Italian: Basics

These videos and examples will give you all you need for a trip to Italy and be a good tourist. They are also helpful for anyone wanting to brush up on their Italian. Mark visits Rome, Venice, Vicenza, Florence and many more locales on his way. Join him for Learning the Basics of Italian.

Basic Italian Phrases and an introduction to Learning Italian from Venice Italy

Hello – ciao     Hi –  ciao

Bye –  Arrivederci

Good day –  Buon giorno,   Good afternoon – buon pomeriggio ,      Good evening – buona sera,    Good night – buona notte 

How are you? – Come stai? – I’m well – Sto bene.  , I’m bad – sto male.  

Do you speak English? Parla inglese?,      I don’t speak Italian. – No parlo italiano.

I don’t understand – No capisco.      I’m lost. Mi sono perso.

Excuse me = scusi

Where is? – Dove e?

I need. – Ho bisogno.     Medico – doctor,     Pharmacy/chemist – farmacia

What is your name? -   Che è il vostro (tuo) nome?

My name is Mark –  . Il mio nome e Mark.

I am Mark. –  Io sono Mark.

Thank you – Grazie,     please – per favore,     you are welcome – prego 

I would like – vorrei

Yes – Sì,     No -  No

Basic Italian Phrases Rome, Italy

 This video has a few more/different words to help with your basic Italian.

 

Basic Italian Verbs Rome, Italy (Vatican)

Basic Italian verbs

To go – Andare

I go – Io Vado, I go to Rome. Io vado a Roma.

You go – Tu vai. You go to Italy. Tu vai in Italia.

to come – venire,    I come – io vengo,      You come – tu vieni

To leave – partire,      I leave – Io parto,      You leave – Tu parti

To call – chiamare,     I call – Io Chiamo,     You call – Tu Chiami

To be – Essere (fully done below)

I am io sono, You are – Tu sei

to have – Avere,    I have – io ho,   I have a cat. Io ho un gatto.  You have – tu hai, You have a son. Tu hai un figlio.

I am hungry. Io ho fame.

Fare – to do,   I do – Io Faccio,    You to – tu fai

 

The verb “to be” essere: San Marco’s in Venice

The Verb for “To Be” Essere

Essere: used with Time, Occupation, Nationality, Identification, Characteristics, locations, and temporary conditions. So everything.
I am – Io sono, you are – tu sei, He is – lui è, she is – Lei è. We are – noi siamo, you guys are – voi siete, they are – loro sono.
Note: you do not have to say io, tu, etc as it is implied in the conjugation of the verb and context of use. We have included it here for understanding.

Io sono Mark– I am Mark,
Tu sei italiano — you are Italian,
Voi siete brasiliano — you are Brazilian,
Lui è grasso– he is fat,
Lei è graziosa– she is pretty,
Noi siamo da Lisbona. — we are from Lisbon,
Voi siete I miei amici. – you guys are my friends.
Loro sono buona gente– they are good people

Tu sei qui — you are here,
Lui è là — he is there,
Lei è a Lisbona — she is in Lisbon,
Siamo in Italia– we are in Italy,
Voi siete in ritardo– you guys are late,
Loro sono ammalate — they are sick,
Loro sono a Roma. — they (female) are in Rome.

For things:
The house is green. La casa è verde.
The city is beautiful – La citta e bela.

The Train stations in Italy: Vocab and tips, Vicenza, Italy

Learn how to use the train in Italy, vocab and phrases to help you enjoy your trip. and ALWAYS VALIDATE YOUR TICKET IN THE YELLOW BOX BEFORE GETTING ON THE TRAIN
Some tips on Italian Train stations.
Buy your tickets at the machines if you know where you want to go as you will save time, though the agents at the ticket office are always extremely helpful.
Some Vocabulary you may need
Where is the Train station Dove e la stazione
Which track? Qual binario?
Do I have to change trains? Devo cambiare il treno?
At what time does my train leave – A che ora parte il mio treno.
Arrivals arrivi It is usually white on the sheets in the train station.
Departures partenze Usually yellow
Binario platform
Ticket office Biglietteria

Eurostar train and fast trains require reservations. Regional trains do not. Look for the R on the timetable.

Calling Internationally from Italy, Vatican City

You must dial 00 before your international country code, so to call the US it is 00-1 (for the USA) then your area code and home number. For Portugal it would be, 00 – 351 then your whole phone number.

 

Toilets in Italy, Vicenza, Italy