Going to Italy? These 75+ Words and Phrases Could Make Your Trip Much Easier

If you’re planning a trip to Italy, you don’t need to learn Italian beforehand. But knowing a few words can make everyday situations much easier – ordering coffee, buying a train ticket, asking for directions, checking into a hotel, shopping, or simply understanding a sign.

And, as anywhere else in the world, making the effort to use a few words and phrases in the local language can make everyday interactions easier. Even if your pronunciation isn’t perfect, words such as buongiorno, grazie, per favore, and scusi are easy to learn and useful from day one.

So below you’ll find Italian words worth knowing before visiting Italy, followed by useful Italian phrases for travel, grouped by the situations you’re most likely to encounter. I’ve organized everything by occasion, so you can quickly find what you need instead of scrolling through one enormous vocabulary list.

My husband has traveled to Italy many times, and I studied Italian online for a while myself. I can manage a short conversation, but I’m not a fluent speaker – which is one reason I find practical travel phrases much more useful than trying to memorize long vocabulary lists before a trip.

If you’re still planning the trip itself, these places to visit in Italy include famous landmarks, cities, and lesser-known destinations across the country.

The pronunciations below are simple approximations for English speakers. They won’t replace hearing Italian spoken, but they’ll help you get closer to the word you want to say.

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Quick answer: The most useful Italian phrases for travel include buongiorno (good morning/good day), grazie (thank you), per favore (please), mi scusi (excuse me), non capisco (I don’t understand), dov’è…? (where is…?) and vorrei… (I would like). These seven phrases cover many everyday situations you’ll encounter while traveling in Italy.

12 Basic Italian Phrases to Learn Before Your Trip

If you only want to memorize a few Italian travel phrases, I recommend starting here. These cover greetings, politeness, asking for help, and some of the situations you’ll encounter most often.

Buongiorno (bwohn-JOR-noh) – Good morning / Good day

A good greeting when entering a shop, café, hotel or restaurant, or when speaking to someone you don’t know.

Buonasera (bwoh-nah-SEH-rah) – Good evening

Per favore (pehr fah-VOH-reh) – Please

Grazie (GRAHT-see-eh) – Thank you

Grazie mille (GRAHT-see-eh MEEL-leh) – Thank you very much

Prego (PREH-goh) – You’re welcome / Go ahead / Please

You’ll hear prego in several contexts. It can be the answer to grazie, but someone may use it when inviting you to enter, sit down, go ahead or continue.

Mi scusi (mee SKOO-zee) – Excuse me

Parla inglese? (PAR-lah een-GLAY-zeh) – Do you speak English?

Non capisco (non kah-PEE-skoh) – I don’t understand

Può ripetere, per favore? (pwoh ree-PEH-teh-reh, pehr fah-VOH-reh) – Can you repeat that, please?

Dov’è…? (doh-VEH) – Where is…?

Once you know dov’è, you can use it constantly: Dov’è il bagno?, Dov’è la stazione?, Dov’è l’uscita?

Vorrei… (vor-RAY) – I would like…

Vorrei is useful in restaurants, cafés, shops and ticket offices. You don’t need to build an elaborate sentence around it.

Should You Say Ciao to Everyone in Italy?

Ciao means both hello and goodbye, but it’s informal. You’ll hear it all the time among friends, family, and people who know each other.

With someone you don’t know, buongiorno or buonasera is an easy choice. You don’t need to turn every brief exchange into an etiquette test, but it’s useful to know why the person behind a hotel desk may greet you with buongiorno rather than ciao.

If you’re interested in the language beyond practical travel vocabulary, some Italian proverbs and their meanings are much harder to translate literally than a simple greeting.

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Italian Courtesy Words You May Hear Often

You may not use all of these yourself, but you’ll hear several of them regularly, so they’re useful to recognize.

Per piacere (pehr pyah-CHEH-reh) – Please

You’ll also hear this as an alternative to per favore.

Scusi (SKOO-zee) – Excuse me

You can use it to politely get someone’s attention.

Permesso (pehr-MEHS-soh) – Excuse me / May I pass?

This is useful when you need to get past someone physically: leaving a crowded train, moving through a busy doorway or squeezing past people in a narrow space.

Sì (see) – Yes

No (noh) – No

Va bene (vah BEH-neh) – Okay / That’s fine

Certo (CHEHR-toh) – Of course / Certainly

Un momento (oon moh-MEN-toh) – One moment

Italian Phrases to Use When You Don’t Understand

I think that being able to say you don’t understand something can be extremely helpful in many situations. If someone answers quickly, these phrases help you keep the conversation going.

Non parlo italiano (non PAR-loh ee-tah-LYAH-noh) – I don’t speak Italian

Parla inglese? (PAR-lah een-GLAY-zeh) – Do you speak English?

Non capisco (non kah-PEE-skoh) – I don’t understand

Può ripetere? (pwoh ree-PEH-teh-reh) – Can you repeat that?

Può parlare più lentamente? (pwoh par-LAH-reh pyoo len-tah-MEN-teh) – Can you speak more slowly?

Come si dice…? (KOH-meh see DEE-cheh) – How do you say…?

Che cosa significa? (keh KOH-zah see-NYEE-fee-kah) – What does it mean?

Useful Italian Phrases at the Airport

At major Italian airports, you’ll find English on many signs and screens. A handful of Italian airport words can still help when you’re looking for baggage claim, the exit or transport into the city.

Dov’è il ritiro bagagli? (doh-VEH eel ree-TEE-roh bah-GAH-lyee) – Where is baggage claim?

Dov’è l’uscita? (doh-VEH loo-SHEE-tah) – Where is the exit?

Dov’è la fermata dei taxi? (doh-VEH lah fehr-MAH-tah day TAK-see) – Where is the taxi stop?

Dov’è la stazione? (doh-VEH lah stah-TSYOH-neh) – Where is the station?

Dove posso comprare un biglietto? (DOH-veh POS-soh kohm-PRAH-reh oon bee-LYET-toh) – Where can I buy a ticket?

Italian Airport Words to Recognize

Arrivi – Arrivals

Partenze – Departures

Uscita – Exit

Bagagli – Baggage/luggage

Ritiro bagagli – Baggage claim

Volo – Flight

Imbarco – Boarding

Italian Hotel Phrases for Check-In and Your Stay

Hotel conversations tend to involve the same questions: the reservation, breakfast, Wi-Fi, luggage, check-out, and anything that isn’t working in the room. Usually, people speak English, but the phrases below might come in handy 🙂 

Ho una prenotazione a nome di… (oh OO-nah preh-noh-tah-TSYOH-neh ah NOH-meh dee) – I have a reservation under the name…

Vorrei fare il check-in (vor-RAY FAH-reh eel check-in) – I’d like to check in

A che ora è la colazione? (ah keh OH-rah eh lah koh-lah-TSYOH-neh) – What time is breakfast?

Qual è la password del Wi-Fi? – What’s the Wi-Fi password?

Dov’è l’ascensore? (doh-VEH lah-shen-SOH-reh) – Where is the elevator?

Potrei avere un altro asciugamano? (poh-TRAY ah-VEH-reh oon AL-troh ah-shoo-gah-MAH-noh) – Could I have another towel?

L’aria condizionata non funziona (LAH-ree-ah kon-dee-tsyoh-NAH-tah non foon-TSYOH-nah) – The air conditioning isn’t working

Posso lasciare qui i bagagli? (POS-soh lah-SHAH-reh kwee ee bah-GAH-lyee) – Can I leave my luggage here?

A che ora è il check-out? – What time is check-out?

Può chiamarmi un taxi? (pwoh kyah-MAR-mee oon TAK-see) – Can you call me a taxi?

A che ora apre il ristorante? (ah keh OH-rah AH-preh eel ree-stoh-RAHN-teh) – What time does the restaurant open?

My husband has traveled to Milan several times for work, and on one trip he arrived at his hotel hungry in the afternoon only to discover that the restaurant was closed until later. It’s a small thing, but restaurant hours are worth checking instead of assuming you’ll be able to eat whenever you arrive. My Milan travel tips cover other practical details that can catch first-time visitors off guard.

Italian Phrases for Ordering Coffee at a Café or Bar

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One of our favorite things to do when traveling is to discover local dishes and how locals eat and drink. That also means I do some research before I travel so I can be prepared and know a little bit about local etiquette. At some Italian cafés, prices can differ depending on whether you drink your coffee standing at the counter or sitting at a table, especially in popular spots. My guide to Italian dining etiquette explains the café, restaurant, and meal-time customs that affect tourists most often.

One important note: One word can prevent a common coffee misunderstanding: latte means milk. If you want a coffee with milk, don’t simply order a “latte” and expect the drink you’d receive at a coffee shop in the United States.

Un caffè, per favore (oon kahf-FEH, pehr fah-VOH-reh) – A coffee, please

In Italy, un caffè generally means an espresso-style coffee.

Un cappuccino, per favore (oon kahp-poo-CHEE-noh, pehr fah-VOH-reh) – A cappuccino, please

Un caffè latte, per favore (oon kahf-FEH LAH-teh) – A caffè latte, please

Un’acqua naturale, per favore (oo-NAHK-wah nah-too-RAH-leh) – Still water, please

Un’acqua frizzante, per favore (oo-NAHK-wah freet-TSAHN-teh) – Sparkling water, please

Quanto costa? (KWAN-toh KOS-tah) – How much does it cost?

Posso pagare con la carta? (POS-soh pah-GAH-reh kon lah KAR-tah) – Can I pay by card?

Al Banco and Al Tavolo

Al banco means at the counter.

Al tavolo means at the table.

Italian Phrases for Ordering Gelato

You have to try a gelato when in Italy! Gelaterias bring their own small set of words, and these are easy enough to learn before you order.

Un cono, per favore (oon KOH-noh, pehr fah-VOH-reh) – A cone, please

Una coppetta, per favore (OO-nah kop-PEHT-tah, pehr fah-VOH-reh) – A cup, please

Un gusto (oon GOO-stoh) – One flavor

Due gusti (DOO-eh GOO-stee) – Two flavors

Posso assaggiare questo? (POS-soh ahs-sah-JAH-reh KWEH-stoh) – Can I taste this?

Whether samples are offered depends on the gelateria, but the phrase is useful if you want to ask.

Quale gusto mi consiglia? (KWAH-leh GOO-stoh mee kon-SEEL-yah) – Which flavor do you recommend?

Questo, per favore (KWEH-stoh, pehr fah-VOH-reh) – This one, please

Italian Restaurant Phrases for Ordering Food

If you’re searching for Italian phrases for tourists, restaurant vocabulary is one of the most useful groups to learn. You only need a few expressions to ask for a table, order food and request the bill.

When You Arrive

Un tavolo per due, per favore (oon TAH-voh-loh pehr DOO-eh) – A table for two, please

Change the number to match your group.

Abbiamo una prenotazione a nome di… (ahb-BYAH-moh OO-nah preh-noh-tah-TSYOH-neh ah NOH-meh dee) – We have a reservation under the name…

Avete un tavolo fuori? (ah-VEH-teh oon TAH-voh-loh FWOR-ee) – Do you have a table outside?

When You’re Ready to Order

Vorrei ordinare (vor-RAY or-dee-NAH-reh) – I’d like to order

Per me… (pehr meh) – For me…

Cosa consiglia? (KOH-zah kon-SEEL-yah) – What do you recommend?

Qual è la specialità della casa? (kwal eh lah speh-chah-lee-TAH DEL-lah KAH-zah) – What’s the house specialty?

Posso avere dell’acqua, per favore? (POS-soh ah-VEH-reh del-LAHK-wah) – Can I have some water, please?

Buonissimo! (bwoh-NEES-see-moh) – Delicious / Very good!

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Italian Phrases for Dietary Requirements and Allergies

Sono vegetariano / vegetariana – I’m vegetarian

Sono vegano / vegana – I’m vegan

Sono allergico / allergica a… – I’m allergic to…

If you have a serious food allergy, don’t depend on pronunciation alone. Keep the allergy and ingredient written clearly in Italian so you can show it to the server.

Senza glutine, per favore – Gluten-free, please

When You’re Ready to Pay

Il conto, per favore (eel KON-toh, pehr fah-VOH-reh) – The bill/check, please

Don’t be surprised if the bill doesn’t appear the moment you finish eating. Asking for it is normal.

Possiamo pagare separatamente? (pos-SYAH-moh pah-GAH-reh seh-pah-rah-tah-MEN-teh) – Can we pay separately?

Il servizio è incluso? (eel sehr-VEE-tsyoh eh een-KLOO-zoh) – Is service included?

Italian Restaurant Words You’ll See on Menus and Bills

Antipasto – Appetizer/starter

Primo – First course, commonly pasta, rice or soup

Secondo – Meat or fish course

Contorno – Side dish

Dolce – Dessert

Coperto – Cover charge

Servizio – Service/service charge

Mancia – Tip

Vino della casa – House wine

Naturale – Still, when referring to water

Frizzante – Sparkling

Coperto, servizio and mancia aren’t interchangeable, which is why it’s worth recognizing all three rather than assuming every extra line on a bill is the same thing.

Italian menus and food habits can generate as many questions as the language itself. These Italian food rules and trivia questions cover coffee, pasta, meal structure and other details you may notice once you start eating around the country.

And if food is one of your reasons for visiting, Bologna deserves a look when you’re deciding where to go.

Italian Phrases at Museums, Churches and Attractions

You probably won’t need long conversations at major Italian attractions, but these words help at entrances, ticket offices and museums.

Dov’è la biglietteria? (doh-VEH lah bee-lyet-teh-REE-ah) – Where is the ticket office?

Due biglietti, per favore (DOO-eh bee-LYET-tee) – Two tickets, please

Dov’è l’ingresso? (doh-VEH leen-GRES-soh) – Where is the entrance?

Dov’è l’uscita? (doh-VEH loo-SHEE-tah) – Where is the exit?

C’è un’audioguida in inglese? – Is there an audio guide in English?

Posso fare foto? (POS-soh FAH-reh FOH-toh) – Can I take photos?

È necessario prenotare? (eh neh-ches-SAH-ree-oh preh-noh-TAH-reh) – Is it necessary to book?

A che ora chiude? (ah keh OH-rah KYOO-deh) – What time does it close?

È gratuito? (eh grah-TOO-ee-toh) – Is it free?

If you’re combining several famous art cities, you can use these alongside the practical information in my guides to Rome, Florence and Venice.

In Venice, you’ll quickly encounter another word: vaporetto, the name for the city’s public water buses.

Italian Phrases for Asking for Directions

Learning how to ask where something is solves only half the problem. You also need to recognize a few words in the answer.

Dov’è…? (doh-VEH) – Where is…?

Come arrivo a…? (KOH-meh ah-REE-voh ah) – How do I get to…?

È vicino? (eh vee-CHEE-noh) – Is it near?

È lontano? (eh lon-TAH-noh) – Is it far?

Devo andare a destra o a sinistra? (DEH-voh ahn-DAH-reh ah DES-trah oh ah see-NEE-strah) – Do I need to go right or left?

Può mostrarmelo sulla mappa? (pwoh moh-STRAR-meh-loh SOOL-lah MAP-pah) – Can you show me on the map?

Italian Direction Words to Understand

A destra – To the right

A sinistra – To the left

Dritto – Straight ahead

Sempre dritto – Keep going straight

Vicino – Near

Lontano – Far

Qui – Here

Lì / Là – There

In fondo – At the end / farther down

Angolo – Corner

Davanti – In front

Dietro – Behind

Basic Italian becomes more useful once you move beyond places where almost every interaction happens in English. If you’d like to add smaller towns and different landscapes to your route, these lesser-known destinations in Italy offer ideas beyond the major cities.

Italian Phrases for Small Problems and Emergencies

You may never use these, but they’re easy to save with the rest of your Italian travel phrases.

Ho bisogno di aiuto (oh bee-ZOH-nyoh dee ah-YOO-toh) – I need help

Può aiutarmi? (pwoh ah-yoo-TAR-mee) – Can you help me?

Dov’è una farmacia? (doh-VEH OO-nah far-mah-CHEE-ah) – Where is a pharmacy?

Ho bisogno di un medico (oh bee-ZOH-nyoh dee oon MEH-dee-koh) – I need a doctor

Ho perso il mio telefono (oh PER-soh eel MEE-oh teh-LEH-foh-noh) – I’ve lost my phone

Ho perso il passaporto (oh PER-soh eel pas-sah-POR-toh) – I’ve lost my passport

Mi sono perso / persa (mee SOH-noh PER-soh / PER-sah) – I’m lost

Italian Phrases for Train Travel and Public Transportation

Italian train vocabulary can be useful even if you intend to buy every ticket online. You still need to understand departure boards, platforms, delays, and announcements. It’s especially handy if you’re connecting several cities on a Northern Italy trip.

Un biglietto per Roma, per favore (oon bee-LYET-toh pehr ROH-mah, pehr fah-VOH-reh) – A ticket to Rome, please

Replace Rome with your destination.

Solo andata (SOH-loh ahn-DAH-tah) – One way

Andata e ritorno (ahn-DAH-tah eh ree-TOR-noh) – Round trip / return

Da quale binario parte il treno per Firenze? (dah KWAH-leh bee-NAH-ree-oh PAR-teh eel TREH-noh pehr fee-REN-tseh) – Which platform does the train to Florence leave from?

Dov’è il binario…? (doh-VEH eel bee-NAH-ree-oh) – Where is platform…?

È questo il treno per…? (eh KWEH-stoh eel TREH-noh pehr) – Is this the train to…?

Il treno è in ritardo? (eel TREH-noh eh een ree-TAR-doh) – Is the train delayed?

Devo cambiare treno? (DEH-voh kahm-BYAH-reh TREH-noh) – Do I need to change trains?

A che ora parte? (ah keh OH-rah PAR-teh) – What time does it leave?

A che ora arriva? (ah keh OH-rah ah-REE-vah) – What time does it arrive?

Italian Train Station Words You’ll Want to Recognize

Binario – Platform/track

Biglietto – Ticket

Biglietteria – Ticket office

Stazione – Station

Fermata – Stop

Partenza – Departure

Arrivo – Arrival

Ritardo – Delay

Cancellato – Canceled

Carrozza – Carriage/coach

Posto – Seat/place

Sciopero – Strike

Convalida: A Word to Know if You Have a Paper Regional Train Ticket

You may see convalida or hear convalidare when talking about validating a ticket.

The rules depend on the ticket you’re using. Paper regional tickets generally need to be validated before travel, while Trenitalia’s digital regional tickets are automatically validated at the scheduled departure time. Check the instructions on your own ticket rather than relying on an old travel tip you may have read online. Trenitalia explains the current rules on its regional travel information page.

Italian Phrases for Taxis, Driving and Parking

Mi può portare a…? (mee pwoh por-TAH-reh ah) – Can you take me to…?

Quanto costa fino a…? (KWAN-toh KOS-tah FEE-noh ah) – How much does it cost to…?

Può fermarsi qui? (pwoh fehr-MAR-see kwee) – Can you stop here?

Dov’è il parcheggio? (doh-VEH eel par-KEJ-joh) – Where is the parking area?

Dove posso parcheggiare? (DOH-veh POS-soh par-kej-JAH-reh) – Where can I park?

È lontano da qui? (eh lon-TAH-noh dah kwee) – Is it far from here?

ZTL: Three Letters Drivers in Italy Need to Recognize

ZTL stands for Zona a Traffico Limitato, or Limited Traffic Zone.

You’ll encounter ZTL signs around many historic city centers. Access can be restricted to authorized vehicles during certain periods, and cameras may monitor vehicles entering the zone. Rules vary by city, so check the signs and local information before driving in.

It’s one reason anyone renting a car should read about rules and tourist fines in Italy before setting off. Italy’s official tourism site also covers driving and practical travel information.

Italian Phrases for Shopping and Markets

Quanto costa? (KWAN-toh KOS-tah) – How much does it cost?

Posso provarlo? (POS-soh proh-VAR-loh) – Can I try it on?

You may use provarla instead depending on the item.

Avete una taglia più grande? (ah-VEH-teh OO-nah TAL-yah pyoo GRAN-deh) – Do you have a larger size?

Avete una taglia più piccola? (ah-VEH-teh OO-nah TAL-yah pyoo PEEK-koh-lah) – Do you have a smaller size?

Sto solo guardando, grazie (stoh SOH-loh gwar-DAHN-doh) – I’m just looking, thank you

Posso pagare con la carta? – Can I pay by card?

Solo contanti? (SOH-loh kon-TAHN-tee) – Cash only?

Lo prendo (loh PREHN-doh) – I’ll take it

You may hear or use la prendo, depending on the noun.

Italian Shopping and Payment Words

Cassa – Checkout/cash register

Scontrino – Receipt

Saldi – Sales

Sconto – Discount

Aperto – Open

Chiuso – Closed

Contanti – Cash

Carta – Card, in a payment context

Card use is widespread, but carrying a modest cash backup can still be handy in Europe. My updated guide on whether you need cash in Europe covers the situations in which it can still be useful.

25 Italian Words to Know Before Visiting Italy

You don’t necessarily need to say all of these. The point is to recognize them when they appear on signs, screens, menus, doors or tickets.

Aperto – Open

Chiuso – Closed

Ingresso – Entrance

Uscita – Exit

Bagno – Bathroom / toilet

Cassa – Checkout / cashier

Biglietto – Ticket

Biglietteria – Ticket office

Binario – Train platform / track

Fermata – Stop

Stazione – Station

Partenze – Departures

Arrivi – Arrivals

Ritardo – Delay

Cancellato – Cancelled

Sciopero – Strike

Prenotazione – Reservation / booking

Parcheggio – Parking

ZTL – Limited Traffic Zone

Scontrino – Receipt

Contanti – Cash

Gratuito – Free of charge

Occupato – Occupied / busy

Libero – Free / available

Coperto – Restaurant cover charge

Italian Words Travelers Often Mispronounce

You don’t need perfect Italian pronunciation to be understood, but a few familiar food and travel words sound different from the versions often heard in English.

Grazie – roughly GRAHT-see-eh, rather than “grat-zee.”

Bruschetta – roughly broo-SKET-tah. The ch has a hard K sound here.

Gnocchi – roughly NYOH-kee.

Espresso – it starts with es, not ex.

Chianti – roughly kee-AHN-tee.

Which Italian Phrases Should You Actually Memorize?

You don’t need to memorize all 75+ phrases in this guide.

Choose them based on your trip. If you’ll travel extensively by train, learn binario, ritardo, partenza and the basic ticket phrases. If you’re renting a car, remember parcheggio and, more importantly, recognize ZTL. If eating your way around Italy is high on your list, vorrei, il conto, naturale, frizzante, coperto and the menu words will go much further.

Conclusion: The Italian Words You’ll Be Glad You Learned

You can visit Italy without speaking Italian. Still, a few basic words remove small bits of friction from the day: you can greet someone properly, find the train platform, ask where the bathroom is, order what you actually wanted and understand why a word has appeared on your restaurant bill.

If you’re starting with only seven, make them buongiorno, grazie, per favore, scusi, non capisco, dov’è…? and vorrei…. The rest can follow according to your itinerary.

And if you’re spending the weeks before departure reading about the country, these Italy trivia questions cover its cities, food, landmarks, history and geography.

Italian Phrases for Travel: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most useful Italian phrases for tourists?

Some of the most useful Italian phrases for tourists are buongiorno for good morning or good day, grazie for thank you, per favore for please, mi scusi for excuse me, non capisco for I don’t understand, parla inglese? for do you speak English, dov’è…? for where is, and vorrei… for I would like.

Do I need to speak Italian to visit Italy?

No. You can travel around Italy without speaking Italian, especially in major tourist destinations. A small amount of Italian is still helpful in shops, cafés, train stations, taxis, smaller towns and any situation where the person you’re speaking to doesn’t use much English.

Is it rude not to speak Italian in Italy?

No. Visitors aren’t expected to arrive fluent in Italian. Starting with a greeting such as buongiorno, using per favore and grazie, or asking parla inglese? before switching languages is an easy, polite approach.

What Italian words should I know before visiting Italy?

Italian words worth recognizing include ingresso for entrance, uscita for exit, bagno for bathroom, biglietto for ticket, binario for train platform or track, fermata for stop, aperto for open, chiuso for closed, contanti for cash, prenotazione for reservation and ZTL for a restricted traffic zone.

Should tourists say ciao or buongiorno in Italy?

Ciao is informal and is commonly used between people who know each other. Buongiorno and buonasera are useful greetings when speaking to someone you don’t know or entering a hotel, restaurant, shop or café.

How do you politely ask if someone speaks English in Italian?

Say Parla inglese?, meaning “Do you speak English?” You can start with Mi scusi to get the person’s attention politely: Mi scusi, parla inglese?

How do you say I don’t understand in Italian?

Non capisco means “I don’t understand.” If the person is speaking too quickly, you can say Può parlare più lentamente?, meaning “Can you speak more slowly?”

How do you ask where the bathroom is in Italian?

Say Dov’è il bagno? The word bagno means bathroom or toilet in this context.

What are useful Italian phrases for train travel?

Useful Italian train phrases include Un biglietto per…, per favore for buying a ticket, Dov’è il binario…? for finding a platform, Il treno è in ritardo? for asking whether a train is delayed, and Devo cambiare treno? for asking whether you need to change trains.

What does binario mean at an Italian train station?

Binario means train track or platform in the context of a railway station. You’ll see the word on departure information showing where your train leaves.

What does sciopero mean in Italy?

Sciopero means strike. If you see it in connection with a train, bus, airport or other transport service, check whether your journey is affected.

What does ZTL mean in Italy?

ZTL stands for Zona a Traffico Limitato, or Limited Traffic Zone. These are restricted traffic areas found in many Italian cities, especially historic centers. Drivers should check the signs and local restrictions before entering.

What are the most useful Italian restaurant phrases?

Useful Italian restaurant phrases include Un tavolo per due, per favore for asking for a table for two, Vorrei… or Per me… when ordering, Cosa consiglia? for asking what the server recommends, and Il conto, per favore when you’re ready for the bill.

How do you ask for the check in Italian?

Say Il conto, per favore, meaning “The bill, please.”

What does coperto mean on an Italian restaurant bill?

Coperto is a cover charge. It may appear on the menu and is separate from the concepts of servizio, meaning service or a service charge, and mancia, meaning tip.

What’s the difference between primo and secondo on an Italian menu?

Primo is the course that commonly includes pasta, rice or soup. Secondo is a separate meat or fish course. A contorno, or side dish, is usually ordered separately.

What does prego mean in Italian?

Prego can mean “you’re welcome,” but that’s not its only use. You may hear it when someone invites you to go ahead, enter, sit down or continue.

How do you order coffee in Italian?

Un caffè, per favore will generally get you an espresso-style coffee. For a cappuccino, say Un cappuccino, per favore. Remember that latte on its own means milk.

How do you order gelato in Italian?

For a cone, say Un cono, per favore. For a cup, use Una coppetta, per favore. Un gusto means one flavor and due gusti means two flavors.

What’s the difference between acqua naturale and acqua frizzante?

Acqua naturale is still water. Acqua frizzante is sparkling water. It’s a distinction you’ll hear frequently when ordering water in cafés and restaurants.

How do you ask if you can pay by card in Italian?

Say Posso pagare con la carta?, meaning “Can I pay by card?” Contanti means cash, so solo contanti means cash only.