-in
    I'd like to check in “vo-RAY FAH-reh eel check-in”
  3. 3
    A che ora è il check-out?
    What time is check-out? “ah keh O-ra eh eel check-out?”
  4. 4
    Può tenere i bagagli?
    Could you hold my luggage? “pwo teh-NEH-reh ee ba-GAH-lyee?”
  5. 5
    Qual è la password del Wi-Fi?
    What's the Wi-Fi password? “kwal eh la password del wee-fee?”
Local etiquette
  • Many cities charge a nightly tourist tax (tassa di soggiorno) collected separately, often in cash and not included in your booking price.
  • You must hand over your passport at check-in for the legally required guest registration, so keep it with you.

Emergency

  1. 1
    Aiuto!
    Help! “ah-YOO-to!”
  2. 2
    Chiami la polizia
    Call the police “KYAH-mee la po-lee-TSEE-a”
  3. 3
    Chiami un'ambulanza
    Call an ambulance “KYAH-mee oo-nam-boo-LAN-tsa”
  4. 4
    Dov'è l'ospedale?
    Where is the hospital? “do-VEH lo-speh-DAH-leh?”
  5. 5
    Mi hanno rubato il portafoglio
    My wallet was stolen (pickpocketed) “mee AN-no roo-BAH-to eel por-ta-FO-lyo”
  6. 6
    Ho perso il passaporto
    I lost my passport “o PEHR-so eel pa-ssa-POR-to”
Local etiquette
  • The single emergency number is 112 (police, ambulance and fire); 118 also reaches an ambulance.
  • Report theft to the police (Carabinieri or Polizia) and get a written statement (denuncia) — you'll need it for insurance.