Survival Phrases
The exact phrases you need for real life abroad — with practice dialogues and audio, for every level.
Practice pronunciationGreetings & Socializing
Meeting people, small talk, and everyday politeness.
Greetings & Introductions
Use these phrases when meeting people for the first time, whether in casual situations with peers or polite professional environments.
Making Small Talk
Use these essential phrases to start a conversation, keep the chat going, and say goodbye naturally.
Saying Goodbye
Use these phrases to end a conversation, wish someone well, and take your leave naturally in Italian.
Thanking & Apologizing
Essential phrases for expressing gratitude, apologizing for small mistakes, and politely navigating around others.
Invitations & Making Plans
Learn how to naturally invite people out, accept or decline politely, and confirm your plans in Italian.
Congratulations & Celebrations
Use these phrases to congratulate friends on their successes, celebrate major milestones like weddings and new jobs, and make a friendly toast.
Talking About Family
These phrases will help you comfortably ask and answer questions about family members, marital status, and where everyone lives.
Saying No Politely
Use these phrases to gracefully decline invitations or offers, give simple reasons, and suggest alternatives without causing offense.
Eating & Drinking Out
Restaurants, cafés, bars, and ordering food.
Making a Restaurant Reservation
Use these phrases to call a restaurant, book a table, and handle questions when you arrive.
Ordering at a Restaurant
Essential Italian phrases for arriving at a restaurant, ordering a meal, and paying the bill without using complicated grammar.
Ordering Coffee at a Café
These phrases will help you confidently order coffee and pastries at an Italian bar like a local.
Allergies & Dietary Needs
Use these phrases to safely navigate restaurants in Italy and clearly communicate your dietary needs.
Paying & Splitting the Bill
Essential phrases for finishing your meal, asking for the bill, and paying in Italian.
Ordering Drinks at a Bar
Use these phrases when ordering drinks, buying rounds, and managing a tab at an Italian bar or cafe.
Takeaway & Delivery
These phrases will help you order food for takeaway or delivery, ask about times and fees, and sort out any missing items.
At a Fast-Food Counter
Use these phrases to confidently order your favorite fast-food meal without hesitating.
At the Bakery & Deli
Use these essential phrases to order bread, deli meats, and pastries naturally at an Italian bakery or deli.
Buying Street Food
Use these practical phrases to confidently order street food, ask about ingredients, and handle payment like a local.
Travel & Transport
Airports, trains, taxis, and getting around.
Checking in at the Airport
These everyday phrases will help you successfully navigate the airport check-in desk in Italian.
Going Through Security
These phrases will help you understand security officers and explain what you have in your bags at an Italian airport.
Customs & Immigration
Learn the essential Italian phrases you need to confidently answer questions at customs and passport control.
Buying Train Tickets
Use these practical phrases to buy tickets, find your platform, and handle train travel in Italy like a local.
Using Buses & the Metro
Use these practical phrases to navigate Italian public transport like a local, from buying your ticket to finding the right stop.
Taking a Taxi or Rideshare
Essential phrases for telling a taxi driver where you want to go, asking about the fare, giving simple directions, and paying at the end of your ride.
Asking for Directions
Use these phrases to ask for directions, understand the route you are given, and check you have the right details.
On the Plane
Use these phrases when travelling by plane — from boarding and finding your seat to asking the crew for help.
At the Tourist Office
Use these phrases when visiting a tourist information office to get maps, find out about sights, opening hours, tickets, and tours.
Hotels & Accommodation
Checking in, problems, and amenities.
Checking into a Hotel
Essential phrases for arriving at an Italian hotel, confirming your reservation details, and asking about basic amenities.
Asking About Hotel Amenities
Use these phrases when checking in or asking hotel staff about services during your stay.
Checking Out
Use these phrases when leaving a hotel — at the front desk, returning your key, and settling your bill.
Booking a Room
Essential Italian phrases for booking, changing, and asking about a hotel room.
Airbnb & Short-Term Rentals
Essential phrases for coordinating your arrival, understanding house rules, and communicating smoothly with your host during a short-term rental stay.
Staying at a Hostel
These everyday Italian phrases will help you check in, find your way around, and make new friends when staying at a hostel.
Extending Your Stay
Use these phrases when you need to extend your hotel stay, check room availability, ask about price changes, and organize a late checkout.
Shopping & Money
Stores, markets, prices, and paying.
Buying Clothes
These essential phrases will help you navigate clothing stores in Italy, from finding the right size and color to using the fitting rooms and making a purchase.
Groceries & the Market
Use these phrases when navigating Italian markets and supermarkets to ask for specific quantities, find fresh produce, and handle paying.
Prices & Bargaining
Use these phrases to navigate prices and negotiate politely at markets or small shops in Italy.
At the Supermarket Checkout
Essential phrases for navigating the checkout line, paying, and handling self-service registers at an Italian supermarket.
At the Electronics Store
Essential phrases for buying a computer or phone, comparing models, and checking compatibility in an electronics store.
Souvenirs & Gifts
Use these phrases when shopping for souvenirs, asking for recommendations, and getting gifts wrapped in Italy.
Asking if They Have It
Essential Italian phrases for checking sizes, colors, and stock availability while shopping.
Buying Shoes
Here are the essential phrases you need to ask for your size, try on shoes, and talk about the fit in an Italian shoe store.
Health & Pharmacy
Doctors, pharmacies, and describing symptoms.
At the Pharmacy
Use these phrases when visiting an Italian pharmacy to describe common symptoms, ask for over-the-counter remedies, and understand dosage instructions.
Making a Doctor Appointment
These essential phrases will help you call a clinic, register as a new patient, and secure a doctor's appointment even when it is urgent.
At the Hospital / ER
Essential phrases to help you register, explain your symptoms, and navigate an Italian hospital or emergency room.
At the Optician
Use these phrases to book an eye test, choose new frames, and order your glasses or contacts.
Getting a Test or Vaccine
Use these phrases to book a medical test or vaccine, describe your symptoms, and ask about side effects and certificates.
Banking & Daily Admin
Banks, post office, phone, and internet.
ATMs & Getting Cash
Essential phrases for finding an ATM, withdrawing cash, and getting help if the machine eats your card.
Exchanging Money
Use these phrases to navigate currency exchange offices, ask about rates and commissions, and specify the bills you need.
At the Post Office
Use these practical phrases to confidently send parcels, buy stamps, and ask about shipping details at an Italian post office.
Getting a Phone / SIM Card
Essential phrases to use when buying and setting up a prepaid mobile phone plan in Italy.
Getting a Library Card
Use these phrases to sign up for a library card, understand borrowing rules, and access the facilities.
Renting & Housing
Finding a place, utilities, and repairs.
Repairs & Maintenance
Use these phrases to report a broken appliance or maintenance issue to your landlord and schedule a repair.
Talking to Neighbors
Essential phrases for introducing yourself, handling parcel deliveries, and dealing with noise politely in an Italian apartment building.
Trash & Recycling Rules
Use these phrases to navigate local rules for taking out the trash and sorting recycling when renting in Italy.
Furnishing Your Place
Use these practical phrases to comfortably browse furniture, check dimensions, and arrange delivery in Italian home-goods stores.
Everyday Services
Hairdresser, laundry, gym, and appointments.
At the Hairdresser
Use these everyday phrases to explain exactly how you want your hair cut, styled, or colored at an Italian salon.
Laundry & Dry Cleaning
Use these phrases when you need to drop off clothes at a laundry or dry cleaner, point out stains, and ask about prices or pickup times.
Booking an Appointment
Use these practical phrases to schedule, change, or cancel appointments for everyday services like the doctor, hairdresser, or mechanic.
Phone & Device Repair
Use these phrases when you need to get your phone or tablet repaired, ask for quotes, and make sure your data is safe.
Tailor & Alterations
Use these phrases when you need to bring clothes to the tailor for basic alterations like hemming, taking in, or letting out.
Emergencies & Safety
Getting help fast when something goes wrong.
Calling Emergency Services
Essential phrases for calling 112 (the emergency number in Italy), reporting an incident, and following the dispatcher's instructions.
Asking for Help
Use these essential phrases to politely get attention, explain that you are lost, and navigate communication roadblocks like asking someone to repeat or slow down.
Fire & Evacuation
Essential phrases to quickly alert others, find the exit, and stay safe during a fire or evacuation.
Work & Study
Interviews, the workplace, and enrolling in courses.
Your First Day at Work
Essential Italian phrases to help you navigate your first day at a new job, from introducing yourself to finding the kitchen.
Enrolling in a Course
These phrases will help you gather information about course options, schedules, and fees, and complete your registration.
Asking for Time Off
Essential phrases for requesting time off, calling in sick, and arranging cover for your shifts at work.