Thanks to the incredible variety of regional cultures, you don’t just travel to Italy. With enough time, you’ll explore the rolling vineyards of Tuscany, cruise the azure waters of the Amalfi coast, glide through the canals of Venice, retreat to the scenic northern lakes, marvel at history in Rome, and immerse yourself in the art and culture of Florence.
Picture yourself with all the famous landmarks, enjoying pizzas, vino (wine), and panini (sandwiches) in every city along the way. Perhaps you’ll step on the same stones as Caesar Augustus, gaze on the art that Raphael painstakingly created, or stay at a local farm in the Puglia region.
Whether it’s your first trip to Italy or your tenth, you’ll find new adventures with each trip! But to be even better prepared for your upcoming trip, Rosetta Stone can help you connect to the Italian language and culture. From basic phrases to Italian idioms, you’ll learn the most essential Italian phrases for travel and interacting with locals!
Table of Contents
Italian greetings and basic phrases
Italian culture is known for its warmth and openness, so it’s a perfect place to practice the Italian you’ve learned. Knowing just the basics of greetings and polite manners can make a big difference in how you present yourself overseas. Sharing the simplest of exchanges will not only show respect, but can make you more confident and immersed in the experience!
You can try 10 Italian sayings without being afraid of making mistakes as they’ll happily correct you with a smile and enthusiastic hand gestures. With some simple conversations, you might even feel you have made molti amici (many friends) along the way! Who knows? Maybe a sweet Italian nonna (grandmother) will invite you to a family dinner. Use some of these common words and phrases for basic conversation with Italians.
| Italian | English |
| ciao | hello / goodbye (informal) |
| salve | hello (formal) |
| buongiorno | good morning (before lunch) |
| buonasera | good afternoon / evening |
| buonanotte | good night (only at bedtime) |
| benvenuto | welcome |
| Come va? | How is it going? |
| Come stai? | How are you? (informal) |
| Come sta? | How are you (formal) |
| (molto) bene grazie | (very) well, thank you |
| piacere / piacere di conoscerti | nice to meet you (informal) |
| piacere di conoscerla | nice to meet you (formal) |
| felice de vederti | nice to see you (friend) |
| sì | yes |
| no | no |
| assolutamente sì | absolutely, yes |
| va bene | ok great |
| per favore | please |
| grazie | thank you |
| prego | you’re welcome |
| scusa | excuse me (informal) |
| mi scusi | excuse me (formal) |
| permesso | excuse me (to pass by) |
| mi dispiace | I’m sorry |
| arrivederci | goodbye |
| buona serata | Have a good night. |
| a presto | see you soon |
| ci vediamo (domani) | see you tomorrow |
| alla prossima | until next time |
| bello / bella | handsome / beautiful |
| signore | man / sir |
| signora | woman / ma’am |
| Pronto? | ready (to answer the phone) |
| Come ti chiama? | What is your name? |
| mi chiamo… | My name is… |
| Salute! | Cheers! (when toasting) |
| Parla Inglese? | Do you speak English? |
| non capisco | I don’t understand |
Directions
Thanks to our mobile devices, most of us can live our lives blissfully unaware of the compass points, since directions are just a click away. But if you don’t have an international data plan while traveling, you may need to ask directions in the old-fashioned way.
Finding your destination on your own is great, but getting “lost” is an opportunity. We definitely encourage you to be open to experiencing something unplanned. You can learn these Italian phrases for directions to practice your Italian and feel confident about wandering a new city. Remember, being polite is so much more important than sounding perfect.
While you’re counting down the days to your departure, set the language of your mobile navigation app to Italian to practice hearing directions! It will help you be familiar with some of the common Italian phrases for travel.
| Italian | English |
| dov’è…? | Where is…? |
| Dov’è il bagno? | Where is the bathroom? |
| Mi sono perso/a | I’m lost |
| cerco… | I’m looking for |
| Quant’è lontano a…? | How far is…? |
| Posso usare il bagno, per favore? | Can I use the bathroom, please? |
| l’entrata | the entrance |
| l’uscita | the exit |
| gira | turn |
| a sinistra | left |
| a destra | right |
| dritto | straight ahead |
| avanti | forward |
| dietro | back |
| vicino | close |
| lontano | far |
>> Learn about the best ruins in Rome you can’t miss!
Dining
Whether you’re searching for a dish just like nonna used to make, trying out the best of the Mediterranean diet, or just love pasta and wine, Italy’s open invitation to culinary heaven will never disappoint you. When you arrive, plan to adjust to the rhythm and style of meals in Italy, which means eating slower and later.
Travelers who are accustomed to omelets or hearty breakfasts can quickly make the switch to a simpler but delicious opening meal of coffee, espresso, or cappuccino and a favorite pastry. Try cornetti (Italian croissants), biscotti (cookies), or a simple pane (bread/roll) with burro and marmellata (butter and jam).
Lunch is typically eaten between 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Many Italian restaurants are only open for certain hours of the day, so plan ahead and try out your Italian while making a reservation. Panini are commonly eaten for lunch, but Italians also love to sit down for a full meal too. Whatever you do, don’t walk and eat. Enjoy your food!
By afternoon, you’ll be ready for a break, just as Italians are. Aperitivo is a drink and pre-dinner social opportunity that can happen in the early evening until around 8 p.m. Many places offer light snacks with your drink. The spritz cocktail is the popular red-orange drink you’ll see in many Italian hands, but you can order any refreshing beverage of your choice.
Dinner hours are typical of other Mediterranean countries—much later than in North America. You might find pizzerias and tourist traps open a bit earlier, but the best restaurants begin serving around 7:30 p.m. and stay open until 10 p.m. or later. Here’s what’s typically on a dinner menu.
- antipasti (appetizers) – cured meats, cheeses, and small salads
- primi (first course) – pasta, rice, and soups
- secundi (second course) – meats, poultry, and fish entrees
- contorno (sides) – order your favorite accompaniments
- dolci (desserts) – sweet treats to finish your meal
- digestivo (digestives) – usually a limoncello or brandy with digestive herbs
| Italian | English |
| Che cosa ci consiglia? | What do you recommend? |
| Il menu, per favore? | The menu, please? |
| vorrei… | I would like… |
| Avete un tavolo per # persone? | Do you have a table for # people? |
| oggi | today |
| domani | tomorrow |
| a che hora? | at what time? |
| le # | # o’clock |
| di mattina | in the morning |
| di pomeriggio | in the afternoon |
| di sera | in the evening |
| il conto, per favore | check, please |
| Sono allergico/a a… | I am allergic to… |
| Sono vegetariano/a / vegano/a | I am a vegetarian |
| Sono vegano/a | I am a vegan |
| non posso mangiare… | I can’t eat… |
| il glutine | gluten |
| i latticini | dairy |
| il pesce | fish |
| i frutti di mare | shellfish / seafood |
| nocciole | nuts |
| uovo / uova | egg / eggs |
| il formaggio | cheese |
| il pane | bread |
| la pasta | pasta |
| mangiare | to eat |
| bere | to drink |
| la colazione | breakfast |
| il pranzo | lunch |
| lo spuntino | snack |
| la cena | dinner |
| il dolce | dessert |
| la bibita | beverage |
| l’antipasto | appetizer |
| il primo | first course |
| il secondo | second course |
| il vino della casa | house wine |
| il vino rosso / il vino bianco | red wine / white wine |
| l’acqua frizzante / naturale | sparkling water / still water |
| con | with |
| senza | without |
| potrei avere… | may I have.. |
| una forchetta | fork |
| un coltello | knife |
| un cucchiaio | spoon |
| una mancia | tip / gratuity |
Accommodations
After a day of touring, every traveler needs a place to lay their head. Accommodation options in Italy range from farm stays to luxury hotels. Explore options for agritourism, castle stays, homestays with a local, hostels, bed and breakfasts, or even a monastery!
Whatever your destination, learn some Italian travel phrases to help you navigate your stay from booking until departure. If you have the chance to chat with an on-site host, consider asking for local recommendations, as they’re the local experts. When possible, choose locations that can accommodate your luggage between destinations or have easy access to transportation if you’re trying to visit multiple cities during your time in Italy.
| Italian | English |
| Ho prenotato una stanza a nome di… | I’ve booked a room in the name of… |
| A che ora è il check-in / check-out? | When is check in / check out? |
| prenotare una stanza | to book a room |
| la camera singola / doppia | single / double room |
| il letto singolo / matrimoniale | single / double bed |
| Avete… | Do you have… |
| non fumatori | non-smoking |
| una piscina | pool |
| un deposito bagagli | hold baggage service |
| un ascensore | an elevator |
| Qual’è la password per il Wi-Fi? | What is the Wi-Fi password? |
| Ho perso la chiave. | I lost my key. |
| Ci può svegliare alle #, per favore? | Can you wake us at #, please? |
| … non funziona | … isn’t working |
| l’acqua calda / fredda | hot water / cold water |
| la doccia | shower |
| la chiave | key |
| la luce | light |
| l’aria condizionata | air conditioning |
| il riscaldamento | heating |
| la televisione | TV |
| potrei avere… | may I have… |
| un cambio delle lenzuola | a change of sheets |
| un asciugamano | a towel |
| una coperta | a blanket |
| non disturbare | do not disturb |
| per favore rifare la camera | please service the room |
Sightseeing and attractions
Seeing the sights in Italy requires careful planning, but you’ll also want to pause and take in the beautiful landscapes, notice the intricate details of buildings, and walk into every church that’s open. The architecture of even the most commonplace buildings is a photographer’s dream. Even while embracing a slower pace of travel, you’ll never be without a beautiful view indoors or outdoors.
You can do a lot in Italy without entry tickets, but we suggest breaking in your walking shoes. It’s always worth it to climb to the top of the tallest staircase or dome in the city for the spectacular views. And braving the queues at the popular gallery, or entering as many must-see historical sites as you possibly can is a must. You won’t be able to see it all in one trip (or even three), but we imagine this won’t be your last trip to Italy!
| Italian | English |
| un biglietto / due biglietti | a ticket / two tickets |
| un pensionato | one senior |
| uno studente | a student |
| un museo / una galleria | a museum / a gallery |
| un monumento | a monument |
| fare giri turistici | to go sightseeing |
| Quando si apri? | When does it open? |
| Quando si chiude? | When does it close? |
| una visita guidata | a guided tour |
| un parco di divertimenti | an amusement park |
| un luna park | a fair |
| una festa / un festival | a party / a festival |
| uno stadio | a stadium |
| una partita | a sports match |
>> Plan your trip during one of the many fun holidays in Italy!
Shopping
One thing is for certain, you’ll return from Italy with a heart and camera full of memories…and hopefully a memorable souvenir to bring back home. Shopping in Italy will have something for everyone. From the highest of boutique fashion and accessories to the keychain purchased hastily from a street vendor, there is something for every taste and budget.
While the must-have souvenir will vary depending on the region, in most locations in Italy, you can find artisanal products in the mercato all’aperto (open air market). Travelers are often curious if it is possible to negotiate or bargain for a better price. Check first for a sign that says prezzo fisso (fixed price), which indicates that bargaining is not welcome.
As the saying goes, “When in Rome…” So, observe the transactions taking place around you, and do what the others do. You might notice that some shoppers are getting a better deal if they buy more than one item, which means a little bit of haggling could be a win for both parties.
| Italian | English |
| vorrei | I would like |
| Quanto costa questo? | How much is this? |
| Quant’è, per favore? | How much is it? |
| Va bene, lo prendo. | Ok, I’ll take it. |
| No, lo voglio | I don’t want it. |
| puoi spedire a… ? | Can you ship to…? |
| cerco… | I’m looking for… |
| sono / porto / indosso una taglia … | I wear a size… |
| Vorrei provare questi | I would like to try these on. |
| Dove sono i camerini? | Where are the fitting rooms? |
| Sono grandi / piccoli | They are big / small. |
| Ha una taglia più grande? | Do you have a bigger size? |
| Ha altri colori? | Are there other colors? |
| preferisco… | I prefer |
| un negozio di… | a ___ shop |
| pagare | to pay |
| caro | expensive |
| un buon prezzo | a good price |
| gratuito | free |
| uno sconto | a discount |
| Accetta…? | Do you accept….? |
| la carta di credito | credit card |
| contanti | cash |
| la ricevuta | receipt |
Transportation
The type of transportation you will choose while in Italy will very much depend on your itinerary and location. If you prefer to be in the driver’s seat, renting a car is a great option for navigating through countryside destinations. Fortunately, drivers drive on the right side of the road in Italy. If you’re not from a European Union or European Economic Area country, be sure to get an International Driving Permit before you travel.
Otherwise, trust that Italy’s transportation systems have you covered! The extensive network of trains, buses, metros, and domestic airlines make it easy to cover more than one area. Taxis await you outside the airports and often advertise a flat rate to take you within the city limits. There are ride-share options (Free Now app) and private drivers for hire, which is recommended in the extremely narrow cities of the Amalfi Coast.
And don’t forget your feet! Europeans walk more than people from the U.S., so don’t hesitate to get your steps in. And where there are many tourists, there can also be many scams. Do your research to ensure safe transportation without getting ripped off. Taxis in large cities may be required to display a certain emblem, and meters should show accurate rates. Knowing some Italian is a good way to show that you’ve prepared ahead.
| Italian | English |
| Dov’è la stazione? | Where is the train station? |
| Dov’è la fermata? | Where is the bus stop? |
| un biglietto / due biglietti | one / two tickets |
| andata | one way |
| ritorno | return |
| Da quale binario? | What platform? |
| l’aeroplano | airplane |
| l’aeroporto | airport |
| noleggiare | to rent |
| un biglietto | a ticket |
| la tariffa | fare |
| il passaporto | passport |
| la patente di guida | driver’s license |
| A che ora? | At what time? |
| in ritardo | late |
| in orario | on time |
| l’imbarco | boarding |
| Quant’è la tariffa? | What is the fare? |
| Puoi prendere il percorso più veloce? | Can you take the fastest route? |
| Ecco l’indirizzo della mia destinazione. | Here is the destination’s address. |
Beach and recreation
Going to the spiaggia (beach) in Italy is a popular activity for visitors and locals alike—especially in the heat of the summer. A few beaches are free, but most beaches use a day pass system. When you enter a stabilimento balneare (a private or paid beach club), your entry fee may include some well-appreciated amenities such as restrooms, changing areas, lifeguards, showers, and umbrella and beach chair rentals. Outdoor bars and restaurants are commonly available during peak seasons.
If sand is not your thing, you’re in luck. There are many kinds of coastlines along Italy’s boot-shaped perimeter! Consider a pebble or rocky beach for walking, running, or even hiking. Or visit one of Italy’s many lakes for a different water experience. Whether you want to marinate in the sun or book a boating excursion to an island like Capri, we’re sure that Italy will have just what you’re looking for.
| Italian | English |
| la spiaggia | beach |
| il mare | ocean |
| il lungomare | boardwalk |
| il bagnino | lifeguard |
| nuotare | to swim |
| abbronzarsi | to get a tan |
| gli occhiali da sole | sunglasses |
| la crema/protezione solare | sunscreen |
| il costume da bagno | swimsuit |
| il telo mare | beach towel |
| Andiamo al mare? | Shall we go to the beach? |
| Il tempo è bellissimo! | The weather is beautiful. |
| attenti alle onde! | beware the waves |
| il parco | park (outdoor area) |
| il teatro | theater |
| la cinema | movie theater |
| il film | movie |
| lo spettacolo / la opera / la commedia | show / opera / comedy show |
| la zona sciistica | ski area |
| il percorso escursionistico | hiking trail |
Health and wellness
Medical emergencies when abroad can be scary but help is available. While there is a very good chance that none of this information will be needed, it’s a good idea to commit a few of these phrases to memory in case you, a fellow traveler, or even a passerby, should need medical care while you’re on your trip.
Travelers with specific medical needs such as severe allergies or diabetes should consider what kind of medical alert can be worn to convey the message in case you can’t speak. Others in your party should have the phrases written in Italian as well. Keep in mind that some medications and foods might go by different names in Italy, and labeling standards are not identical throughout the world.
For an ambulance or immediate medical attention, the number to call is 112 from any telephone. No country code is necessary.
| Italian | English |
| Non me sento bene. | I don’t feel well. |
| Me gira la testa. | I feel dizzy. |
| Mi sento male. | I feel sick. |
| Ho la febbre. | I have a fever. |
| Ho bisogno di un dottore medico. | I need a doctor. |
| Devo vedere un dentista. | I need to see a dentist. |
| Sono diabetico/a. | I’m diabetic. |
| Ho bisogno di qualcosa per… | I need something for… |
| Mi fa male qui… | It hurts me here. |
| Ho delle allergie. | I have allergies. |
| Sono allergico/a a … | I’m allergic to… |
| Sto avendo una reazione allergica… | I’m having an allergic reaction. |
| Mi sento molto debole. | I feel very weak. |
| Dov’è la farmacia? | Where is the pharmacy? |
| Sto sanguinando. | I’m bleeding. |
| una frattura | a broken bone |
| un taglio | a cut |
| un mal de testa | a headache |
| Sono incinta. | I’m pregnant. |
Emergencies
No one plans a vacation expecting that they’ll end up in an emergency situation, but that’s why you’ll want to be prepared ahead of time. A stressful situation doesn’t have to ruin your whole trip. While some hassle can be avoided by having your passport and wallet secured at all times, and being aware of the latest scams in crowded places, you’ll want to know how to call for help if something does occur. These Italian phrases for travel emergencies will come in handy.
| Italian | English |
| Aiuto! | Help! |
| E un’emergenza! | It’s an emergency! |
| Ho bisogno di aiuto! | I need help! |
| Sono stato/a derubato/a. | I’ve been robbed. |
| Ho perso… | I lost… |
| Chiama la polizia! | Call the police! |
| Attento! / Stia attento! | Look out! |
| Vai via! | Go away! |
| Chiami un’ambulanza! | Call an ambulance! |
| Puoi aiutarmi? | Can you help me? |
| Dov’è l’ambasciata di USA? | Where is the U.S. embassy? |
| Non sa nuotare! | He / she can’t swim! |
| Mi hanno rubato il passaporto. | My passport has been stolen. |
Perfect your Italian phrases for travel (and more) with Rosetta Stone
We only just dipped our toes in the vast and amazing experience that awaits when you travel to Italy. We want you to experience it for yourself and feel confident that you can communicate with ease.
Speaking some Italian will unlock layers of connection and cultural understanding! Rosetta Stone can help with the Dynamic Immersion method that provides maximum exposure to a new language. Learn through audio spoken by native speakers, written words, and real-world images.
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