50 Italian Words & Phrases to Know Before Visiting Italy

One of the most asked questions I get from travelers and clients en route to Italy is whether they’ll be able to get by if they don’t speak Italian? The short answer to this is yes, so don’t let your lack of knowledge of the Italian language stop you from exploring all that Italy has to offer. Also, now that we live in an era of Google Translate, there is really no excuse for allowing anxieties of not speaking a foreign language inhibit your travel dreams.

In more popular cities, like Rome, Venice, and Florence, getting by on English alone is doable, but not recommended. Like most non-English speaking countries that you visit, making an effort to speak the language is greatly appreciated. Travel should be a culturally immersive experience, and language plays a major role in this. If you’re planning on visiting less popular towns and regions in Italy like Puglia, Calabria, or other countryside escapes, packing an English-Italian dictionary or downloading an app is not necessarily a bad idea.

The key is to not stress too much over it. Have fun with speaking and learning Italian as a part of the cultural experience. Italians are more than warm and welcoming and will be nothing but appreciative of your efforts to immerse and engage. In return, I can guarantee that utilizing even a few of these Italian words and phrases will result in a much more immersive and local Italian travel experience.

Italian Words to Know

1. Ciao – Hello/Goodbye
2. Salve – Hello (formal)
3. Sì – Yes
4. No – No
5. Grazie – Thank you
6. Per favore – Please
7. Grazie mille – Thank you so much
8. Prego – You’re welcome
9. Buongiorno – Good day/morning
10. Buonasera – Good evening
11. Buonanotte – Goodnight (used when you’re actually going to bed)
12. Salute!/ Cin cin! – Cheers!
13. Bello (masculine); Bella (feminine) – Beautiful
14. Buono (masculine); Buona (feminine) – Good
15. Bene – Well
16. Amico (masculine); Amica (feminine) – Friend
17. Il conto – The check/bill
18. Via/Strada – Street
19. Vino – Wine
20. Birra – Beer
21. Aperitivo – Pre-dinner drinks & snacks (Italian version of happy hour)
22. Stazione – Train station
23. Treno – Train
24. Binario – Train platform
25. Autobus – Bus
26. Fermata – Stop (bus/train)
27. Bagagli – Luggage
28. Biglietto – Ticket
29. Spiaggia/Lido – Beach
30. Ristorante – Restaurant
31. Bagno – Bathroom
32. Albergo – Hotel

Italian Phrases to Know

1. Come ti chiami? – What’s your name?
2. Mi chiamo… – My name is …
3. Va bene – OK
4. Permesso – Excuse me (when passing through a crowd or on transportation)
5. Scusa – Excuse me
6. Mi dispiace – I’m sorry
7. Come stai? – How are you?
8. Come va? – How’s it going?
9. Tutto bene – All is well
10. Non lo so – I don’t know
11. Dov’è il bagno? – Where is the bathroom?
12. Parli Inglese? – Do you speak English?
13. Non parlo Italiano – I don’t speak Italian
14. Quanto costa? – How much does it cost?
15. Sono di … – I am from …
16. Mi piace … – I like …
17. Non mi piace … – I don’t like …
18. Andiamo – Let’s go

BONUS: Dolce di far niente – The sweet art of doing nothing