Before heading to Italy, there is no need to have mastered the grammar inside out. Knowing a few everyday expressions, however, makes a real difference. These are the ones you will hear at the café, at the market, in the street, and that will help you feel a little less like a tourist.
This guide presents twenty of them, with their exact meaning and the situations in which to use them.
1. Ciao
This word is without doubt the most famous in the Italian language. It works for both greetings and farewells. Its origin is curious. It comes from the Venetian dialect «s-ciào vostro», meaning «I am your slave» or «at your service». Today, that connotation has long disappeared. It is the ultimate marker of informality.
Using Ciao does require a degree of care. It is reserved for friends, family and people of the same age. Using it with an older stranger, a teacher or in an official setting can come across as disrespectful. Other expressions exist for those situations. It is the first step towards relaxed communication.
Examples:
- Ciao Marco, come stai? (Hey Marco, how are you?)
- Devo andare, ciao! (I have to go, bye!)
- Ciao a tutti. (Hi everyone.)
Usage: Strictly informal (friends, family, children).
Key point: Avoid it in a first professional encounter.
2. Buongiorno / Buonasera
These greetings are the standard of politeness in Italy. Buongiorno is used in the morning and for a good part of the day. It is the all-purpose term for walking into a shop, greeting a bus driver or passing a neighbour. It immediately establishes a respectful and courteous distance.
The switch to Buonasera (good evening) generally happens after lunch, around 2 or 3pm, though this varies by region. When in doubt, in the afternoon, Buonasera is often preferred. For the night, just before sleep, Buonanotte is used. These are essential words for any successful social interaction.
Examples:
- Buongiorno, vorrei un chilo di mele. (Good morning, I would like a kilo of apples.)
- Buonasera dottore. (Good evening, doctor.)
- Buonanotte, a domani. (Good night, see you tomorrow.)
Usage: Formal and common. Suitable for all situations.
Key point: «Salve» is a neutral alternative, neither too formal nor too familiar.
3. Per favore / Per piacere
Politeness opens every door in Italy. Per favore is the direct equivalent of «please». Adding it to the end of a sentence changes how the request is perceived. It transforms an order into a courteous request. Italians are sensitive to forms of courtesy, especially in service settings (bars, restaurants, counters).
Per piacere is an equally common alternative. The two are interchangeable. Forgetting this formula can make the speaker come across as abrupt or rude. It is a reflex to develop from the very start of learning.
Examples:
- Un caffè, per favore. (A coffee, please.)
- Mi passi il sale, per piacere? (Could you pass me the salt, please?)
- Può aiutarmi, per favore? (Could you help me, please?)
- Usage: Systematic with any request.
- Key point: Can also be replaced by «per cortesia» in a very formal context.
4. Grazie (Mille)
Knowing how to say thank you is fundamental. Grazie is the universal word for expressing gratitude. A common mistake among English speakers is to drop the final vowel. In Italian, all vowels are pronounced. Saying «Grazi» is incorrect; the correct form is «Gra-tsi-e».
To amplify the thanks, Grazie mille (a thousand thanks) is used. It is the standard formula for showing sincere appreciation. There is also Ti ringrazio (I thank you, informal) or La ringrazio (I thank you, formal), which are more specific but always appreciated.
Examples:
- Ecco il tuo resto. – Grazie! (Here is your change. – Thank you!)
- Grazie mille per il regalo. (Thank you so much for the gift.)
- No, grazie. (No, thank you.)
- Usage: In response to any service or kindness.
- Key point: Never say «Grazie molto», use «Molte grazie» instead.
5. Prego
This is the Swiss Army knife of the Italian language. Prego has a multitude of meanings depending on context. Its main meaning is «you’re welcome» or «don’t mention it» in response to a thank you. But its usefulness goes much further. A waiter will say Prego? to mean «What can I get you?».
It is also used to invite someone in (Prego, entri pure), to give up one’s seat or let someone pass. If you do not understand something, a Prego? with a rising intonation means «Pardon? Could you repeat that?». It is an essential word for smooth exchanges.
Examples:
- Grazie! – Prego. (Thank you! – You’re welcome.)
- Prego, si accomodi. (Please, take a seat.)
- Prego? Non ho capito. (Sorry? I didn’t understand.)
- Usage: Response, invitation, request to repeat.
- Key point: When in doubt about the polite thing to say, «Prego» is often the right answer.
6. Scusa / Scusi
The art of apologising or attracting attention requires distinguishing between informal and formal address. Scusa is used with a friend or someone you address informally. Scusi is the polite form essential for addressing a stranger in the street, for example when asking for directions.
These words serve both to apologise (after bumping into someone) and to attract attention («Excuse me, sir…»). There is also Permesso, used specifically to ask to get through a crowd or before entering a room.
Examples:
- Scusa, sono in ritardo. (Sorry, I’m late – to a friend.)
- Scusi, sa dov’è la stazione? (Excuse me, do you know where the station is?)
- Scusa un attimo. (Excuse me for a moment.)
- Usage: Attracting attention and apologising.
- Key point: «Mi dispiace» expresses emotional regret, «Scusa» is an excuse for an action.
7. Come stai?
Asking how someone is doing is a ritual. Come stai? (How are you?) is used with people you know well. For a formal relationship, Come sta? (How are you?) is the right choice. A very common and more relaxed alternative is Come va? (How’s it going?), which works in almost any situation.
Classic responses are Bene, grazie (Fine, thanks) or Non c’è male (Not bad). Italians sometimes like to elaborate on how they are feeling, but in a quick greeting, a positive response is the norm.
Examples:
- Ciao Luigi, come stai? (Hey Luigi, how are you?)
- Buongiorno Signora, come sta? (Good morning Madam, how are you?)
- Tutto bene? (All good?)
- Usage: Start of a conversation.
- Key point: The question is often returned with «E tu?» (And you?) or «E Lei?» (And you? – formal).
8. Mi chiamo…
To introduce yourself, the construction uses the verb to call oneself (chiamarsi). Mi chiamo literally means «my name is». It is the standard phrase for a first meeting. You can also simply use the verb to be: Sono [First name].
After this introduction, it is customary to add Piacere (Pleased to meet you). This small word seals the introduction. In a professional context, the surname is often given after the first name.
Examples:
- Mi chiamo Alessandro. (My name is Alessandro.)
- Sono Giulia, piacere. (I’m Giulia, pleased to meet you.)
- Come ti chiami? (What’s your name?)
- Usage: Formal or informal introductions.
- Key point: «Piacere» can be used on its own just after shaking hands.
9. Mi piace
Expressing likes works differently from English. You do not say «I like pizza» (Io amo la pizza), but Mi piace la pizza (Pizza pleases me). The grammatical subject is the thing liked, not the person. If you like several things (plural), the expression becomes Mi piacciono.
This is a fundamental structure for talking about hobbies, food or opinions. To say «I love it», you can use Mi piace moltissimo or Adoro.
Examples:
- Mi piace la cucina italiana. (I like Italian food.)
- Non mi piace questo film. (I don’t like this film.)
- Mi piacciono gli spaghetti. (I like spaghetti.)
- Usage: Tastes, preferences, opinions.
- Key point: Agree the verb (piace/piacciono) with the thing that is liked.
10. Che bello!
Italian enthusiasm is often expressed through exclamations. Che bello! means «How beautiful!» or «How great!». It is used to admire a landscape, congratulate a friend on good news or appreciate an object. It is a very common positive expression.
It works with other adjectives too: Che buono! (How delicious!) for food, or Che carino! (How cute!). It shows active emotional engagement in the conversation.
Examples:
- Andiamo a Roma domani. – Che bello! (We’re going to Rome tomorrow. – How great!)
- Guarda questo vestito. – Che bello! (Look at this dress. – How beautiful!)
- Che bella giornata! (What a beautiful day!)
- Usage: Admiration, joy, validation.
- Key point: Showing emotion is culturally valued in Italy.
11. Che peccato!
On the opposite side of admiration sits disappointment. Che peccato! translates as «What a shame!». The word peccato literally means «sin», but in this context it simply expresses regret at a missed opportunity or a minor annoyance.
It is an empathetic way to react to a small piece of bad news shared by someone else.
Examples:
- Il museo è chiuso. – Che peccato! (The museum is closed. – What a shame!)
- Non posso venire alla festa. – Che peccato! (I can’t come to the party. – What a shame!)
- Peccato, era una buona opportunità. (Shame, it was a good opportunity.)
- Usage: Disappointment, empathy in the face of a small problem.
- Key point: Can be used for trivial things as much as more serious ones.
12. Mi dispiace
To express more personal regret or compassion, Mi dispiace is used. It means «I’m sorry» or «it displeases me». It is the expression to use when you cannot do someone a favour, when you hear sad news, or to apologise for an emotional misstep.
Unlike Scusa, which is often a quick excuse, Mi dispiace implies a genuine feeling of sadness.
Examples:
- Mi dispiace, non ho moneta. (I’m sorry, I don’t have any change.)
- Ho perso il lavoro. – Mi dispiace molto. (I lost my job. – I’m really sorry.)
- Mi dispiace di averti fatto aspettare. (I’m sorry for keeping you waiting.)
- Usage: Polite refusal, compassion, sincere apology.
- Key point: Essential for declining an invitation with tact.
13. Vorrei…
In restaurants or bars, the imperative is to be avoided. The polite conditional is used instead. Vorrei means «I would like». It is the standard way to place an order. It softens the request and shows good manners.
It can be used to order food, ask for information or express a wish.
Examples:
- Vorrei un cappuccino e un cornetto. (I would like a cappuccino and a croissant.)
- Vorrei prenotare un tavolo. (I would like to book a table.)
- Vorrei provare questa camicia. (I would like to try this shirt.)
- Usage: Orders and wishes.
- Key point: More elegant than «Voglio» (I want), which sounds like a child’s demand.
14. Il conto, per favore
Paying the bill requires a clear phrase. In Italy, the waiter does not bring the bill automatically; you have to ask for it. Il conto, per favore is the standard formula.
It is worth knowing that a cover charge (coperto) is often included or explicitly added to the bill.
Examples:
- Cameriere, il conto per favore. (Waiter, the bill please.)
- Possiamo avere il conto? (Could we have the bill?)
- Il conto è separato? (Are we paying separately?)
- Usage: End of a meal at a restaurant.
- Key point: The gesture of signing in the air is universally understood if the restaurant is noisy.
15. Quanto costa?
For shopping, visiting markets or buying tickets, the question of price is central. Quanto costa? (How much does it cost?) is used for a single item. If you are asking the price of several items (such as shoes), you say Quanto costano?.
This is often the start of a conversation that can lead to negotiation, especially at markets.
Examples:
- Quanto costa questa cartolina? (How much is this postcard?)
- Scusi, quanto costa il biglietto? (Excuse me, how much is the ticket?)
- Quanto viene? (How much is it? – informal)
- Usage: Shopping, asking for information.
- Key point: Brush up on your Italian numbers to understand the answer!
16. Tutto buonissimo
Complimenting the food is almost a moral obligation in Italy if the meal was good. Tutto buonissimo (Everything was delicious) always pleases the waiter or the cook. It is a superlative expression.
You can also say Complimenti al cuoco (Compliments to the chef) to be even more enthusiastic. It creates a warm connection with the staff.
Examples:
- Ti è piaciuta la pasta? – Sì, tutto buonissimo! (Did you enjoy the pasta? – Yes, everything was delicious!)
- Era buono? – Buonissimo, grazie. (Was it good? – Delicious, thank you.)
- Usage: End of a meal, compliment.
- Key point: Italians take food very seriously; the compliment matters.
17. Magari
Here is a word that cannot be translated by a single English term, yet it captures the Italian soul. Magari expresses desire, hope or regret that something is not real. It can mean «If only!», «I wish» or «Maybe».
If someone asks: «Did you win the lottery?», answering Magari! means «I wish! (but no)». It is the word of dreams and nostalgia for what could be.
Examples:
- Vieni al cinema stasera? – Magari! Devo lavorare. (Coming to the cinema tonight? – I wish! I have to work.)
- Magari pioverà domani. (Maybe it will rain tomorrow.)
- Hai una Ferrari? – Magari! (Do you have a Ferrari? – I wish!)
- Usage: Expressing an unrealisable wish or a strong desire.
- Key point: Using this word shows a fine understanding of the Italian mindset.
18. Boh
This small sound is more than a word; it is an institution. Boh means «I don’t know», «No idea» or «I don’t mind». It is often accompanied by a shrug and a pout. It is very informal.
Although not vulgar, it is familiar language. It is one of those sounds that feels more Italian than any textbook phrase.
Examples:
- A che ora arriva il treno? – Boh! (What time does the train arrive? – No idea!)
- Perché ha fatto questo? – Boh. (Why did he do that? – I don’t know.)
- Dove andiamo? – Boh. (Where are we going? – I don’t know / I don’t mind.)
- Usage: Total uncertainty. Informal.
- Key point: Very useful for avoiding a complex answer when you have no idea about the topic.
19. Allora
You will hear this word everywhere. Allora is a linking word that means «So», «Well» or «Right then». It is used to start a sentence, to buy time to think, or to wrap up a discussion. It is the lubricant of conversation.
It can express impatience (Allora? = So, are we going?) or simply introduce a story (Allora, c’era una volta… = Well, once upon a time…).
Examples:
- Allora, cosa facciamo? (So, what are we doing?)
- Allora, ci vediamo alle otto. (Right, so we’ll see each other at eight.)
- E allora? (So what?)
- Usage: Transition, filler, conclusion.
- Key point: Using it at the start of a sentence makes you sound like you are actually thinking in Italian.
20. Mamma mia!
Often seen as an international cliché, this expression is genuinely used by Italians. Mamma mia! expresses a strong emotion: surprise, fear, exasperation or admiration. It transcends generations and regions. It is one of the truly universal expressions of the Italian language.
Its use is spontaneous and instinctive. You say it in front of an exceptional dish, an unexpected bill, a massive traffic jam or a child causing mischief. It has no perfect translation: it is a pure exclamation, an expressive sigh dressed in words.
Examples:
- Mamma mia, che traffico! (Mamma mia, what traffic!)
- Mamma mia, è buonissimo! (Mamma mia, this is delicious!)
- Mamma mia, quanto costa! (Mamma mia, how expensive!)
- Usage: Surprise, admiration, exasperation, any strong emotion.
- Key point: Impossible to use it wrongly — Italians always smile when a foreigner says it with sincerity.
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