1. INTRODUCTION
Going to Italy for holidays is a dream. But there’s one moment that ruins it for everyone: the moment you actually have to speak.
You studied “Ciao, come stai?” on an app. But now you’re at the train station and the announcement says “Il treno per Roma è in ritardo e parte dal binario 7”. Panic.
This mini glossary is not for tourists who want to say “pizza” and “ciao”. This is for real situations. Airport, hotel, restaurant, pharmacy, and emergencies.
I’m an Italian teacher and I made this for my students who travel to Italy every year. Save it on your phone. These 50+ words and phrases will help you feel confident, avoid mistakes, and sound respectful to locals.
Let’s make sure your holidays is about gelato, not about stress.
2. AT THE AIRPORT AND ON THE TRAIN
This is where most tourists panic first. Signs are in Italian, announcements are fast, and you need to move quickly.
The most important word to know is “binario”. It means "platform". Every train in Italy leaves from a “binario”.
You will also hear “ritardo” a lot. It means “delay”.
Here are the 5 phrases you absolutely need:
1. Asking which platform
Say: Scusi, da che binario parte il treno per Firenze?”
Translation: "Excuse me, which platform does the train to Florence leave from?"
2. Confirming the train
Say: “Questo è il treno per Napoli?”
Translation: "Is this the train to Naples?"
3. Validating your ticket
Before you get on, you must “convalidare il biglietto”. Look for a small yellow or green machine.
Say: “Dove posso convalidare il biglietto?”
Translation: "Where can I validate the ticket?"
4. Asking about a delay
Say: Il treno ha ritardo?
Translation: "Is the train delayed?"
5. Asking for help at the ticket office
Say: Mi può aiutare? Devo andare a Venezia.
Translation: "Can you help me? I need to go to Venice."
Pro tip: Say Può parlare più lentamente, per favore?
Translation: "Can you speak more slowly, please?"
3. AT THE HOTEL
Check-in can be stressful if you don’t know the words. Hotels in Italy are super friendly once you try.
Key words: check-in, colazione, aria condizionata, asciugamano, Wi-Fi, chiave
1. Asking about breakfast
Say: A che ora è la colazione? È inclusa?
Translation: "What time is breakfast? Is it included?"
2. Asking for things in the room
Say: Potrei avere un altro asciugamano, per favore?
Translation: "Could I have another towel, please?"
Say: L’aria condizionata non funziona.
Translation: "The air conditioning is not working."
3. Asking for the Wi-Fi password
Say: Qual è la password del Wi-Fi?
Translation: "What is the Wi-Fi password?"
4. Checking out
Say: Vorrei fare il check-out, per favore.
Translation: "I would like to check out, please."
Cultural tip: In Italy, “colazione” is usually coffee and a pastry. Don’t expect eggs and bacon.
4. AT THE RESTAURANT
This is the most important part. Food is everything in Italy and this is where you’ll speak the most.
Key words: il menù, il conto, coperto, acqua naturale, acqua gassata, posso avere
1. Getting a table
Say: Un tavolo per due, per favore.
Translation: "A table for two, please."
2. Ordering water
In Italy, water is not free. Always specify:
Say: Vorrei un’acqua naturale, per favore.
Translation: "I would like still water, please."
Or: acqua gassata = sparkling water
3. Ordering food
Say: Posso avere gli spaghetti alla carbonara?
Translation: "Can I have the spaghetti alla carbonara?"
4. The #1 mistake: coffee after lunch
Italians NEVER drink cappuccino after 11am. After lunch, order: Un caffè, per favore. Translation: "An espresso, please."
5. Asking for the check
Say: Il conto, per favore.
Translation: "The check, please."
Tip: “Il coperto” is the cover charge. It’s normal.
5. SHOPPING AND ASKING PRICES
Whether it’s at a market or a shop, these phrases will save you.
Key words: quanto costa, posso pagare con carta, ha uno scontrino
1. Asking the price
Say: Quanto costa questo?
Translation: "How much is this?"
2. Paying
Say: Posso pagare con carta?
Translation: "Can I pay by card?"
Or: Pago in contanti.
Translation: "I’ll pay in cash."
3. Asking for a receipt
Say: Mi dà lo scontrino, per favore?
Translation: "Can I have the receipt, please?"
Cultural tip: In markets, don’t touch the fruit. Ask: Mi può dare un chilo di pomodori? Translation: "Can you give me a kilo of tomatoes?"
6. EMERGENCIES AND AT THE PHARMACY
Let’s hope you don’t need this, but it’s good to have.
Key words: farmacia, dottore, ospedale, mi fa male, cerotto
1. Finding a pharmacy
Say: Dov’è la farmacia più vicina?
Translation: "Where is the nearest pharmacy?"
2. At the pharmacy
Say: Ho mal di testa. Cosa mi consiglia?
Translation: "I have a headache. What do you recommend?"
Say: Avete un cerotto?
Translation: "Do you have a band-aid?"
3. Medical emergency
Say: Ho bisogno di un dottore.
Translation: "I need a doctor."
Say: Dov’è l’ospedale più vicino?
Translation: "Where is the nearest hospital?"
7. 5 LIFESAVER PHRASES FOR ANY SITUATION
Memorize these. Use them 10 times a day.
1. Non ho capito.
Translation: "I didn’t understand."
2. Può ripetere, per favore?
Translation: "Can you repeat, please?"
3. Può parlare più lentamente?
Translation: "Can you speak more slowly?"
4. Mi può aiutare?
Translation: "Can you help me?"
5. Come si dice... in italiano?
Translation: "How do you say... in Italian?"
8. CONCLUSION + CHALLENGE
Italy is easier when you have the right words. You don’t need perfect grammar to have an amazing trip. You just need to be understood and to understand others.
Print this glossary or keep it on your phone. Use one new phrase every day of your trip. Italians will appreciate the effort and they will help you even more.
Now it’s your turn: What situation in Italy scares you the most? The train? Ordering food? The pharmacy?
Comment below and I’ll give you 3 extra phrases just for that situation. Buon viaggio e buona fortuna!
