Common Italian Phrases – Basic expressions

I haven’t mastered the Italian language yet but here are some basic Italian phrases that I do know which will help you when you are in Italy. In Italian, there is formal and informal way of addressing people. So the list below has the two forms.

How would you know when to use formal or informal language?

Basically, my idea is that if it is someone you don’t know very well you, and older you would use formal language. For informal language, I would use it with someone younger and friends.

yes – si
no – no
hello – ciao
welcome – benvenuto
please – per favore
thank you – grazie
thank you very much – grazie mille
you’re welcome – prego
pleased to meet you – piacere
Mr. Smith – Signor Smith
Mrs. Smith – Signora Smith
Miss Smith – Signoria Smith
My name is… – Mi chiamo…
What is your name? – Come si chiama? (formal) / Come ti chiami?(informal)
come in – avanti
sorry – scusi
sorry to bother you – scusi per il disturbo
excuse me – permesso (to get through)
good morning – buon giorno
good evening – buona sera
good night – buona notte
of course – volentieri
certainly – certamente
unfortunately – purtroppo
How are you? – Come sta? (formal) / Come stai? (informal)
fine thanks – bene grazie
I am not well – non sto bene
everything’s well – tutto bene
everything ok? – tutto posto?
I am sorry – mi dispiace
that’s nice – che bello (che is pronounced kay)
how lucky – che fortuna (che is pronounced kay)
never – mai
what a pity – che peccato
see you later – a dopo / a piu tardi
see you soon – a presto
bye – arriverdi (formal) / ciao (informal)
take care – sta bene (formal) / stai bene (informal
alright – va bene / d’accordo
Have a good holiday – buone vacanze
Have a good trip – Buon viaggio
You are right – Ha ragione (formal) / Hai ragione (informal)
I like it very much – Mi piace tanto
That’s not true – Non e vero
I don’t agree – Non sono d’accordo
Do you speak English? – Parla inglese?
Speak slowly please – Parli piano, per favore
I don’t speak English – Non parlo italiano
I don’t understand – Non capisco
I speak only a little bit of Italian – Parlo solo un po d’italiano
How do you pronounce…? – Come si pronuncia…?
Could you say that again, please? – Puo ripetere, per favore?
Do you understand me? – Mi capisce?
Hold on a second – Aspetti un momento (formal) / Aspetta un momento (informal)
Can you please help me? – Puo aiutarmi, per favore?
Where is…? – Dov’e …
Sorry i am late – scusi per il ritardo
Enjoy your meal – Buon Appetito
Happy Birthday – Buon Compleanno /Auguri
Happy Easter – Buona Pasqua
Merry Christmas – Buon Natale