Basic Italian phrases for travel

Excuse me

SKOO-zee

Use it to get someone’s attention before a question, or to squeeze past on a crowded metro.

The polite form for strangers. With friends it becomes “scusa”.

• Casual Scusa SKOO-zah

Please

pehr fah-VOH-reh

Add it to any order or request.

Thank you

GRAH-tsyeh

Say it after any small service, such as a waiter bringing a dish or a shopkeeper handing over change.

Thank you very much

GRAH-tsyeh MEEL-leh

Use it when someone has gone out of their way to help and you want to show extra gratitude.

Literally “a thousand thanks” - the standard strong thank-you in Italy.

You’re welcome

PREH-goh

Use it after someone thanks you. “No problem” is a more casual alternative.

“Prego” is a Swiss Army word: you’re welcome, after you, come in, how can I help. You’ll hear it everywhere.

I’m sorry

mee dees-PYAH-cheh

Use it to apologise when you’ve made a mistake or caused someone trouble.

Yes

see

Useful for confirming a price or accepting an offer.

No

noh

Use it to turn down an offer or an extra you didn’t ask for.

Okay

vah BEH-neh

Use it to agree to a plan, a price, a meeting time or a pickup point.

Perfect

pehr-FET-toh

A warmer “okay” for when a suggestion suits you.

That works for me

pehr meh vah BEH-neh

Use it to accept a suggestion, such as a later table or a different room.

No problem

nes-SOON proh-BLEH-mah

Use it when someone apologises to you, or to wave off a small inconvenience.

One moment, please

oon AHT-tee-moh pehr fah-VOH-reh

Buy yourself a few seconds at the counter while you find your wallet or decide what to buy.

Could you help me, please?

mee pwoh ah-yoo-TAH-reh pehr fah-VOH-reh

The polite way to open a request for assistance.

Hello

SAHL-veh

An everyday greeting polite enough for staff and strangers. One of the first things you should learn in any language.

The polite, any-time greeting when you’re unsure. In practice locals mostly say “buongiorno” or “buonasera”.

Hi

chow

The casual “hello” for friends and anyone you know well.

Hello and goodbye in one, but it’s informal. With staff and strangers, “salve” or “buongiorno” is safer.

Good morning

bwon-JOR-noh

Use it until around midday when you greet staff in a shop, café or hotel.

Good afternoon

bwoh-nah-SEH-rah

For the stretch between lunch and evening. When people switch to “good evening” varies, so follow what locals say to you.

Italian skips “good afternoon”. In many regions locals switch straight to “buonasera” from early afternoon.

Good evening

bwoh-nah-SEH-rah

The greeting for later in the day: walking into a restaurant for dinner, or checking in after dark.

Goodbye

ah-ree-veh-DEHR-chee

Say it as you leave a shop or get out of a taxi.

The polite farewell. “Ciao” works with anyone you’d call a friend.

See you later

ah DOH-poh

For people you’ll see again, such as hotel staff or the barista you visit each morning.

Have a good day

BWOH-nah jor-NAH-tah

A sign-off after a short exchange, such as paying in a shop.

My name is [name]

mee KYAH-moh [NOH-meh]

It’s useful to introduce yourself in the local language, especially when meeting people during your travels.

How are you?

KOH-meh STAH

Follow your greeting with it. Some people answer briefly, others treat it as a real question.

• Casual Come va? KOH-meh VAH

I’m well, thank you

BEH-neh GRAH-tsyeh

The standard reply to “How are you?”. Ask the question back if you want to continue the conversation.

Nice to meet you

pyah-CHEH-reh

A useful phrase when meeting someone new on your travels. Saying it in the local language is a nice touch.

This form has no gender endings, so it works for everyone.