How do you say “Hello” in Italian?
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Ciao!
„Ciao“ works as both „hi“ and „bye“: but only informally.
💡 Did you know? „Ciao“ comes from the Venetian s-ciào („[your] slave“): once a servile greeting, now casual worldwide.
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How do you say “Good morning” in Italian?
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Buongiorno.
„Buongiorno“ is the polite daytime greeting: unlike „ciao“, also suitable for strangers.
💡 Did you know? From late afternoon one switches to „buonasera“: good evening.
How do you say “Good evening / Good night” in Italian?
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Buonasera. / Buonanotte.
„Buonasera“ greets in the evening, „buonanotte“ is said only before bed.
💡 Did you know? As in Spanish and French, „good night“ is not a general evening greeting but for going to bed.
How do you say “Goodbye” in Italian?
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Arrivederci!
„Arrivederci“ is the polite farewell: literally „until we see each other again“.
💡 Did you know? Very formally one says „arrivederLa“, to a single respected person.
How do you say “See you later” in Italian?
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A più tardi.
„A più tardi“ means „see you later“.
💡 Did you know? Short and casual is „a dopo“ too: „see you later“.
How do you say “Please” in Italian?
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Per favore.
„Per favore“ is the polite „please“ when asking.
💡 Did you know? Equally common is „per piacere“: literally „for pleasure/favour“.
How do you say “Thank you” in Italian?
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Grazie.
„Grazie“ is the universal „thank you“.
💡 Did you know? If someone replies „grazie a te“, it means „thank YOU“: returning the thanks.
How do you say “Thank you very much” in Italian?
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Grazie mille.
„Grazie mille“ (literally „a thousand thanks“) strengthens the gratitude.
💡 Did you know? „Mille grazie“ works too: the order hardly matters.
How do you say “You're welcome” in Italian?
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Prego.
„Prego“ is the reply to „grazie“ and a true all-purpose word.
💡 Did you know? Depending on the situation, „prego“ means „here you go“, „you're welcome“, „after you“ or „pardon?“.
How do you say “Yes / No” in Italian?
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Sì / No.
„Sì“ (with an accent) means yes, „no“ means no.
💡 Did you know? The poet Dante once called Italian „la lingua del sì“: the language of yes.
How do you say “Excuse me / Sorry” in Italian?
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Scusa. (formal: Mi scusi.)
„Scusa“ is the familiar, „mi scusi“ the polite apology.
💡 Did you know? „Permesso“, by contrast, asks permission, for instance when entering a room.
How do you say “How much is it?” in Italian?
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Quanto costa?
„Quanto costa?“ asks the price.
💡 Did you know? For several items one asks „quanto costano?“: the verb agrees with the plural.
How do you say “By card, please” in Italian?
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Con la carta, per favore.
„Con la carta, per favore“ indicates you want to pay by card.
💡 Did you know? In small bars and cafés cash is often still used: it's worth checking for card stickers.
How do you say “The bill, please” in Italian?
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Il conto, per favore.
„Il conto, per favore“ asks for the bill.
💡 Did you know? In Italy the bill often shows „coperto“: a small cover charge per person.
How do you say “Where is the toilet?” in Italian?
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Dov'è il bagno?
„Dov'è il bagno?“ asks for the toilet.
💡 Did you know? „Bagno“ literally means „bath“: in public places the door often reads „toilette“ or „servizi“.
How do you say “I don't understand” in Italian?
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Non capisco.
„Non capisco“ means „I don't understand“.
💡 Did you know? Useful is „può ripetere?“: „Can you repeat that?“
How do you say “Do you speak English?” in Italian?
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Parla inglese?
„Parla inglese?“ politely asks whether someone speaks English.
💡 Did you know? In tourist areas English usually works well: off the beaten track a few words of Italian are much appreciated.
How do you say “A beer, please” in Italian?
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Una birra, per favore.
„Una birra, per favore“ orders a beer: „alla spina“ means draught.
💡 Did you know? A small beer is „una piccola“, a large one „una media“ or „grande“.
How do you say “Cheers!” in Italian?
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Salute!
„Salute!“ means „health“ and is the classic toast.
💡 Did you know? Casually one also says „cin cin“ when clinking: imitating the sound of the glasses.
How do you say “Help!” in Italian?
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Aiuto!
„Aiuto!“ is the cry for help in an emergency.
💡 Did you know? The Europe-wide emergency number 112 applies in Italy too.
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