26 essential Italian survival phrases with pronunciation guides.
Click listen to hear each phrase with native-quality pronunciation.
A coffee, please
Lit. "A coffee, for favor"
A1neutralexpression
Buongiorno, un caffè, per favore. — Good morning, a coffee, please.
The check/bill, please
Lit. "The account, for favor"
A1neutralexpression
Scusi, il conto, per favore. — Excuse me, the bill, please.
Where is the bathroom?
Lit. "Where is the bathroom?"
A1neutralquestion-phrase
Scusi, dov'è il bagno? — Excuse me, where is the bathroom?
I'm lost
Lit. "I have lost myself"
A1neutralexpression
Scusi, mi sono perso. Può aiutarmi? — Excuse me, I'm lost. Can you help me?
Call an ambulance!
Lit. "Call an ambulance!"
A1neutralexclamation
Aiuto! Chiami un'ambulanza, per favore! — Help! Call an ambulance, please!
I need a doctor
Lit. "I have need of a doctor"
A1neutralexpression
Sto male. Ho bisogno di un medico. — I feel sick. I need a doctor.
What time does the train leave?
Lit. "At what hour leaves the train?"
A1neutralquestion-phrase
Scusi, a che ora parte il treno per Roma? — Excuse me, what time does the train to Rome leave?
I would like to book a table
Lit. "I would like to reserve a table"
A2formalexpression
Buonasera, vorrei prenotare un tavolo per due per stasera. — Good evening, I'd like to book a table for two for tonight.
I'm allergic to…
Lit. "I am allergic to…"
A2neutralexpression
Attenzione, sono allergico alle noci. — Be careful, I'm allergic to nuts.
How much does it cost?
Lit. "How much costs?"
A1neutralquestion-phrase
Questo è molto bello. Quanto costa? — This is very nice. How much does it cost?
Can I get the receipt?
Lit. "You make me the receipt?"
A2neutralquestion-phrase
Mi fa lo scontrino, per cortesia? — Can you give me the receipt, please?
Can I pay by card?
Lit. "Can I pay with the card?"
A1neutralquestion-phrase
Posso pagare con la carta o solo contanti? — Can I pay by card or only cash?
Excuse me (formal)
Lit. "Me excuse"
A1formalexpression
Mi scusi, sa dirmi dov'è la stazione? — Excuse me, can you tell me where the station is?
I'd like a glass of water
Lit. "I would like a glass of water"
A1neutralexpression
Vorrei un bicchiere d'acqua naturale, grazie. — I'd like a glass of still water, thanks.
Can you repeat, please?
Lit. "Can you repeat, for favor?"
A1formalquestion-phrase
Non ho capito. Può ripetere, per favore? — I didn't understand. Can you repeat, please?
I don't speak Italian well
Lit. "Not I speak well the Italian"
A1neutralexpression
Mi scusi, non parlo bene l'italiano. Parla inglese? — Excuse me, I don't speak Italian well. Do you speak English?
A table for two, please
Lit. "A table for two, for favor"
A1neutralexpression
Buonasera, un tavolo per due, per favore. Dentro, se possibile. — Good evening, a table for two, please. Inside, if possible.
Where is the bus stop?
Lit. "Where is the stop of the bus?"
A1neutralquestion-phrase
Scusi, dov'è la fermata dell'autobus per il centro? — Excuse me, where's the bus stop for the city center?
Help!
Lit. "Help!"
A1neutralexclamation
Aiuto! Al ladro! — Help! Thief!
It hurts here
Lit. "To me it makes pain here"
A2neutralexpression
Dottore, mi fa male qui, nella pancia. — Doctor, it hurts here, in my stomach.
What do you recommend?
Lit. "What thing to me you advise?"
A2formalquestion-phrase
Non conosco bene il menu. Che cosa mi consiglia? — I don't know the menu well. What do you recommend?
Do you have a menu in English?
Lit. "Have you a menu in English?"
A1neutralquestion-phrase
Scusate, avete un menu in inglese? — Sorry, do you have a menu in English?
I need to go to…
Lit. "I must go to…"
A1neutralexpression
Scusi, devo andare a Piazza Navona. Che autobus prendo? — Excuse me, I need to go to Piazza Navona. Which bus do I take?
A one-way ticket
Lit. "A ticket of only going"
A2neutralexpression
Un biglietto di sola andata per Firenze, per favore. — A one-way ticket to Florence, please.
I want to report a theft
Lit. "I want to denounce a theft"
B1formalexpression
Buongiorno, voglio denunciare un furto. Mi hanno rubato il portafoglio. — Hello, I want to report a theft. Someone stole my wallet.
Which platform?
Lit. "At which track?"
A1neutralquestion-phrase
Il treno per Milano, a che binario parte? — The train to Milan, which platform does it leave from?