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Saying ‘please’ in Italian is more than just using ‘per favore’. From ‘Per piacere’ to ‘Prego’ here are 9 ways to sound like a native Italian.
Being polite is very important in Italian culture, which is why knowing how to say ‘sorry’, ‘please’, ‘thank you’ and ‘you’re welcome’ should be among the first things you learn. These magic little words will make a huge difference in your relationship with native speakers and how you experience the country as you travel around.
However, there is no single translation of the word ‘please’ in Italian. As a beginner, you are probably familiar with the most commonly used translation, per favore. However, this is not the only way to say ‘please’ in Italian and the phrases you may need to use depend a lot on the tone of the conversation, the nature of the relationship between the speakers, context, urgency, and even regionality.
Saying ‘please’ in Italian is often more than just sticking a per favoreonto the end of your request. In this guide, you’ll learn how to say please in Italian in 9 different ways appropriate to various situations you’ll find yourself in.
Communicating with Italian native speakers
Bear in mind that most Italians do not speak much English, and if they do, it’s mostly a little maccheronico, or ‘macaronic’, from ‘macaroni’ (pasta): a form of broken English, heavily peppered with facial expressions, body language, and the inevitable hand gestures which are the signature of every Italian speaker.
English and Italian are quite different in their pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary, and Italians are often quite anxious when speaking English. If you learn a few key phrases in Italian, it will help you put your Italian friends at ease when talking to them so they can communicate more successfully and easily.
You don’t have to wait until you reach fluency – Italian native speakers will feel relieved and be grateful if you use even a few phrases in Italian when talking to them. I call this level between beginner and fluent, travel fluent. Italians are generally very welcoming to people trying to speak their mother tongue, they will often be glad to chat with you and help you practice, and you will establish a connection quite fast.
However, even with the basic phrases, it is important to take nuances and connotations into account: for instance, there are different ways of saying please in Italian that may be appropriate in different situations.
One of the best ways to begin learning Italian is to start with common everyday expressions such as saying hello and goodbye, please and thank you, ordering food at a restaurant, buying something at a store, and making small talk. This way you will not only learn some Italian words and phrases, but you will also be able to start communicating in your target language from day one.
This may sound a bit overwhelming, but don’t worry! By being patient and going step-by-step, you will surely master the beautiful Italian language. In this guide, I’ll help you with one of the first steps: learning how to say please in Italian.
Cominciamo! (Let’s begin!)
How to say ‘Please’ in Italian
In this guide, you will find different ways of saying please in Italian with translations, explanations, and important cultural notes.
1. Per favore
This is probably the most common way of saying please in Italian and it is definitely the first one most beginners are taught. Its meaning is quite straightforward: it can be literally translated as ‘for favor’ or ‘as a favor’, and it originally used to describe something done as a favour to someone. For example:
Non sono tenuto a farlo, ma lo farò ugualmente per favore.
Meaning: I don’t have to do it, but I will do anyway as a favour.
Over the years, this term became a common politeness formula used when asking for something. For example:
Hai da accendere, per favore?
Meaning: Do you have a lighter, please?
Or, for instance, at the table:
Mi puoi passare il sale, per favore?
Meaning: Can you pass me the salt, please?
Interestingly enough, in mail etiquette, the expression per favoreused to be stamped or handwritten on letters or parcels delivered personally by an assistant or middleman to the recipient, without the use of any sort of mailing service.
Generally, per favoreis indeed the most suitable expression to learn as a beginner in Italian. It is versatile and has no explicit social connotations or references to rank or hierarchy. It can be used by parents talking to their children and children talking to their parents, superiors talking to their subordinates and vice versa.
It can be used in an informal context, such as a conversation with a friend, or in a more formal setting, such as a business meeting or a job interview. However, it is rarely, if ever, used in formal written documents.
However, it is important to remember that not every English ‘please’ will be translated with an Italian equivalent – an altogether different phrase could be more appropriate and used instead. For example, translating ‘yes, please’ as ‘sì, per favore’ is not technically a mistake, but people just don’t say that. Instead, sì, grazie, which literally means ‘yes, thank you’, is used instead in Italian.
2. Per piacere
Per piacere is a close synonym of per favore and are both often perceived as interchangeable. Literally translated it means ‘for favor/courtesy/pleasure’, per piacere is also acceptable in the majority of situations.
However, there is one very subtle difference between the two phrases. With per favore the person asking for something is reminding you to do it as a favour to them, while with per piacerethe listener is asked to do something or provide something to their own advantage. It is more similar to the archaic and very polite English expression ‘If you please’ or ‘As you please’.
The expression per piacere also implies the benefit of the receiver, that they will be pleased by receiving something: the noun ‘piacere’ means ‘pleasure’ in Italian.
However, the difference between per favore and per piacereis extremely subtle and rarely conscious or intentional, so you can safely use whichever expression you prefer.
Here are a couple of examples:
Per piacere, non fate troppo rumore.
Meaning: Please, don’t make too much noise.
Per piacere, puoi venirmi a prendere alla stazione dei treni?
Meaning: Could you please pick me up at the train station?
3. Per cortesia
Compared to the previous two expressions, per cortesia is a more formal and slightly more old-fashioned way of saying please in Italian. If you want your request to sound slightly more formal and/or respectful, you can replace per favore with per cortesia. However, this difference is not too striking.
Italians prefer to use this expression when actually asking someone for a courtesy. For example:
Mi fa un caffé per cortesia?
Meaning: May I have a coffee, please?
A customer at a bar or a coffee shop can ask for their drink with a per favore or per piacere, as well, without any significant difference. But by choosing per cortesiaone can show a deeper sense of respect towards the barman or the barista and appreciation for their work.
When asked for something with a per cortesia, the listener might feel more motivated to give you what you ask for or provide you with an excellent service, as this expression implies a greater thankfulness towards the person giving you what you are asking for.
Here is another example:
Per cortesia, potrebbe portarmi il conto?
Meaning: Could you bring me the bill, please?
4. Cortesemente
Cortesementecan be translated as ‘courteously’ or ‘kindly’, however, in some contexts, translating it as ‘please’ is also suitable. ‘Cortesemente’ is used in written communication or in spoken situations that are quite formal. For extra emphasis, it can be combined with phrases like si prega and La prego.
Interestingly, adding cortesementemakes a sentence that would otherwise sound rather rude in English sound very polite in Italian. For example:
Cortesemente, mi servirebbe il fascicolo del signor Rossi.
Meaning: Courteously, I need Mr. Rossi’s file.
Saying ‘I need Mr. Rossi’s file’ – even with ‘please’ added to it – is not always an appropriate way to ask for something, and a more suitable option would be ‘Could I have Mr. Rossi’s file, please?’ However, in Italian, it is a perfectly acceptable polite formal request.
Cortesemente can, of course, also be used in polite interrogative sentences, as in the following example:
Potresti cortesemente passarmi il sale?
Meaning: Could you please pass me the salt?
As you have seen in the example above, per favorecan be used in the same context. This request, however, is much more formal. You can imagine that, while in the previous example we were at the table with a relative or a friend, in this case, we are having a business lunch, or we are eating with someone we deeply respect, don’t know well, or even fear.
Using cortesementebrings the conversation to a very formal written or spoken level. And on this note, we can safely say that it is mostly used in written communication rather than spoken one, such as in public signs and warnings, such as:
Cortesemente, chiudere il cancello.
Meaning: Kindly close the gate.
This is a generic request to whoever is using the gate, say, in a large apartment block; however, it is very polite and quite formal.
5. Gentilmente
Gentilmente is a close synonym of cortesemente, just a bit less formal and more friendly, possibly used in family situations or with people we know, when we want to be extra kind. It is rarely seen in a written form. Translated literally, it means ‘kindly’, ‘courteously’, ‘politely’.
It is often used in affirmative sentences, expressing a need that we want to be fulfilled. For example:
La prego gentilmente di spegnere il microfono.
Meaning: I kindly ask you to turn your microphone off.
In English, a similar effect is usually achieved by using a modal verb like in, ‘Could you please turn your microphone off?’
An interrogative sentence with a similar meaning is possible in Italian. For example:
Potrebbe cortesemente spegnere il microfono?
Meaning: Could you please turn your microphone off?’
However, it conveys a higher sense of urgency and denotes that, in some way, some sort of nuisance was created by this person’s microphone which needs to be addressed or solved immediately.
6. Ti prego, La prego, Vi prego
Pregois the first person singular conjugation of the Italian verb pregare (to ask, pray, beg), and by using one of these expressions, we are practically begging for something. Ti prego (I beg you [informal]), La prego (I beg you [formal]), or Vi prego (I beg you [plural]) expresses a deep need for something as if we were asking for something our life literally depends on or something we strongly desire – it can sound quite dramatic, so make sure not to overuse it.
Quite often, choosing this expression reflects our feeling that the person we are begging for something is not keen on doing us a favour: like, for instance, a teenager begging their parents for a night out, or someone begging for mercy in a desperate situation – which means it is probably not the best phrase to use in a cafe or any other typical every-day situation.
However, if you need what you are asking for really badly, or if you have asked for it multiple times and/or your chances of getting it are slim, this may be just the phrase you need.
Ti prego, fammi usare la tua auto!
Sounds almost like: I’m begging you, let me use your car! Rather than a simpler and less urgent: Please, let me use your car.
Which, in Italian, would be: Per favore, fammi usare la tua auto.
The request made with the use of per favoreis definitely less urgent and desperate.
Judging by the choice of words alone, we can sometimes see the whole situation quite clearly. For example:
Mamma, ti prego, fammi andare al concerto!
Meaning: Mom, please (I’m begging you), let me go to the concert!
This is probably a teenager, who has been asking their mom to go to this concert for quite a while and has heard a lot of ‘no’s’. However, they still really really want to go, and all of their friends are going too.
Or, the other way around, an exhausted parent might be asking their child:
Marco, ti prego, finisci i compiti!
Meaning: Marco, I’m begging you, finish your homework!
We immediately know that Marco has been putting off doing his homework for quite some time and he probably does it regularly – his mom or dad is not just annoyed, but exasperated.
In using this expression, the tone and level of respect are signalled by the choice of pronoun ti, la, or vi: as you probably already know, Italians differentiate these direct object pronouns while in English all of them can be translated as ‘you’.
If you choose ti, you are talking to someone you know quite well, like a friend, a coworker, or a family member. La indicates distance and respect, it is chosen when addressing older people, teachers, our superiors, strangers, especially in a formal or professional context. Vican be chosen as an equivalent of ti when we are talking to multiple people (the English ‘you’ in the second person, plural).
Vi can also demonstrate a higher level of distance and politeness than La, however, this is rarely seen nowadays. It is mostly used in the Southern regions of the country, to show an extreme form of respect. It used to be the way of addressing royalties, members of the Church, ambassadors, and consuls, but in the past century, it came to be associated with the fascist regime and Mussolini’s dictatorship, and this is the main reason why it has been progressively abandoned by the average Italian speaker.
7. Si prega di… / Siete pregati di…
The expressions Si prega di… and Siete pregati di…use the same verb pregare (to beg) as in the previous section but in its impersonal form. It is very rarely used in speech, you will mostly come across it in written form and in a rather formal context.
Si prega di… is a rather ceremonious, official and polite way of requesting something. It is not directed at any specific person, but at the public in general – that is why it is most commonly used for various instructions, rules, and prohibitions.
You may see it written on billboards, notice boards, signs, and in users’ manuals, in schools, universities, and public offices, on public transportation, in industrial and commercial settings, too; you may hear it only on special, very formal occasions, on the TV or the radio, in official speeches intended for a wide audience.
The second version of this expression, Siete pregati di…, is a little more direct as it addresses a generic second plural person, sounding slightly less formal and more straightforward, but still fairly impersonal and official.
A voice message on a speaker at a store might warn you that it’s almost closing time with a message like this:
Si prega la gentile clientela di avvicinarsi all’uscita.
Meaning: We invite our kind customers to approach the exit.
In Italian, this sounds extremely polite and well-mannered while it is still asking you to quickly finish doing your shopping and leave the place as soon as possible.
On a train or a bus, for instance, a sign might warn you that you are not allowed to smoke, in a polite way, such as:
Si prega di non fumare or Siete pregati di non fumare
Which we could translate to: ‘Please do not smoke’ rather than the usual ‘no smoking’ which is more direct and straight to the point, but could sound a little rude to the Italian ear.
As you may remember, politeness is extremely important in Italian culture – even when imposing strict rules.
8. Prego
Pregoliterally means ‘I pray’ or ‘I beg’, and it may seem like an unusual way to say please in Italian. The more common use of ‘prego’ is in reply to grazie(thank you), as an equivalent of the English ‘you are welcome’. However, in certain contexts, it is also an equivalent of the English ‘please’.
Unlike the examples above, ‘prego’ is not used to ask questions or make requests. It becomes the Italian equivalent of please when the speaker is making an invitation or giving someone permission to do or take something.
For example, when a friend is inviting us to their place, we may hear something like:
Prego, entrate.
Meaning: Please, come in.
Later on, when gathering in the dining room, the hosts might invite us to sit down at a specific spot with a polite:
Prego, si sieda qui.
Meaning: Please, sit down here.
On the phone or at the reception, talking to a secretary or a nurse, you might be addressed with a: Prego, mi dica
Which invites you to explain what you need, and can be literally translated as: Please, tell me
Once again, it is a rather formal way of saying please in Italian, but still very effective and polite.
9. Per carità
Calling this a way of saying please in Italian is a bit of a long stretch, but it is still worth mentioning. Per caritàliterally means ‘by charity’, and it is mostly used as an exclamation: the person using it is most likely overwhelmed, annoyed, or wants to emphasize what is going on.
This expression usually corresponds to the English ‘for goodness’ sake!’, but occasionally it can be used as a very expressive, even dramatic ‘please’, as in:
Smettetela per carità!
Meaning: Stop it, please / Stop it for goodness’s sake!
Through this choice of words, you can clearly feel the exasperation of the speaker.
A famous example is from the opera buffa The Barber of Seville (Italian: Il barbiere di Siviglia), when Figaro is asking his patrons to come in for his services one at a time:
Uno alla volta, uno alla volta, uno alla volta per carità!
Meaning: One at a time, one at a time, one at a time, I beg you, please!
The song by Gioacchino Rossini is a popular example of Italian opera, one of the biggest points of pride and passion for Italian people.
Listen to this extract from the 3:36 minute mark.
Quotes and more examples
Similar to the example above, there are lots of songs, poems, books, and movies that can help you memorize these ways of saying please in Italian and give you practical examples of their uses. Let’s take a look at a few!
In her famous hit La Solitudine from 1993, Laura Pausini sings:
Ti prego aspettami amore mio.
Meaning: Please wait for me, my love.
With the choice of ti prego, it sounds close to desperate begging, which is quite common for love songs.
Many children’s books teach the importance of the magic polite words, such as Chiedi per favore, where a rude hippo needs to learn to ask kindly for what he wants in a conversation that goes as follows:
Dammi un palloncino. — Chiedi per favore!
Meaning: Give me a balloon. — Ask, please!
Because it’s never too early to learn good manners!
Saying ‘thank you’ in Italian
You can’t truly learn how to say please in Italian without also learning to say thank you. After all, if you ask someone to do you a favour and they do it, you need to thank them for it!
You’ve seen above that there are many ways of saying please in Italian – there are at least as many, if not more, ways to say thank you. But there is one key word at the heart of most of them: grazie (thank you).
Attenzione! (Be careful!) Don’t confuse ‘grazie’ with ‘grazia’ which means ‘grace’ while ‘grazie’ is the plural form of this noun which has become the most common way of saying thank you in Italian.
Similar to per favore, grazieis a versatile expression – it can be used to thank anyone, anywhere, at any time. But if you want to be more expressive or add a certain flavour to your ‘thank you’, you can add many different words to grazie:
- Grazie mille / Mille grazie. – Thank you very much / A million thanks (Thanks a million).
- Grazie tante. – Thanks a lot. / Many thanks
- Grazie di tutto. – Thanks for everything.
- Grazie di cuore. – Thanks from the heart.
- Grazie di nuovo. – Thanks again.
- Grazie infinite. – Infinite thanks.
In a formal situation, you can also say
La ringrazio tanto.
Meaning: Thank you very much.
And, of course, if someone says grazieto you, don’t forget to reply with a ‘prego’ (you are welcome) to be polite.
To sum it all up
There are many ways of saying please in Italian: some are more versatile, like per favore, others are more formal, emotional, or even dramatic.
If you are just beginning to learn Italian, starting with the most common option is totally fine. However, if you want to be more fluent in Italian, communicate with native speakers on many topics, and be able to understand and convey nuanced meanings, a simple per favoremay not be enough.
Italian is a beautiful language with hundreds of nuanced expressions for different situations. Now you know the ones that will help you say please in Italian and be polite in any formal or informal context.
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Which of these phrases do you use the most? Which expression will you start using more? Let me know using thecomments section below or join me on social media to start a conversation.
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FAQs
How do you say please in Italian phonetically? ›
Per favore (pronounced: PEHR fah-VOH-reh) You'll use this phrase often to say please.
How do you answer di dove sei in Italian? ›To respond to either of these questions, you can simply say: Sono (first person of verb essere 'to be') + di (of) + Torino (city name).
What is the meaning of tutto bene? ›– Tutto bene? – Tutto bene. : –Is everything alright? –Everything's fine.
How do you respond to tutto bene? ›When you're asked “Tutto bene?”, you can answer: SI, GRAZIE! A TE? – Yes, thanks!
What is a popular Italian saying? ›Here are some famous Italian sayings: a caval donato non si guarda in bocca (don't look a gift horse in the mouth), chi dorme non piglia pesci (you snooze, you lose), parla bene, ma parla poco (speak well, but speak little), tutto è bene ciò che finisce bene (all is well that ends well).
What is the Italian response to Prego? ›It presumably is because of this original meaning (the verb “to pray”) that “prego” has become the instant reply to “grazie”, which means “thanks”.
What does tutto grazie mean? ›Grazie di tutto (“thanks for everything”)
Grazie di tutto.”
That's all well and good. Bene, fin qui tutto bene. All right, so far so good.
What does va bene mean in Italian? ›O.K., okay [interjection, adjective, adverb] all right. righto, right-oh [interjection] right. (Translation of va bene from the PASSWORD Italian–English Dictionary © 2014 K Dictionaries Ltd)
What does va bene mean in Italian slang? ›Italian Phrase of the Week: Va bene. (Fine. / Okay. / Alright.) - Daily Italian Words.
What does tutto è bellissimo mean? ›
Tutto e bellissimo by Alberto Giurioli - The title of this piece means 'Everything is beautiful' in Italian and was composed only a few years ago.
What does di molto bene mean? ›K. If you'd like to say “very good” in Italian, you'd generally say “molto bene.” That said, there are some common informal and/or slang expressions that convey the same idea: benissimo.
What does tutto molto bella mean? ›Translation of "tutto molto bello" in English. all very nice. all well and good.
What does Scifo mean in Italian? ›it's disgusting! fare schifo (cibo, insetto) to be disgusting; (libro, film) to be dreadful or awful. mi fai schifo you make me sick.
Why do Italians say allora? ›Allora (so, then, well) is one of those filler words that's highly useful when thinking of what to say in Italian. It buys you a little time and tells the listener you're thinking things over, especially when used by itself, or to introduce a sentence. Used by itself, it can express impatience: Allora!
What is ciao Bella mean? ›What does ciao bella mean? Ciao bella is an informal Italian expression literally meaning “goodbye (or hello), beautiful.”
What is proper Italian goodbye? ›How do Italian people say goodbye? The most common way to say goodbye in Italian is "arrivederci". It can be used both in informal and formal contexts. You can also use "arrivederla" in more formal environments.
What does tutto il mondo mean? ›worldwide [adjective, adverb] (extending over or found) everywhere in the world.
How do you respond to Buon Giorno? ›How do you reply to Buongiorno? As a general rule, when someone addresses you, you should respond with the greeting they have chosen. If they say "Buongiorno," respond similarly, and if they say "Ciao," do the same. If you have to greet someone, it is recommended to be formal rather than informal.
What's Dolce Vita? ›Italian, literally, sweet life.
What do Italians say when they are annoyed? ›
Arrabbiato means angry in Italian. It comes from rabbia (anger) and it can be used in all kinds of situations. A slang word for the same feeling is incavolato or the slightly more rude incazzato. If something 'makes you angry', use the construction “mi fa arrabbiare/incavolare/incazzare”.
What is Pooh in Italian? ›pooh {interjection}
puah {interj.}
Piacere means to like. It is one of the most common verbs in Italian.
What does Ragu mean in Italian? ›noun. [ masculine ] /ra'ɡu/ meat sauce. spaghetti al ragù spaghetti with meat sauce.
How do you respond to sorry in Italian? ›- Nessun problems – No problem.
- Non si preoccupi – Don't worry (formal)
- Non ti preoccupare – Don't worry (informal)
- Lasci stare – Forget about it (formal)
- Lascia stare – Forget about it (informal)
- Non è successo niente – Nothing happened.
- Non fa niente – It does not matter.
The Italian phrase, molte grazie, is pretty much what it sounds like. Molte means “many,” so this is the Italian version of “many thanks” that you might hear in various languages and is typically employed for informal exchanges.
Why do Italians say Grazia? ›This is a very common way to express gratitude which you can use in every occasion, both casual and formal. Even if you say a simple grazie and accompany it with a nice and friendly tone you'll be sure to efficiently convey your message. Grazie is the equivalent for “Thanks” or “Thank you”.
What does prima di tutto mean? ›prima di tutto first of all.
What does Mangia Tutto mean in Italian? ›Welcome to Mangia Tutto ~ Italian for “Eat Everything”
What is the Italian saying to do nothing? ›Italians have a famous saying, “Dolce far Niente”, which means “the sweetness of doing nothing.” It does not refer to being lazy, it refers to the similar saying “take the time to smell the roses” and the pleasure one gets from being idle.
What does Sita mean in Italian? ›
Italian: from the dialect term sita 'arrow shaft; plowshare' presumably used for a maker or user of such items. Alternatively it may be related to the term sitare 'exude a bad smell'. Italian (southern): from Greek sēta 'sieve' probably applied to a sieve maker.
What is the Italian word for OK? ›In the Italian language, “Ok” means “Va bene.” Although it is an English word, “Ok” has become a pretty common Italian word with time. It is often used in other languages.
What is come ti chiami in Italian? ›Italian Phrase of the Week: Come ti chiami? (What is your name?)
What is slang for yes Italian? ›If you'd like to say “yes” in Italian, you'd generally say “sì.” In some situations you could also use “certo,” which means certainly/definitely/sure but which implies “yes.”
What is the meaning noi in Italian? ›Noi is the equivalent of 'we': Noi studiamo italiano ('We study Italian') Voi is the equivalent of 'you' plural (you all): Voi chi siete? ('Who are you [all]?
What is io tu in Italian? ›Since the ending of the verb is enough to tell us who is doing something, "I, you, she, he, we, they" are used in Italian far less often than in English. io. I. tu. you.
What does tutto è possibile mean? ›There is a wonderful Italian phrase: Tutto E Possibile. “Everything is possible.”
What does famiglia su tutto mean? ›La Famiglia e Tutto Sign - Italian saying meaning "Family is Everything", Home Wall Decor Sign, Italian Quote, Italian sign, Wall art decor. SunFla. Star Seller.
What does tutto rosso mean? ›Tuttorosso, meaning “all red”, is a word that has inspired three generations of traditional Italian cooking. Offering a variety of styles and flavors, some of our favorite Tuttorosso products include – Tuttorosso Whole Peeled Tomatoes, Tuttorosso Crushed Tomatoes with Basil, and Tomato Puree.
How do you respond to Grazie Molto? ›The response to grazie that you're most likely to use or hear is prego (you're welcome), or you could say di niente (not at all). For greater emphasis you can use s'immagini or si figuri in the formal form, and figurati informally (don't mention it).
What does mi casa bella mean? ›
Its initial name was La Casa Bella (The Beautiful Home).
What does tutto pazza mean? ›And at Tutto Pazzo, which is Italian for “Totally Crazy,” they pack a lot of wow, pow, ciao per square inch.
What does fa schifo mean? ›Alternatively, you can call something schifoso (disgusting), judge it una schifezza (a disgusting thing), or say that it fa schifo (disgusts you).
What does cumar mean in Italian? ›If a man has a cumare, the word means mistress. Fans of “The Sopranos” will remember that Uncle June had a cumare (I believe he stashed her in Boca).
Why do Italian waiters say Prego? ›To say you're welcome in Italian
When someone says “thank you”, Italians reply with prego. That's how you say “you're” welcome in Italian.
(southern Italy) a diminutive of the male given name Salvatore (“Savior”)
Do Italians say I love you casually? ›Ti amo is “I love you” in Italian
Ti amo implies lots of commitment and a level of intimacy that, like Parmigiano Reggiano, should never be thrown around casually in the Italian language. However, use it correctly as part of a couple, and you'll definitely be rewarded.
Meaning:Honey, sugar. Ciccio is a boy's name of Italian origin. Meaning "honey" and "sugar," this name is for the baby that is sweet as pie.
What does Cara mean in Italy? ›[ kar-uh ] SHOW IPA. / ˈkær ə / PHONETIC RESPELLING. noun. a female given name: from an Italian word meaning “dear one.”
How do you say hot girl in Italian? ›- ragazza sexy f.
- bella ragazza f.
- ragazza calda f.
How do I respond to Arrivederci? ›
How do you respond? You should be responding, “Grazie e arrivederci.” Which means “Thank you and goodbye.”
What do Italians say when they greet each other? ›The common verbal greeting is “Ciao” (Hello). This is quite casual. People may also say “Buongiorno” (Good day) or “Buonasera” (Good evening) to be more formal. Address a person by their title and last name, and continue to do so until invited to move to a first-name basis.
What is Grazie Prego? ›The most common translation is 'you're welcome': prego is what you say when someone else thanks you. – Grazie mille! – Prego. – Thanks very much! – You're welcome.
What does il mio padre mean? ›mio padre my father. il padre di Roberto Roberto's father.
What does il ya des fleurs mean? ›Il y a une fleur - There is a flower Il y a des fleurs - There are [..] flowers.
What does ti do il mio cuore mean? ›Ti do il mio cuore – “I give you my heart.”
What do you reply to Ciao Bella? ›Of course, when you're introduced to someone, you need to know how to reply. People usually simply say piacere (nice to meet you), whether in formal or informal situations. Piacere – Piacere. Nice to meet you.
Do Italians say salve or Ciao? ›= “Hi/Hello!” or “Bye/Goodbye!” Ciao is the informal way of saying hello and goodbye. It is the most common way of greeting in Italy. Salve = the formal way of saying hello.
What is vino dolce? ›Vino Dolce means "Sweet Wine" in Italian and is our version of a Port.
What does Dolce mean in Italy? ›Italian, literally, sweet, from Latin dulcis — more at dulcet.
What is Dolce del Giorno? ›
Dolce del Giorno (Dessert of the day) TORTA NEGRITA. Almond and chocolate sponge filled with apricot jam and covered with a dark chocolate glaze. Come and eat with us 🇮🇹
What do Italians find rude? ›It is improper to put one's hands on one's lap, or to stretch one's arms while at the table. Resting one's elbows on the table is also considered to be poor manners. Do not leave the table until everyone has finished eating. Drinking beverages other than water or wine with a meal is quite uncommon.
What is a rude thing to say in Italian? ›Cretino — “Fool.” Perhaps this one feels super satisfying rolling off the tongue because it sounds like “cretin.” Deficiente — “Moron.” As in: you're so dumb, you're deficient! Dito nel culo — If someone is a “finger in your butt,” it means, well, that they're a real pain (or annoyance) in the ass.
What are Italian insult slang words? ›- Accidenti! - Damn it, holy smoke! ( lit. ...
- Porca vacca! - Holy cow! ( lit. ...
- Porca miseria! - For God's sake, for Goodness' sake (lit. pig misery)
- Porco cane! - For God's sake! ( lit. ...
- Cavolo! - Holy smoke! ( lit. ...
- Col cavolo! - No way! (lit. ...
- Madonna! - Good God! ( lit. ...
- Madonna santa! - Good God! ( lit.
Perhaps the most colloquial and personal expression to say how are you in Italian. Literally, butta is the third person singular of the verb buttare (to throw). The meaning is very similar to come vanno le cose?, but it's often used between longtime friends.
What does Bobo mean in Italian? ›boba [ˈbobu , ˈboba] adjective. silly , daft.
What does Dinky mean in Italian? ›carino {adj.} dinky (also: pretty)
How do you politely ask for something in Italian? ›Per Favore
Now let's see how we can be polite when asking for something. “Per favore” is a phrase that opens every door. “Per favore” [per fa-vo-reh] with the stress on “vo”, means “please” and can go before or after the request.
Our Italian Wall Plaque with the words Mangia e Statti Zitto, which means Shut Up and Eat, is a perfect accent for your Italian or Tuscan theme kitchen.
How do you say please in Sicilian? ›...
Useful phrases in Sicilian.
| English | lu sicilianu (Sicilian) |
|---|---|
| Please | Pi fauri |
| Thank you | Grazij |
| Reply to thank you | Di nenti |
What does mi scusi mean? ›
scusami or scusa or mi scusi (I'm) sorry; (più formale) I beg your pardon.
Do Italians say scusi? ›Italian phrases: Scusi/scusa (excuse me)
Use scusi to address an older person or someone who you do not know; scusa for a peer, friend, or younger person. And if you're going to be entering the home of an Italian, says Torriani, you should say permesso.
- It is common for Italian friends and families to kiss on the cheek when they meet, irrespective of their gender.
- Stand up out of respect when an older person enters the room.
- It is important to dress neatly and respectfully.
- Cover your mouth when yawning or sneezing.
- Hats should be removed indoors.
You use "prego" to say "you're welcome", to give permission, to invite someone in, or to ask to repeat something.
What does Prego mean in Sicilian? ›/'preɡo/ (risposta / invito) please / you're welcome , after you , don't mention it. - “Grazie mille” – “prego” “Thank you so much” – “You're welcome” Prego, si accomodi!
What does basta mean in Sicilian? ›The basta gesture means basta!, "enough!" You do it by crossing and uncrossing your arms on a flat plane level with your chest.