69 phrases · 133 replies · audio for every line
Italian phrases for travel, and what you’ll hear back
Most phrasebooks stop after your half of the sentence. This one gives you the reply too: what the barista, the waiter and the ticket clerk actually say back. Hear every line in a female or male voice, slowly or at full speed, and print the whole list for the trip.
Basic Italian phrases and greetings
Italians greet before they ask for anything, so start with buongiorno in shops, bars and offices, and switch to buonasera from mid-afternoon. Ciao is only for friends and people your own age in casual settings.
Buongiorno!
Good morning! / Hello!
Say it every time you walk into a shop or bar; walking in silently comes across as rude.
You may hear
Buongiorno, mi dica.
Hello, what can I do for you?
Salve!
Hello! (a neutral greeting you'll hear at any hour)
Grazie mille!
Thank you very much!
You may hear
Prego.
You're welcome.
Si figuri.
Not at all.
Permesso!
Excuse me, coming through!
Use permesso to get past people on a crowded bus or in a doorway; scusi is for getting someone's attention.
You may hear
Prego.
Go ahead.
Mi scusi!
Sorry!
You may hear
Niente, niente.
It's nothing.
Non si preoccupi.
Don't worry about it.
Scusi, non ho capito.
Sorry, I didn't understand.
You may hear
Glielo ripeto.
I'll say it again.
Ha capito adesso?
Do you understand now?
Parla inglese?
Do you speak English?
You may hear
Un pochino.
A little bit.
No, mi dispiace.
No, I'm sorry.
Può parlare più piano, per favore?
Could you speak more slowly, please?
You may hear
Sì, certo, scusi.
Yes, of course, sorry.
Scusi, dov'è il bagno?
Excuse me, where's the toilet?
Bar toilets are usually for customers, so buy a coffee first and then ask.
You may hear
In fondo a destra.
At the back, on the right.
È riservato ai clienti.
It's for customers only.
Arrivederci, buona giornata!
Goodbye, have a nice day!
You may hear
Altrettanto!
You too!
Grazie, anche a Lei!
Thanks, same to you!
Ordering coffee at an Italian bar
An Italian bar is where you have coffee, usually standing at the counter and done in a couple of minutes. In busy bars and stations you pay at the till first, then order at the counter.
Un caffè, per favore.
An espresso, please.
Caffè means an espresso. For a longer, weaker coffee ask for un caffè americano.
You may hear
Altro?
Anything else?
Ha lo scontrino?
Have you got your receipt?
Un cappuccino e un cornetto, per favore.
A cappuccino and a croissant, please.
Standing at the counter (al banco) costs less than sitting at a table, where you are served and pay more.
You may hear
Vuoto, alla crema o alla marmellata?
Plain, custard or jam?
Al banco o al tavolo?
At the counter or at a table?
Quant'è?
How much is it?
Where there is a till (cassa), pay there first and hand the receipt to the barista with your order.
You may hear
Un euro e venti.
One euro twenty.
Contanti o carta?
Cash or card?
Un bicchiere d'acqua, per favore.
A glass of water, please.
You may hear
Naturale o frizzante?
Still or sparkling?
Un caffellatte, per favore.
A latte, please.
Ask for just un latte and you will get a glass of plain milk.
You may hear
In tazza o nel bicchiere?
In a cup or a glass?
Possiamo sederci qui?
Can we sit here?
You may hear
Sì, prego, arrivo subito.
Yes, please do, I'll be right with you.
È prenotato.
It's reserved.
Due spritz, per favore.
Two spritzes, please.
You may hear
Aperol o Campari?
Aperol or Campari?
Ve li porto al tavolo.
I'll bring them to your table.
Italian phrases for the restaurant
Wait at the door to be seated rather than picking a table yourself. Meals are unhurried, and the bill only comes when you ask for it.
Buonasera, avete un tavolo per due?
Good evening, do you have a table for two?
You may hear
Avete prenotato?
Have you booked?
Dentro o fuori?
Inside or outside?
Cosa ci consiglia?
What do you recommend?
You may hear
Oggi c'è il branzino, è freschissimo.
Today there's sea bass, it's very fresh.
I piatti del giorno sono sulla lavagna.
Today's specials are on the board.
Per me gli spaghetti alle vongole.
I'll have the spaghetti with clams.
You do not have to order every course; a primo or a secondo on its own is normal.
You may hear
E da bere?
And to drink?
Come secondo?
And for your main course?
Non mangio carne.
I don't eat meat.
Check dishes that sound meat-free: sauces, soups and broths are often made with meat, pancetta or anchovies.
You may hear
Neanche il pesce?
Not fish either?
C'è la pancetta, gliela tolgo?
It has pancetta in it, shall I leave it out?
Avete qualcosa senza glutine?
Do you have anything gluten-free?
You may hear
Sì, possiamo fare la pasta senza glutine.
Yes, we can do gluten-free pasta.
Chiedo in cucina.
I'll ask in the kitchen.
Si può avere dell'acqua del rubinetto?
Could we have some tap water?
You may hear
Abbiamo solo acqua in bottiglia.
We only have bottled water.
Sì, vi porto una caraffa.
Yes, I'll bring you a jug.
Scusi!
Excuse me!
Scusi is the polite Lei form for staff; with a raised hand it is how you call a waiter over, since they will not keep checking on you.
You may hear
Prego?
Yes, what can I get you?
Arrivo!
Coming!
Il conto, per favore.
Could we have the bill, please?
The coperto on the bill is a per-person cover charge, not a tip; tipping on top is optional.
You may hear
Insieme o separati?
Together or separately?
Si paga alla cassa.
You pay at the till.
Il servizio è compreso?
Is service included?
You may hear
Sì, è già nel conto.
Yes, it's already on the bill.
No, lasci quello che vuole.
No, leave whatever you like.
Train tickets and platforms
Tickets are sold at the station ticket office (biglietteria) and at machines. Regional trains are cheap and need no booking; fast trains are booked for a specific departure.
Un biglietto per Firenze, per favore.
A ticket to Florence, please.
Boards and tickets use the Italian city names: Firenze, Venezia, Napoli, Milano.
You may hear
Andata e ritorno?
Return?
Lo deve convalidare prima di salire.
You need to validate it before you get on.
Scusi, da che binario parte il treno per Roma?
Excuse me, which platform does the Rome train leave from?
You may hear
Dal binario tre.
From platform three.
Guardi il tabellone.
Check the departures board.
Questo treno ferma a Orvieto?
Does this train stop at Orvieto?
You may hear
Sì, è la seconda fermata.
Yes, it's the second stop.
No, deve cambiare.
No, you have to change.
Dove si convalida il biglietto?
Where do I validate the ticket?
Paper regional tickets must be stamped in the small machines near the platforms before you board, or you can be fined on the train.
You may hear
Nelle macchinette vicino ai binari.
In the little machines by the platforms.
Il treno è in ritardo?
Is the train late?
You may hear
Sì, di venti minuti.
Yes, by twenty minutes.
È stato soppresso.
It's been cancelled.
Scusi, questo è il mio posto.
Excuse me, this is my seat.
You may hear
Sicuro? Questa è la carrozza sei.
Are you sure? This is coach six.
Ah, mi scusi, mi sposto.
Oh, sorry, I'll move.
Oggi c'è sciopero?
Is there a strike today?
Strikes are announced days ahead on the Trenitalia and Italo sites, and a list of guaranteed trains still runs, so check before you travel.
You may hear
Sì, fino alle nove di stasera.
Yes, until nine this evening.
Partono solo i treni garantiti.
Only the guaranteed trains are running.
Buses, metro, taxis and directions
City buses, trams and metros run on timed tickets you buy before you board, at a tabaccheria (look for the T sign), a newsstand or a machine. Validate your ticket as soon as you get on, because inspectors fine on the spot.
Dove posso comprare il biglietto dell'autobus?
Where can I buy a bus ticket?
You may hear
Dal tabaccaio, lì all'angolo.
At the tobacconist's, on the corner there.
Può pagare con la carta a bordo.
You can pay by card on board.
Per quanto tempo vale il biglietto?
How long is the ticket valid for?
You may hear
Cento minuti dalla convalida.
A hundred minutes from when you validate it.
Vale per una sola corsa in metro.
It's valid for one metro ride only.
Scusi, che autobus devo prendere per il centro?
Excuse me, which bus do I take to the centre?
You may hear
Il sessantaquattro, dall'altra parte della strada.
The 64, from the other side of the road.
Fa prima a piedi.
You'd be quicker walking.
Mi dice quando devo scendere?
Could you tell me when to get off?
You may hear
Sì, glielo dico io.
Yes, I'll tell you.
Alla prossima.
At the next stop.
Scusi, per andare in Piazza Navona?
Excuse me, how do I get to Piazza Navona?
You may hear
Sempre dritto, poi la seconda a sinistra.
Straight on, then the second left.
Vede quella chiesa? Lì giri a destra.
See that church? Turn right there.
È lontano a piedi?
Is it far to walk?
You may hear
Saranno dieci minuti.
About ten minutes.
No, è qui dietro.
No, it's just around the corner.
Quanto costa fino all'aeroporto?
How much is it to the airport?
Take a white taxi from the official rank; drivers who approach you in the arrivals hall or the station are unlicensed.
You may hear
Cinquanta euro, tariffa fissa.
Fifty euros, fixed fare.
Dipende dal traffico.
It depends on the traffic.
Italian phrases for the hotel
Hotels ask for every guest's passport or ID card at check-in, because they have to register you with the police. Most cities also charge a small tourist tax per person per night, often paid at the desk rather than online.
Buonasera, ho una prenotazione a nome Smith.
Good evening, I have a booking under the name Smith.
You may hear
Mi dà un documento, per favore?
Could I have some ID, please?
C'è da pagare la tassa di soggiorno.
There's the tourist tax to pay.
A che ora è la colazione?
What time is breakfast?
You may hear
Dalle sette e mezza alle dieci.
From half past seven to ten.
La colazione non è compresa.
Breakfast isn't included.
Qual è la password del wifi?
What's the wifi password?
You may hear
È scritta sul cartoncino della chiave.
It's written on the key card holder.
Gliela scrivo.
I'll write it down for you.
Possiamo lasciare le valigie qui fino alle cinque?
Can we leave our bags here until five?
You may hear
Sì, le lasci pure lì.
Yes, just leave them there.
Ecco il tagliando.
Here's your ticket.
Ci potrebbe portare degli asciugamani puliti?
Could you bring us some clean towels?
You may hear
Che numero di camera?
What's your room number?
Glieli faccio portare in camera.
I'll have them brought up to your room.
L'aria condizionata non funziona.
The air conditioning isn't working.
In many hotels the air conditioning only runs with the key card in the slot by the door and the windows shut.
You may hear
Ha messo la chiave nella fessura?
Did you put the key card in the slot?
Mando subito qualcuno.
I'll send someone right away.
A che ora dobbiamo lasciare la camera?
What time do we have to check out?
You may hear
Entro le undici.
By eleven.
Se vuole, può tenerla fino a mezzogiorno.
If you like, you can keep it until noon.
Shopping and paying
In small shops the owner will greet you as you come in and expects a greeting back. At market stalls, don't handle the fruit and vegetables yourself: say what you want and the seller picks it for you.
Sto solo guardando, grazie.
I'm just looking, thanks.
You may hear
Faccia pure.
Go ahead.
Se le serve qualcosa, mi chiami.
If you need anything, just call me.
Posso provarlo?
Can I try it on?
You may hear
Che taglia porta?
What size are you?
I camerini sono in fondo.
The fitting rooms are at the back.
Ce l'ha in una taglia più grande?
Do you have it in a bigger size?
You may hear
Guardo in magazzino.
I'll check in the stockroom.
È l'ultimo rimasto.
That's the last one.
È un po' troppo caro. Mi fa uno sconto?
It's a bit too expensive. Can you give me a discount?
Haggling is normal at markets and on bigger purchases, not in ordinary shops.
You may hear
Il prezzo è fisso.
The price is fixed.
Se ne prende due, sì.
If you take two, yes.
Posso pagare con la carta?
Can I pay by card?
You may hear
Sì, appoggi pure.
Yes, just tap it.
Il POS non funziona.
The card machine isn't working.
Mi dà lo scontrino, per favore?
Could I have the receipt, please?
You may hear
Glielo metto nella busta.
I'll put it in the bag.
Le serve una busta?
Do you need a bag?
Mezzo chilo di pomodori, per favore.
Half a kilo of tomatoes, please.
You may hear
Glieli scelgo io.
I'll pick them for you.
Qualcos'altro?
Anything else?
Un etto di prosciutto crudo, per favore.
A hundred grams of prosciutto, please.
Un etto is 100 grams; delis and market stalls weigh cheese and cold cuts in etti.
You may hear
Sono un po' di più, lascio?
It's a bit over, is that all right?
Tagliato fine?
Sliced thin?
Museums and sightseeing
Book timed tickets online for the big museums and sites, and expect a bag check at the door. Churches are places of worship, so cover your shoulders and knees or you may be turned away.
Due biglietti, per favore.
Two tickets, please.
You may hear
Interi o ridotti?
Full price or reduced?
Avete prenotato online?
Have you booked online?
Ci sono riduzioni per studenti?
Are there discounts for students?
At state museums, under-18s get in free and EU citizens aged 18 to 25 pay a reduced price, so carry ID.
You may hear
Solo per i cittadini europei.
Only for EU citizens.
Ha un documento?
Have you got ID?
A che ora chiude il museo?
What time does the museum close?
You may hear
Alle sette, ma l'ultimo ingresso è alle sei.
At seven, but last entry is at six.
Il lunedì è chiuso.
It's closed on Mondays.
È questa la fila per i biglietti?
Is this the queue for tickets?
You may hear
No, questa è per chi ha già il biglietto.
No, this one's for people who already have tickets.
Sì, ma c'è almeno un'ora di attesa.
Yes, but it's at least an hour's wait.
Scusi, dov'è l'ingresso?
Excuse me, where's the entrance?
You may hear
Dall'altra parte, dietro l'angolo.
On the other side, round the corner.
Di qua è solo l'uscita.
This way is only the exit.
Si possono fare foto?
Can we take photos?
You may hear
Sì, ma senza flash.
Yes, but no flash.
No, qui è vietato.
No, it's not allowed in here.
C'è un'audioguida in inglese?
Is there an audio guide in English?
You may hear
Sì, sono cinque euro.
Yes, it's five euros.
Mi lascia un documento?
Could you leave some ID with me?
Pharmacy, doctor and emergencies
Pharmacies have a green cross sign, and the pharmacist can advise on minor problems and sell many medicines without a prescription. For an emergency, call 112 from any phone.
Scusi, c'è una farmacia qui vicino?
Excuse me, is there a pharmacy near here?
At night and on Sundays, a rota of duty pharmacies (farmacie di turno) stays open, and every pharmacy door lists them.
You may hear
Sì, in fondo alla strada.
Yes, at the end of the street.
A quest'ora è aperta solo quella di turno.
At this time only the duty pharmacy is open.
Ho mal di testa. Mi può dare qualcosa?
I have a headache. Can you give me something for it?
You may hear
È allergico a qualche farmaco?
Are you allergic to any medicines?
Ne prenda una ogni otto ore.
Take one every eight hours.
Mio figlio ha la febbre.
My son has a temperature.
You may hear
Quanto ha di febbre?
How high is his temperature?
Quanti anni ha?
How old is he?
Ho un'allergia alla penicillina.
I'm allergic to penicillin.
You may hear
Prende altri farmaci?
Are you taking any other medicines?
Ha altre allergie?
Do you have any other allergies?
Ho bisogno di un medico.
I need a doctor.
You may hear
È urgente?
Is it urgent?
Vada al pronto soccorso.
Go to A&E.
Chiami un'ambulanza, presto!
Call an ambulance, quick!
You may hear
Cos'è successo?
What happened?
Sta arrivando.
It's on its way.
Ho perso il passaporto.
I've lost my passport.
Get the police report (denuncia) first; your embassy or consulate needs it to issue an emergency travel document.
You may hear
Deve fare la denuncia.
You need to report it to the police.
Poi vada al Suo consolato.
Then go to your consulate.
Mi hanno rubato il portafoglio.
My wallet has been stolen.
You may hear
Dov'è successo?
Where did it happen?
Vada dai carabinieri a fare la denuncia.
Go to the carabinieri and report it.
Questions travellers ask
What are the most useful Italian phrases for travel?
Five get you through most of a trip: buongiorno (good morning), per favore (please), grazie (thank you), scusi (excuse me) and il conto, per favore (the bill, please). This page takes you further: the bar, the restaurant, the station, the hotel and the pharmacy, with the replies you will get.
Do I need to speak Italian to travel in Italy?
No. In cities and wherever tourists go, plenty of people speak some English. But a few words of Italian change how you are treated, and away from the big sights the answer comes back in Italian. That is why every phrase here comes with its likely replies.
Should I use Lei or tu?
Use Lei, the polite form, with anyone serving you: waiters, shop staff, ticket clerks, hotel reception. Tu is for friends, children and people your own age who use it with you first. Every phrase on this page uses Lei.
How do I get the pronunciation right?
Italian is read almost exactly as it is written, so listening is the quickest teacher. Play a line slowly, then at normal speed, and say it aloud with the voice. Stress usually falls on the second-to-last syllable, and an accent on the final vowel (caffè, città) moves it to the end.
Can I download these phrases?
Yes. The printable PDF has every phrase and reply on a few pages, with a code beside each section that opens its audio here. It is free and asks for nothing, not even an email address.
Before you go
Replies are where a phrasebook runs out. The words that come back most often are the most common words in the language, and the 1,000 most common Italian words are free to download. The vocabulary test tells you how many you already know.
The phrases were drafted with AI, and the voices are synthetic. The audio is free for personal study; please do not use it to train AI or speech models.