Getting Started with Essential Italian
When you start learning Italian, a small set of high‑frequency words and phrases will help you communicate in many everyday situations. This guide focuses on practical vocabulary with clear examples and English translations so you can start speaking immediately.
1. Basic Greetings and Polite Phrases
These are the first expressions you will use in almost every conversation.
Common Greetings
- Ciao – Hi / Bye (informal)
- Buongiorno – Good morning / Good day
- Buon pomeriggio – Good afternoon
- Buonasera – Good evening
- Buonanotte – Good night
Polite Expressions
- Per favore – Please
- Grazie – Thank you
- Grazie mille – Thank you very much
- Prego – You’re welcome / Please (as in “go ahead”)
- Scusa – Excuse me / Sorry (informal)
- Mi scusi – Excuse me / I’m sorry (formal)
Useful Greeting Examples
Example 1:
Buongiorno, come sta? – Good morning, how are you? (formal)
Example 2:
Ciao, come stai? – Hi, how are you? (informal)
2. Introducing Yourself
Learn how to say your name, where you are from, and some simple personal details.
Key Phrases
- Mi chiamo... – My name is...
- Io sono... – I am...
- Piacere – Nice to meet you
- Sono di... – I am from...
- Ho ... anni – I am ... years old
- Parlo un po’ di italiano – I speak a little Italian
- Non parlo bene l’italiano – I don’t speak Italian well
Introduction Examples
Example 1:
Ciao, mi chiamo Anna. Piacere. – Hi, my name is Anna. Nice to meet you.
Example 2:
Buonasera, io sono Marco. Sono di Londra. – Good evening, I am Marco. I am from London.
Example 3:
Parlo un po’ di italiano, ma sono principiante. – I speak a little Italian, but I am a beginner.
3. Essential Question Words
Question words help you get information and keep conversations going.
- Chi? – Who?
- Che cosa? / Cosa? – What?
- Quando? – When?
- Dove? – Where?
- Perché? – Why?
- Come? – How?
- Quanto? / Quanta? – How much? (masculine / feminine)
- Quanti? / Quante? – How many? (masculine / feminine plural)
Question Examples
Dove è il bagno? – Where is the bathroom?
Quanto costa? – How much does it cost?
Perché sei in Italia? – Why are you in Italy?
Come ti chiami? – What’s your name? (literally: How do you call yourself?)
4. Numbers, Days, and Time Basics
Numbers and days are essential for prices, schedules, and appointments.
Numbers 0–10
- Zero – 0
- Uno – 1
- Due – 2
- Tre – 3
- Quattro – 4
- Cinque – 5
- Sei – 6
- Sette – 7
- Otto – 8
- Nove – 9
- Dieci – 10
Days of the Week
- Lunedì – Monday
- Martedì – Tuesday
- Mercoledì – Wednesday
- Giovedì – Thursday
- Venerdì – Friday
- Sabato – Saturday
- Domenica – Sunday
Time Basics
- Che ora è? – What time is it?
- È l’una. – It’s one o’clock.
- Sono le tre. – It’s three o’clock.
- Oggi – Today
- Domani – Tomorrow
- Ieri – Yesterday
5. Survival Phrases for Travel
Use these phrases in hotels, restaurants, and on the street.
Asking for Help and Directions
- Mi può aiutare? – Can you help me? (formal)
- Parla inglese? – Do you speak English?
- Non capisco. – I don’t understand.
- Può ripetere, per favore? – Can you repeat, please?
- Dov’è la stazione? – Where is the station?
- È lontano? – Is it far?
In a Restaurant or Bar
- Vorrei... – I would like...
- Il menù, per favore. – The menu, please.
- Un caffè, per favore. – A coffee, please.
- Il conto, per favore. – The bill, please.
- Acqua naturale – Still water
- Acqua frizzante – Sparkling water
Restaurant Example:
Buongiorno, vorrei una pizza margherita e un’acqua naturale, per favore. – Good morning, I would like a margherita pizza and a still water, please.
6. Core Verbs for Everyday Use
A few common verbs allow you to build many useful sentences.
Important Verbs (Infinitive Form)
- Essere – To be
- Avere – To have
- Fare – To do / To make
- Andare – To go
- Volere – To want
- Potere – Can / To be able to
- Dovere – Must / To have to
- Mangiare – To eat
- Bere – To drink
Very Common Short Sentences
Io sono studente. – I am a student.
Ho fame. – I am hungry. (literally: I have hunger.)
Devo andare. – I have to go.
Voglio mangiare. – I want to eat.
Posso sedermi qui? – Can I sit here?
7. Everyday Nouns and Adjectives
Combine simple nouns and adjectives with verbs to express a lot with little vocabulary.
Useful Nouns
- La casa – House / Home
- La camera – Room
- La strada – Street
- Il treno – Train
- L’autobus – Bus
- Il ristorante – Restaurant
- Il bar – Café / Bar
- Il supermercato – Supermarket
- Il bagno – Bathroom
Common Adjectives
- Bello / Bella – Beautiful / Nice
- Buono / Buona – Good / Tasty
- Grande – Big
- Piccolo / Piccola – Small
- Facile – Easy
- Difficile – Difficult
- Vicino – Near
- Lontano – Far
Example Sentences with Nouns and Adjectives
La città è molto bella. – The city is very beautiful.
Questo ristorante è buono. – This restaurant is good.
La stazione è vicina. – The station is near.
8. Simple Conversation Starters
Use these to start or continue small talk in Italian.
- Come va? – How’s it going?
- Tutto bene. – All good.
- Che fai? – What are you doing? (informal)
- Che lavoro fai? – What do you do for work?
- Ti piace l’Italia? – Do you like Italy?
- Mi piace molto. – I like it a lot.
Mini Dialogue Example:
A: Ciao, come va? – Hi, how’s it going?
B: Bene, grazie. E tu? – Fine, thanks. And you?
A: Tutto bene. Ti piace l’Italia? – All good. Do you like Italy?
B: Sì, mi piace molto! – Yes, I like it a lot!
9. Study Tips for These Essential Words
To remember this vocabulary, try these strategies:
- Group words by situation – For example, make one list for the restaurant, one for travel, and one for introductions.
- Practice mini‑dialogues – Combine phrases like Mi chiamo..., Piacere, and Di dove sei? (Where are you from?).
- Use them every day – Even when you are alone, say simple sentences out loud: Ho fame, Devo andare, È bello.
With these essential Italian words and phrases, you can already introduce yourself, ask basic questions, and manage common travel situations. Repeat them often, listen to native speakers, and gradually add more vocabulary to build your confidence in Italian.
