Basic Italian Phrases for Travelers: What to Say, With Pronunciation (2026)

These basic Italian phrases are the ones you will actually use on a first trip: in shops, at the table, on trains and when something goes wrong. Each comes with a simple pronunciation guide, and together they fit on one page you can save to your phone.

Last updated: September 25, 2026

Basic Italian phrases for greetings and good manners

Italians greet shopkeepers, bar staff and even the people in a small elevator. So a greeting is the first habit to pick up, and it changes the welcome you get.

Use ciao only with people you know or with younger people in casual places. With strangers, buongiorno and buonasera are always safe.

At the restaurant and the bar

In addition, remember that Italians rarely ask for the check to arrive on its own: you ask for it when you are ready. For what to leave on the table, read our guide to tipping in Italy. A food tour in Rome on your first night is also a good way to practice ordering with a guide beside you.

Shopping, directions and getting around

On the trains, the word you will see most is binario, platform. For the practical side of moving between cities, see our Italy travel tips and the Italy itineraries.

Numbers and time

Italy uses the 24-hour clock on timetables and opening hours, so a train at 18:30 leaves at 6:30 pm. Days of the week are useful too: lunedì (Monday), martedì, mercoledì, giovedì, venerdì, sabato and domenica (Sunday). Also note that many museums post chiuso, closed, for one weekday.

Basic Italian phrases for emergencies

The emergency number in Italy is 112. Pharmacies are marked with a green cross, and their staff can often help with minor problems.

Three pronunciation rules that do most of the work

1. Every vowel is pronounced. Grazie has three syllables, not two.
2. C and G soften before E and I. Ciao starts like “chow,” and gelato like “jeh.” With an H in between, they stay hard: chiuso is “KYOO-zoh.”
3. Double consonants are held longer. Pena means sorrow, while penne is pasta, so the difference is worth the effort.

Finally, a little history: modern standard Italian grew out of the Florentine dialect, which is why Tuscany is often called the home of the language. If you want to learn by cooking, a cooking class in Italy teaches the kitchen vocabulary along with the recipes.

Practice in real life. Words stick best when you use them. These guides give you the perfect moments to try.

• coffee in Italy: order at the bar like a regular.
• Italian breakfast: what Italians eat in the morning and how to order.
• aperitivo in Italy: drinks, regional styles and etiquette.
• trains in Italy: Trenitalia vs Italo, tickets, stations and strikes.
• Italian mineral water: naturale or frizzante, and how to order it.

Basic Italian phrases: frequently asked questions

What are the most useful basic Italian phrases for tourists?

Buongiorno (good morning), buonasera (good evening), per favore (please), grazie (thank you), scusi (excuse me), quanto costa? (how much is it?) and il conto, per favore (the check, please).

When do Italians switch from buongiorno to buonasera?

Usually from mid-afternoon. If in doubt, buongiorno until lunch is over and buonasera after that is a safe rule.

Is it rude to say ciao in Italy?

Not rude, but informal. Use it with friends and in casual places; with shopkeepers and older people, use buongiorno or buonasera.

Do people in Italy speak English?

In hotels, major museums and tourist areas, often yes. In small towns and family-run places, less so, which is where a few words of Italian help most.

What is the emergency number in Italy?

Dial 112 for emergencies.