Ten most important Italian phrases
Dec 4th, 2004, 11:51 AM
#41
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I took an Italian class last year and our instructor said the same thing as others here - that "ciao" is used informally for families and friends and not generally. I do cringe a bit when I see Rick Steves videos and Lonely Planet videos that do use "ciao" indiscriminately.
Dec 4th, 2004, 12:09 PM
#42
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Responding to Suze's challenge:
1. Buon giorno -- good morning
2. Buona sera -- good afternoon, good evening
3. Arrivederci (arrivederla - formal) -- goodbye
4. Quanto costa -- How much is.../How much is it?
5. Mi spiace/ scusi -- sorry/ excuse me
6. Grazie (La ringrazio - formal)+ molto -- Thanks (thank you)+ very much
7. Dove = where? Dov'e: + la stazione{ferroviaria}; la fermata dell'autobus; un ristorante -- Where is:+ the {train} station; the bus stop; a restaurant
8. Come si dice, come si chiama? How do you say...what is the name of...? ALSO MEANS What is your name?
9. E troppo, e troppo costoso -- it is too much, it is too dear
10. Bello! Mi e piaciuto moltissimo -- Wonderful! I enjoyed that very much
(This last is useful in many circumstances)
Hard "C" like a K -- when followed by A,O,U
Soft "C" like CHurCH -- when followed by E,I
H is never pronounced -- it is a hangover from Latin, that's all. It's only function is, for ex., to turn a soft "C" to a hard one: CHi = kee; Ci = chee
As the other consonants are close to English pronunciation, don't worry about them
There are only 7 vowel sounds in Italian -- two "O"s, two "E"s, an A,I and an U, pronounced Ooo.
Your ear will probably not hear the difference between them -- e.g. Dove and Dov'e -- so forget it...
And Bob's your uncle!
E Robertino, lo zio!
1. Buon giorno -- good morning
2. Buona sera -- good afternoon, good evening
3. Arrivederci (arrivederla - formal) -- goodbye
4. Quanto costa -- How much is.../How much is it?
5. Mi spiace/ scusi -- sorry/ excuse me
6. Grazie (La ringrazio - formal)+ molto -- Thanks (thank you)+ very much
7. Dove = where? Dov'e: + la stazione{ferroviaria}; la fermata dell'autobus; un ristorante -- Where is:+ the {train} station; the bus stop; a restaurant
8. Come si dice, come si chiama? How do you say...what is the name of...? ALSO MEANS What is your name?
9. E troppo, e troppo costoso -- it is too much, it is too dear
10. Bello! Mi e piaciuto moltissimo -- Wonderful! I enjoyed that very much
(This last is useful in many circumstances)
Hard "C" like a K -- when followed by A,O,U
Soft "C" like CHurCH -- when followed by E,I
H is never pronounced -- it is a hangover from Latin, that's all. It's only function is, for ex., to turn a soft "C" to a hard one: CHi = kee; Ci = chee
As the other consonants are close to English pronunciation, don't worry about them
There are only 7 vowel sounds in Italian -- two "O"s, two "E"s, an A,I and an U, pronounced Ooo.
Your ear will probably not hear the difference between them -- e.g. Dove and Dov'e -- so forget it...
And Bob's your uncle!
E Robertino, lo zio!
Dec 4th, 2004, 08:31 PM
#43
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wow, this is a lot! I guess my next handbook of the Italian language will be a printout of this thread! 
And yes, my splattering of French (what I remember from High School days) does share a lot of the same formality/informality rules as you folks are sharing with me in Italian.
And yes, my splattering of French (what I remember from High School days) does share a lot of the same formality/informality rules as you folks are sharing with me in Italian.
Dec 4th, 2004, 09:44 PM
#44
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I started seeing double about midway through reading all of these great posts but here is the down and dirty of what you might need to know.
For the bathroom -
Dove il bagno (ban-yo)?
This is how Italians really ask where the facilities are located.
Please - Per piacere (pee-a-chair-a).
When you are frustrated or in pain - A big "Madonna Regazzi!" will get you some smiles. It means "children of the Madonna" sort of like "for goodness sakes!"
Be sure NEVER to mix references to the Madonna and any kind of animal in the same phrase and you should be golden!
Have fun with it. The Italians love a good sport and they will help you in any way they can. A dopo!
For the bathroom -
Dove il bagno (ban-yo)?
This is how Italians really ask where the facilities are located.
Please - Per piacere (pee-a-chair-a).
When you are frustrated or in pain - A big "Madonna Regazzi!" will get you some smiles. It means "children of the Madonna" sort of like "for goodness sakes!"
Be sure NEVER to mix references to the Madonna and any kind of animal in the same phrase and you should be golden!
Have fun with it. The Italians love a good sport and they will help you in any way they can. A dopo!
Dec 4th, 2004, 09:55 PM
#45
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BTW - you are probably wondering why we are all so concerned about seeing you off in the right direction for the bathroom. When you get there you will learn that a clean bathroom is a rare find. If you tell us which cities you will be visiting, I'll bet between all of us, we can map out the best ones. If you are travelling with kids or the weak of heart...you'll thank us when you get back.
Dec 4th, 2004, 10:04 PM
#47
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Ya bathroom map! Gotta love it and of course, never leave home (or at least the US without it)...Let's see, my top bathroom in the center of Florence would be at the Bar Gigli across from the Savoy Hotel in Pza della Republica. It is newly renovated and very clean. The worst would be at the deptartment store Coin on Via Calziouli or any bar at either side of the Ponte Vecchio. In Rome, of course the best bet is any McDonalds since there seem to be so many. In Venice, let me think, nope, can't think of any I could recommend. In Milan...just hold it until you get back to your hotel.
Dec 5th, 2004, 03:48 AM
#48
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Calamari obviously knows his way around Italy so I would be hesitant to contradict the assertion that "bagno" is what Italians themselves ask directions to.
And I don't have the habit in Italy or elsewhere of eavesdropping on people declaring that particular need.
BUT: the advice seems counterintuitive -- especially in a country where the toilet is sometimes in a room separate from the basin and bath.
Maybe the easiest thing, when asking in a bar or restaurant, would be:
1. Ask a neighbour or waiter for a box (scattola) of matches (fiammiferi) -- someone is sure to be smoking, probably the waiter himself......
2. On the side and using a bright, felt-tipped pen you must carry with you always, write "WC" -- the internationally understood word for "water closet"
3. Present the box to a waiter with a smile and a cute sideways tilt of the head. He'll get the message!
4. If you lack writing materials, just say "WC" -- pronounced in Italian "DOP-pyo VOO chee"
On the question of "bagno" -- as I say I cannot disprove calamari, nor would I seek to, but I do recall an analogous conflict of NA euphemism with European precision, in a hillside bar-restaurant in tiny Puycelci in SW France:
A young Quebecoise woman returned laughing but flustered to the table next to ours and told her companions, in Quebec-tinged French:
"I asked for the salle de bain and the woman asked 'Why -- do you want a shower?'"
And I don't have the habit in Italy or elsewhere of eavesdropping on people declaring that particular need.
BUT: the advice seems counterintuitive -- especially in a country where the toilet is sometimes in a room separate from the basin and bath.
Maybe the easiest thing, when asking in a bar or restaurant, would be:
1. Ask a neighbour or waiter for a box (scattola) of matches (fiammiferi) -- someone is sure to be smoking, probably the waiter himself......
2. On the side and using a bright, felt-tipped pen you must carry with you always, write "WC" -- the internationally understood word for "water closet"
3. Present the box to a waiter with a smile and a cute sideways tilt of the head. He'll get the message!
4. If you lack writing materials, just say "WC" -- pronounced in Italian "DOP-pyo VOO chee"
On the question of "bagno" -- as I say I cannot disprove calamari, nor would I seek to, but I do recall an analogous conflict of NA euphemism with European precision, in a hillside bar-restaurant in tiny Puycelci in SW France:
A young Quebecoise woman returned laughing but flustered to the table next to ours and told her companions, in Quebec-tinged French:
"I asked for the salle de bain and the woman asked 'Why -- do you want a shower?'"
Dec 5th, 2004, 04:59 AM
#49
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Good luck with your Italian lessons, if you can learn 10 phrases it will certainly improve the quality of your experience there. I, too , left it way too late (about a month before departure) to learn any Italian---a mistake I will not make again. I had an excellent workbook-type course called Italian in 10 Minutes a Day, and despite the cheesy-sounding name it is a very good primer. It comes with many sheets of stickers with Italian words for common items around your house that you can stick on everything--doors, windows, clocks, etc. We vacummed up "il tappetto" on the second day, but lots of them are still up. Must get them down before Christmas!
Dec 5th, 2004, 05:02 AM
#50
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addendum to previous post: I found that fewer people spoke English in Italy this past trip than 20 years ago. Don't know if that is an actual fact, but only my experience. When the Marshall Plan was still relatively fresh in everyone's national memory, they were more likely to speak and offer English, I think, than now--with the current strained relations between the U.S. and Europe. But maybe that is an isolated experience?
Dec 5th, 2004, 12:13 PM
#51
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kswl, I read a couple of weeks ago that the Italian government was getting very upset at their citizens because their English skills were lacking compared to the citizens in other wester European countries. And just today I read the FIAT plant in southern Italy is going to start showing American films during the workers lunch hour in hopes that this will help them either learn or improve their English skills.
Italians use to be quite good with their English skills, I don't know what has happened.
It has become a problem for Italian companies also as they need their employees to be able to communicate in English.
Italians use to be quite good with their English skills, I don't know what has happened.
It has become a problem for Italian companies also as they need their employees to be able to communicate in English.
Dec 5th, 2004, 05:10 PM
#54
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My Italian language skills are abysmal; I know a fair amount of nouns, and a couple of verbs that I can't conjugate. I've been studying for years, albeit in a desultory manner, and I can get what I want in Italy, but it is unlikely that I'll become close friends with any Italian speakers.
Despite this, I try to use Italian nearly all the time in Italy. In September, much to my mortification, every time I began a conversation in Italian, the Italians said, "It's ok; I speak English" or simply answered my Italian question in English. Santo Dio!
Additionally, I find a phrase to ask for take-away food, such as "da portare via" comes in very handy. ;-)
Despite this, I try to use Italian nearly all the time in Italy. In September, much to my mortification, every time I began a conversation in Italian, the Italians said, "It's ok; I speak English" or simply answered my Italian question in English. Santo Dio!
Additionally, I find a phrase to ask for take-away food, such as "da portare via" comes in very handy. ;-)
Dec 5th, 2004, 05:39 PM
#55
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EstyOst1, yes travelers do indeed need Italians to know English. I don't think you will have a problem though as you will be dealing with Italians that are use to tourist. And do have a beautiful trip. Will look forward to your trip report.
And kswl, evidently your experience was not unusual. Not sure what is going on. Italians for many years were taught English in school. When I talk to one of my friends in Italy next time I will ask them.
Of course since Americans hardly speak a foreign language in most cases guess we can't complain!!
Really do not think it has anything to do with politics etc. But sure do not know what has happened. May the education level has gone downhill?
Take care.
And kswl, evidently your experience was not unusual. Not sure what is going on. Italians for many years were taught English in school. When I talk to one of my friends in Italy next time I will ask them.
Of course since Americans hardly speak a foreign language in most cases guess we can't complain!!
Really do not think it has anything to do with politics etc. But sure do not know what has happened. May the education level has gone downhill?
Take care.
Dec 6th, 2004, 10:12 PM
#56
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Indeed tedgale, there are some terms in Italian (French, etc) that are not to be translated literally, because they certainly don't mean that literally. Bagno is the perfect example. WC is never used there (it is used in France), again, bagno is the only spoken terminology for the bathroom and its whereabouts; however, one will see "toletta" printed on the door. (An Australian tourist at my fiance's hotel in the Cinque Terre was stumbling over the word "gabinetto" and despite numerous attempts trying to get his point across, no one could understand him. He started using his hands to shape a toilet, etc until they finally understood that he was asking where the bagno was!
Also, in the Cinque Terre they use "fare una doccia" for BOTH to take a swim/dip (as in the ocean) and also to take a shower. I found this very amusing but as they say, do as the locals do!
I have heard over and over that Italians do not know English widespread as it is in other EU countries. Although it is certainly not the case of those in Milano and larger northern cities, it does still happen to be the case of those living in the south (Naples, Calabria, and beyond). It still surprises me that this exists because of the widespread popularity of American film, television shows, youth fashion, music, etc over there, one would think that the young people have picked up English throughout the years. My good friend Manuela (in her late 20s) who is from Naples, is the only one in her immediate and extended family of 18 people that can speak any English (haltingly at that). Aside from the Amalfi Coast resort towns and Capri, there does appear to be a need for English fluency to be acquired countrywide for businesses and businessmen to come up to par with the rest of the EU.
Also, in the Cinque Terre they use "fare una doccia" for BOTH to take a swim/dip (as in the ocean) and also to take a shower. I found this very amusing but as they say, do as the locals do!
I have heard over and over that Italians do not know English widespread as it is in other EU countries. Although it is certainly not the case of those in Milano and larger northern cities, it does still happen to be the case of those living in the south (Naples, Calabria, and beyond). It still surprises me that this exists because of the widespread popularity of American film, television shows, youth fashion, music, etc over there, one would think that the young people have picked up English throughout the years. My good friend Manuela (in her late 20s) who is from Naples, is the only one in her immediate and extended family of 18 people that can speak any English (haltingly at that). Aside from the Amalfi Coast resort towns and Capri, there does appear to be a need for English fluency to be acquired countrywide for businesses and businessmen to come up to par with the rest of the EU.
Dec 6th, 2004, 10:22 PM
#57
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Huitres, I have a question for you. I thought that Italian school children were taught English in all Italian schools. Perhaps this is not true? I had a houseguest from Naples last summer. Very well-to-do family, and well educated. However this houseguest barely spoke English. Between his English and my even worse Italian we did communicate. But I was surprised.
Are students not taught English throughout Italy? Or is it only more the northern Italian schools that teach English? Or is it perhaps in the south they do not have as much opportunity to practice their English and so soon forget what they have learned.
Thank you for any thoughts or knowledge that you have. Take care.
Are students not taught English throughout Italy? Or is it only more the northern Italian schools that teach English? Or is it perhaps in the south they do not have as much opportunity to practice their English and so soon forget what they have learned.
Thank you for any thoughts or knowledge that you have. Take care.
Dec 7th, 2004, 03:14 AM
#58
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LoveItaly: Not true. At least not everywhere in Italy. In some small towns in the south, English is still not too widely studied. In a little town that I like to visit in Sicily, the children have a choice of French or English, and French, which most of the older people studied when young, is still more popular.
Dec 7th, 2004, 11:22 AM
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Thanks cmt. Guess I assumed English was studied in all of Italy. I know my SIL studied English at school in Rome but never used it so when he arrived here could really not speak English. In one year however he was so fluent our mouths use to hang open so to speak.
And friends I have in the little village of Cantolupo (s.e. of Isernia) can comminicate in English and all my friends in Veneto and Milano can so again I just assumed. But we all know what they say about assuming! Thanks again.
And friends I have in the little village of Cantolupo (s.e. of Isernia) can comminicate in English and all my friends in Veneto and Milano can so again I just assumed. But we all know what they say about assuming! Thanks again.
