Common Words and Phrases

Courteous phrases
Being polite is just as important in Italy as anywhere else in this world. The following words and phrases cover most of the pleasantries required for polite conversation. After all, learning to say the expressions of common courtesy in Italian before traveling is just good manners.

sì yes
no no
per favore; per piacere; per cortesia please
Grazie Thank you
Molte grazie Thank you very much
Prego! You're welcome!
Si figuri! It's nothing
Mi scusi Excuse me
prego by all means

Practice

Personal pronouns
Once you've mastered the common pleasantries, the next important thing to learn is how to refer to people. The most common way is by using personal pronouns. In Italian, the pronouns (you and they) are complicated by gender and formality. You'll use slightly different variations of these words depending to whom you are referring and how well you know them.

Io I
lui he
lei she
noi we
tu you [singular]
lei you [singular/formal]
voi you (plural/informal]
loro you (plural/formal]
loro they

Use the informal tu (singular you) and voi (plural you) for friends, relatives, younger people, and people you know well. Use the formal lei (singular you) when speaking to people you don't know well; in situations such as in stores, restaurants, hotels, or pharmacies); and with professors, older people, and your friends' parents.
The formal Loro (plural you) is rarely used and is gradually being replaced by the informal voi when addressing a group of people.

NAZIONALITÀ e PROVENIENZA - Informale

A: Sei Italiana?
B: Sì, sono di Roma. E tu da dove vieni?
A: Vengo da Milano.

NAZIONALITÀ e PROVENIENZA - Formale

A: Scusi, lei è Tedesca?
B: No sono Austriaca, e lei di dov'è?
A: Io sono Tedesca, ma abito in Italia. Lei dove abita?
B: Abito a Vienna.

By mastering the basics of conversation in Italian, you put yourself and the person you're talking to at ease. Everyone should learn essential Italian conversational words and phrases before traveling to Italy. These words and expressions are sure to come up in most everyday conversations.