The 25 Most Common Italian Phrases You Actually Need

Look, if you're learning Italian, you're probably wondering which phrases you should focus on first. Smart question.

The thing is, most language learners waste time memorizing random vocabulary when they could be learning the phrases that actually come up in everyday conversation. I'm talking about the expressions you'll use when ordering coffee, greeting someone, or asking where the bathroom is.

So here's what I did: I researched the most commonly used Italian phrases across multiple sources, verified their actual usage, and ranked them by how useful they are for real-life situations. No fluff, no obscure phrases you'll never use—just the essentials.

Let's dive in.

The absolute essentials

These are the phrases you'll use multiple times per day if you're in Italy or talking to Italians. Learn these first.

1. Ciao

This is your go-to greeting among friends, family, and people your age. The cool thing about "ciao" is it works for both hello and goodbye. Dual-purpose efficiency.

You wouldn't use it with your boss or a stranger though—it's strictly informal. Save it for casual situations.

2. Buongiorno

This one means "good morning" or "good day," and unlike in English where we sometimes skip greetings, in Italy it's actually rude not to say "buongiorno" when you enter a shop, restaurant, or café.

Use it until around 3-4 PM, then switch to "buonasera."

3. Buonasera

"Good evening" or "good afternoon," depending on who you ask. The exact transition time from "buongiorno" to "buonasera" varies by region—some people switch at 3 PM, others wait until 6 PM. When in doubt, listen to what the locals are saying and follow their lead.

4. Grazie

Thank you. Pretty straightforward, but pronunciation matters. The "gr" sound at the beginning and the "z" need emphasis. Practice it until it sounds natural.

5. Prego

Here's where things get interesting. "Prego" is probably the most versatile word in Italian, and new learners always get confused by it.

The most common meaning is "you're welcome"—you say it in response to "grazie." But it also means:

The context tells you which meaning applies. If someone thanks you, it's "you're welcome." If you're holding a door open, it's "after you." If a shop clerk says it when you walk in, they're offering to help.

Once you get the hang of "prego," you'll realize why Italians use it constantly—it's efficient.

6. Per favore

This is "please" when you're asking for something. Use it for polite requests in any formal or informal setting. Note: this is different from "prego," which means "please" only when inviting or offering.

So: "Un caffè, per favore" (A coffee, please) vs. "Prego, si accomodi" (Please, sit down).

7. Scusi / Mi scusi

"Excuse me" in formal situations. Use this when you need to get someone's attention, apologize, or navigate through a crowd. It's your polite way of interrupting or asking for help.

8. Mi dispiace

"I'm sorry" or "I apologize." This is for actual apologies or expressing sympathy. Don't confuse it with "scusi," which is more about getting attention.

Greetings and farewells

9. Salve

A neutral greeting that works any time of day and falls between formal and informal. Use this when you're unsure whether to go casual or formal—it's a safe middle ground.

10. Arrivederci

The standard formal goodbye. Use it with people you don't know well or in professional settings. It's more polite than "ciao."

11. Buona giornata / Buona serata

"Have a nice day" and "have a nice evening." These add a warm touch when parting ways. Use "buona giornata" during the day and "buona serata" in the evening.

Meeting people

12. Mi chiamo...

"My name is..." This is how you introduce yourself. Simple and essential for any social interaction.

13. Piacere

"Nice to meet you" or "pleasure." Say this when meeting someone for the first time. You can also just say "piacere" on its own as a response when someone introduces themselves.

14. Come stai? / Come sta?

"How are you?" with informal and formal versions. "Come stai?" is for friends (using the "tu" form), and "come sta?" is for formal situations (using the "Lei" form).

Here's something important: unlike in English where "how are you?" is often just a greeting we don't expect an answer to, in Italian, if you ask "come stai?" people will actually tell you how they are and ask you back. It's a real question.

15. Come ti chiami? / Come si chiama?

"What's your name?" Again, informal and formal versions. If you're curious about learning phrases in other languages too, we've covered basic Japanese phrases that work the same way—having both casual and polite forms.

16. Di dove sei? / Di dov'è?

"Where are you from?" This is a common conversation starter, especially with tourists or new acquaintances. Locals love talking about their region, so this question can lead to good conversations.

Basic responses

17. Sì

Yes.

18. No

No.

These show up in every beginner curriculum because, well, you need them. Every language has these.

Getting around and asking questions

19. Dov'è...?

"Where is...?" This is essential for travelers. "Dov'è il bagno?" (Where is the bathroom?) will probably be one of your most-used phrases.

20. Quanto costa?

"How much does it cost?" Use this when shopping or dining. Italians appreciate it when you at least attempt the language, even if you're just asking about prices.

21. Non capisco

"I don't understand." Critical for when you hit a language barrier. Don't be embarrassed to say this—it's way better than pretending to understand and then doing the wrong thing.

22. Parla inglese?

"Do you speak English?" Your fallback when Italian isn't cutting it. Most Italians in tourist areas speak at least some English, but they'll appreciate that you tried Italian first.

Ordering and requesting

23. Vorrei...

"I would like..." This is the polite way to make requests in restaurants, shops, and service contexts. It's more courteous than a direct request.

"Vorrei un cappuccino" is better than just saying "un cappuccino."

24. Posso...?

"Can I...?" or "May I...?" Use this when asking permission. "Posso entrare?" (Can I come in?), "Posso avere il menu?" (Can I have the menu?), etc.

25. Il conto, per favore

"The check, please." Essential for dining out. In Italy, waiters won't bring you the bill until you ask for it—lingering over meals is part of the culture. When you're ready to leave, use this phrase.

Why these 25 phrases matter

These phrases cover the core situations you'll encounter: greetings, courtesy, basic questions, ordering, and social interaction. They're all at the A1 level (beginner) in the CEFR framework, which means they're fundamental for basic communication.

Master these 25, and you can navigate most everyday situations in Italian. You won't be fluent, but you'll be functional—and that's what matters when you're starting out.

The key is actually using them. Don't just memorize the list. Say them out loud. Use them in context. Practice the pronunciation. The more you use these phrases in real or simulated situations, the more natural they'll become.

And honestly? Once you nail the basics, you can move on to the fun stuff—like learning Italian curse words if you want to sound more like a native in casual conversation.

The Migaku approach to learning phrases

Here's the thing about learning phrases: memorizing a list is fine, but it's not enough. You need to see these phrases in context, in real Italian content, to truly understand how they're used.

That's where Migaku comes in. Instead of just drilling flashcards, we help you learn from authentic Italian content—movies, TV shows, YouTube videos, whatever you're interested in. You see phrases like "prego" used in multiple contexts, you hear the pronunciation from native speakers, and you start to pick up the subtle differences in tone and usage that no textbook can teach you.

Our tools make it easy to capture phrases you encounter, add them to your study deck with audio and context, and review them using spaced repetition. You're not just memorizing isolated phrases—you're learning how real people actually use them.

If you're serious about learning Italian (or any language), learning from things you're actually interested in makes all the difference. The 25 phrases above will get you started, but combining that foundation with immersion in real content? That's how you actually get good.

Try Migaku for free for 10 days and see how learning from context beats traditional methods every time.