Be aware that some of these phrases might sound a little different in other parts of Italy; that’s normal!
Before I came to Milan, knowing the basics would’ve been far more useful than my 300-day arrest on Duolingo (please don’t get mad at me, Duo). While my Duolingo phrases have come in handy here and there, actually learning even 10 of these before arriving would’ve made life so much easier. So, here’s your quick survival list, and trust me, it’ll take you far. You got it. Travel on!
Everyday Greetings
Ciao! Ciao! Arrivederci! Buongiorno, Buon Pomeriggio, Buonasera, Buonanotte.
Hi! Bye! Good morning (5 am–11:59 am), good afternoon (12 pm–4:59 pm), good evening (5 pm–9 pm), good night (10 pm–4:59 am).
Tutto bene?
All good? (A casual, friendly check-in you’ll hear everywhere.)
Come stai? Bene :), così così :|, male :(
How are you? Good, okay, or bad.
Piacere!
Nice to meet you!
Come ti chiami? Mi chiamo Kashaf. E tu?
What’s your name? My name is Kashaf. And you?
Polite Basics
Grazie! / Grazie mille!
Thank you! / Thank you so much!
Prego!
You’re welcome!
Scusi / Scusa.
Excuse me.
Permesso!
Coming through!
Mi dispiace!
I’m sorry.
Potrebbe ripetere, per favore?
Could you please repeat that?
Ho bisogno di aiuto, per favore!
I need help, please!
Parla inglese?
Do you speak English?
Sì! / No.
Yes! / No.
Non capisco. / Capisco.
I don’t understand. / I understand.
Getting Around
Dov’è…?
Where is…?
Dov’è il bagno?
Where is the bathroom?
Dove posso trovare…?
Where can I find…?
Mi sono perso/a!
I’m lost!
(Please only say this to someone official, not a random person. Be safe!)
Entrata / Uscita / Sinistra / Destra / Avanti / Dietro.
Entrance / Exit / Left / Right / Forward / Back.
Andata / Ritorno.
One-way / Return.
Un biglietto, per favore.
One ticket, please.
Shopping & Dining
Quanto costa?
How much does it cost?
Posso pagare con la carta?
Can I pay by card?
Accettate Apple Pay?
Do you accept Apple Pay?
Io prendo un caffè macchiato e un cornetto, per favore.
I’ll have a caffè macchiato and a croissant, please.
Note: macchiatos after 12 pm are practically unthinkable here, but if you don’t care about judgmental looks, go for it.
Sono allergica/o a… pesce, latticini, glutine.
I’m allergic to fish, dairy, gluten.
Per me…
For me…
Ho fame / Ho sete.
I’m hungry / I’m thirsty.
Social & Everyday Conversation
Cosa studi?
What do you study?
Dove studi?
Where do you study?
Dove sei? Stati Uniti, Pakistan, Cina, Francia, ecc.
Where are you from? United States, Pakistan, China, France, etc.
Cosa fai nel tempo libero? Gioco a calcio, corro, dormo, cucino, leggo…
What do you like to do in your free time? I play soccer, run, sleep, cook, read…
Il mio amico / La mia amica / I miei amici.
My friend / female friend / my friends.
Come si dice… in italiano, inglese?
How do you say… in Italian, English?
Anch’io!
Me too / same / likewise.
Bomba!
Cool!
Va bene!
Alright! / Sounds good! / Okay!
Numbers & Little Extras
Basic numbers (1–20):
Uno, due, tre, quattro, cinque, sei, sette, otto, nove, dieci, undici, dodici, tredici, quattordici, quindici, sedici, diciassette, diciotto, diciannove, venti.
Salute!
Bless you! (For when someone sneezes, not a toast… unless you’re holding a glass.)
Whether you’re ordering a coffee, finding your way through the metro, or trying not to panic when someone speaks too fast, these phrases will get you through Milan just fine.
You got it. Travel on!
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Kashaf Iftikhar
Hi, I’m Kashaf—a first-generation Pakistani-American. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, shadowboxing, reading non-fiction novels, and volunteering. I can’t wait to share my journey in Milan, one cappuccino at a time!
