Essential Italian vocabulary: 144 words to get you started

Getting familiar with essential Italian vocabulary can be a major confidence booster and a strong foundation for fluency. But which words and phrases really qualify as “essential”? We recommend starting with the most common Italian words and phrases you’ll need to travel, meet new people, or simply start a conversation.

We’ve curated a list of 144 words to help you broaden your vocabulary and speak with ease. Let’s dive into these core words and start your Italian journey on the right track!

Smiling girl, sitting on a dock in Venice, where she can practice her Italian vocabulary

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Greetings and basic conversation

We’ll start with some basic phrases to help you feel more comfortable in everyday conversations.

EnglishItalianPronunciation
Hello/GoodbyeCiaochow
Good morningBuongiornobwon-jor-no
Good eveningBuonaserabwon-ah-seh-rah
How are you?Come stai?koh-meh stai
I’m fineSto benestoh beh-neh
Thank youGraziegraht-see-eh
Please/You’re welcomePregopreh-goh
Yessee
NoNonoh
PleasePer favorepehr fah-voh-reh
My name is…Mi chiamo…mee kyah-moh
Excuse meScusiskoo-zee
I don’t understandNon capisconon kah-pee-skoh
Do you speak English?Parli inglese?pahr-lee een-gleh-zeh
See you soonA prestoah preh-stoh

Essential verbs and everyday actions

While we won’t dive into the three verb declensions in Italian (-are verbs, -ere verbs and -ire verbs), here’s a list of some verbs you’ll hear and use the most.

EnglishItalianPronunciation
to beesserees-seh-reh
to haveavereah-veh-reh
to goandarean-dah-reh
to do/to makefarefah-reh
to wantvolerevoh-leh-reh
to say/to telldiredee-reh
to knowsaperesah-peh-reh
to givedaredah-reh
to stay/to bestarestah-re
to seevedereveh-deh-reh
to eatmangiareman-jah-reh
to drinkberebeh-reh
to askchiederekyeh-deh-reh

For more on verbs, check out our comprehensive guide to the present tense in Italian. 

Numbers, days and time vocabulary

Memorizing numbers and time words is essential if you hope to make plans and talk about your daily activities. Here’s your starter pack:

Numbers in Italian from 1 to 20

EnglishItalianPronunciation
oneunooo-no
twoduedoo-eh
threetretreh
fourquattrokwah-troh
fivecinquecheen-kweh
sixseiseh-ee
sevensetteset-teh
eightottoot-toh
ninenoveno-veh
tendiecidyeh-chee
elevenundicioon-dee-chee
twelvedodicidoh-dee-chee
thirteentredicitreh-dee-chee
fourteenquattordicikwat-tor-dee-chee
fifteenquindicikween-dee-chee
sixteensedicise-dee-chee
seventeendiciassettedee-chas-set-teh
eighteendiciottodee-chot-toh
nineteendicianovedee-cha-noh-veh
twentyventiven-tee

Days of the week in Italian

Mondaylunedìloo-neh-dee
Tuesdaymartedìmar-teh-dee
Wednesdaymercoledìmer-koh-leh-dee
Thursdaygiovedìjee-oh-veh-dee
Fridayvenerdìveh-ner-dee
Saturdaysabatosah-bah-toh
Sundaydomenicadoh-meh-nee-kah

Times of the day in Italian

morningla mattinalah mah-tee-nah
afternoonil pomeriggioeel poh-meh-ree-jee-oh
eveningla seralah seh-rah
nightla nottelah not-teh
What time is it?Che ore sono?keh oh-reh soh-noh
It’s half past nine in the morning.Sono le nove e mezza del mattino.Soh-noh leh noh-veh eh meh-tsah del mah-tee-noh
It’s ten o’clock in the evening.Sono le dieci di sera.Soh-no leh dee-eh-chee dee seh-rah 

People and family terms

Family vocabulary in Italian is a must-have if you really want to get immersed in Italian social dynamics. Community and family are foundational aspects of Italian culture, so it’s a good idea to master these important terms:

EnglishItalianPronunciation
motherla madremah-dreh
fatheril padrepah-dreh
son/daughteril/la figlio/afeel-yoh/yah
brotheril fratellofrah-tel-oh
sisterla sorellasoh-rel-ah
grandpa/grandmail/la nonno/nonnanon-noh/nah
uncle/auntlo/la zio/iatsee-oh/ah
cousinil/la cugino/akoo-jee-noh/nah
nephew/niece/grandchildil/la nipotenee-poh-teh
childil/la bambino/abam-bee-noh/nah
friendl’ amico/aah-mee-koh/kah
partneril/la compagno/alom-pah-nee-oh/ah

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Food and dining out

You won’t spend a day among Italian people without talking at least once (and probably many times) about food. To that end, here are some of the most important food words in Italian.

EnglishItalianPronunciation
restaurantil ristoranteree-stoh-ran-teh
family-run restaurantla trattoriatrah-toh-ree-ah
menuil menùmeh-noo
waiter/waitressil/la camariere/akah-meh-ryeh-reh / rah
waterl’acquaahk-kwah
wineil vinovee-noh
breadil panepah-neh
cheeseil formaggiofor-maj-joh
saladl’insalataeen-sah-lah-tah
fishil pescepeh-sheh
meatla carnekar-neh
dessertil dolcedol-cheh
coffeeil caffèkah-feh
teail ièteh
appetizerl’antipastoan-tee-pah-stoh
first courseil primopree-moh
second courseil secondoseh-kon-doh
I would like…Vorrei…voh-ray
How much does it cost?Quanto costa?kwan-toh kos-tah
Could I have the bill, please?Mi porta il conto, per favore?mee por-tah eel kon-toh, pehr fah-voh-reh
Enjoy your meal!Buon appetito!bwon ah-peh-tee-toh

Common adjectives and descriptive phrases

Time to broaden your skills with a few useful adjectives! Here are some common ones you’ll often need in conversation.

EnglishItalianPronunciation
beautifulbello/abel-loh
goodbuono/abwoh-noh
biggrandegran-deh
smallpiccolo/apeek-koh-loh
oldvecchio/avehk-kee-oh
newnuovo/anwoh-voh
tallalto/aahl-toh
short (height)basso/abahs-soh
longlungo/aloon-goh
short (length)corto/akor-toh
easyfacilefah-chee-leh
difficultdifficiledee-fee-chee-leh

Common phrases for daily life

EnglishItalianPronunciation
Where is the bathroom?Dov’è il bagno?doh-veh eel ban-yoh
How do you say...?Come si dice...?koh-meh see dee-cheh
Can I help you?Posso aiutarti?pos-soh ah-yoo-tar-tee
I am lost.Mi sono perso/a.mee soh-no per-soh / sah
Could you repeat that?Potresti ripetere?poh-tres-tee ree-peh-teh-reh
I’m here for work.Sono qui per lavoro.soh-no kwee per lah-voh-roh
Where can I find...?Dove posso trovare...?doh-veh pos-soh troh-vah-reh
I am looking for...Sto cercando…stoh cher-kan-doh

Health and emergencies

EnglishItalianPronunciation
I need help!Ho bisogno d’aiuto!oh bee-zoh-nyo dee ah-yoo-toh
Where is the hospital?Dov’è l’ospedale?doh-veh loh-speh-dah-leh
I’m injured.Mi sono ferito/a.mee soh-no feh-ree-toh / tah
Call an ambulance!Chiamate un’ambulanza!kyah-mah-teh oon am-boo-lan-tsah
Where is the pharmacy?Dov’è la farmacia?doh-veh lah fahr-mah-chah
I’m allergic to…Sono allergico/a a...soh-noh ah-ler-jee-koh / kah
Is there a doctor here?C’è un medico qui?cheh oon meh-dee-koh kwee
I am diabetic.Sono diabetico/a.soh-noh dee-ah-bet-ee-koh / kah
Can you help me?Può aiutarmi?pwoh ah-yoo-tar-mee

Directions and transportation

It’s not literally true that all roads lead to Rome. If you need directions and your smartphone can’t help you, you’ll need to reach for human help. Here’s how.

EnglishItalianPronunciation
Where is the station?Dov’è la stazione?doh-veh lah stah-tsyoh-neh
Where is the (bus) stop?Dov’è la fermata?doh-veh lah fehr-mah-tah
To the rightA destraah deh-strah
To the leftA sinistraah see-nee-strah
Straight aheadDrittodree-toh
How much is a ticket?Quanto costa un biglietto?kwan-toh kos-tah oon bee-lyeh-toh
Is there a bus to…?C’è un autobus per…?cheh oon ow-to-boos pehr
Where is the train to…?Dov’è il treno per…?doh-veh eel treh-noh pehr
How far is it?Quanto dista?kwan-toh dee-stah

Weather and seasons

And if you ever find yourself seated next to a stranger alla fermata dell'autobus (at the bus stop), here are a few words of small talk to try out while you wait.

EnglishItalianPronunciation
What’s the weather like today?Che tempo fa oggi?keh tem-poh fah oh-jee
It’s sunnyC’è il solecheh eel soh-leh
Rainla pioggiala pee-oh-jee-ah
It’s cloudyCi sono nuvolechee soh-noh noo-voh-leh
It’s hotFa caldofah kal-doh
How cold!Che freddo!keh freh-doh
Winterl’invernoeen-vehr-noh
Springla primaverapree-mah-veh-rah
Summerl’estateeh-stah-teh
Autumnl'autunnoow-too-noh

FAQs

What are basic Italian words?

Some of the most basic Italian words are:

  • Ciao (Hello / Goodbye)
  • Grazie (Thank you)
  • Per favore (Please)
  • Scusa (Excuse me)
  • (Yes)
  • No (No)
  • Buongiorno (Good morning)
  • Arrivederci (Goodbye)
  • Prego (Please / You’re welcome)
  • Come stai? (How are you?)

How can I learn Italian vocabulary quickly?

The best way to learn Italian fast is:

  • Focus on essential vocabulary
  • Practice daily
  • Try to speak from Day One
  • Immerse yourself in the language
  • Learn grammar basics

What are some essential Italian verbs I should know?

  • essere (to be)
  • avere (to have)
  • fare (to do/to make)
  • andare (to go)
  • dire (to say/to tell)
  • vedere (to see)
  • mangiare (to eat)
  • volere (to want)
  • dare (to give)
  • sapere (to know)

Bravo! This is the beginning of an exciting journey.

Learning basic Italian vocabulary is essential for integrating into Italian communities. Knowing how to order food, ask for directions or start a conversation with a local is the first step toward a more fluent use of the language. Sooner than you think, you can immerse yourself in this beautiful culture and language!
At Lingoda, our structured Italian courses and small-group classes offer a personalized approach to learning, in which you can progress at your own pace. Our focus on real-life conversational skills helps you master practical expressions from Day One, so you can quickly get involved in authentic conversations. Take the first step towards fluency—explore Lingoda’s Italian courses today!

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Imanol Rodríguez Guridi

Imanol Rodríguez Guridi

Imanol Rodríguez Guridi is a Uruguayan polyglot writer with a moderate obsession for world music research. As a former Literature student who realized he should’ve aimed for Ethnography instead, he has spent serious amounts of time thoroughly traveling through over 40 countries, engaging with locals to a maximum degree with the hopes of understanding their traditions, habits, languages, religions, virtues and vices directly from the source. Writing and traveling aside, he’s an Abhyanga massage therapist and loves mixing music.