Italian for a weekend in Rome
Try one friendly Italian greeting, then keep a practical phrase sheet handy for your next Roman café, piazza, or train ride.
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Basic Italian phrases for travellers
Find the English phrase first, then practise saying it.
| You want to say | In Italian | Say it like |
|---|---|---|
| Hello & manners | ||
| Hi! / Bye! (casual) | Ciao! | chow |
| Good morning / good day. | Buongiorno | bwohn-JOR-noh |
| Good evening. | Buonasera | bwoh-nah-SEH-rah |
| Please. | Per favore | pehr fah-VOH-reh |
| Thank you. | Grazie | GRAHT-tsee-eh |
| You're welcome. | Prego | PREH-goh |
| Excuse me / sorry. | Mi scusi | mee SKOO-zee |
| Café & food | ||
| I would like… | Vorrei… | vohr-RAY |
| A coffee, please. | Un caffè, per favore. | oon kahf-FEH pehr fah-VOH-reh |
| Still water, please. | Acqua naturale, per favore. | AHK-wah nah-too-RAH-leh pehr fah-VOH-reh |
| The bill, please. | Il conto, per favore. | eel KOHN-toh pehr fah-VOH-reh |
| Getting around & paying | ||
| Where is…? | Dov'è…? | doh-VEH |
| The station. | La stazione | lah stah-TSYOH-neh |
| How much is it? | Quanto costa? | KWAHN-toh KOH-stah |
| Can I pay by card? | Posso pagare con la carta? | POHS-soh pah-GAH-reh kohn lah KAR-tah |
| If you need help | ||
| Do you speak English? | Parla inglese? | PAR-lah een-GLEH-zeh |
| Help! | Aiuto! | ah-YOO-toh |
Get ready to order your coffee with confidence. This phrase sheet is a useful start while the full Italian city-break course is in the works.
Pronunciation spellings are rough guides and need review by a native Italian speaker before publication.
Italian pronunciation in 60 seconds.
- 01
Italian vowels stay clear.
Say each written vowel distinctly. This helps make familiar travel phrases easier to understand.
- 02
Stress is part of the word.
The pronunciation guide uses capital letters to show the strongest syllable, as in caffè: kahf-FEH.
- 03
Double consonants are held a little longer.
In caffè, keep the doubled f sound clear rather than rushing through it.
- 04
Use buongiorno as a polite hello.
Ciao is friendly and informal. Buongiorno is a safer greeting with people you don't know.
Rome questions, answered.
What Italian phrases are useful in Rome?
Start with greetings, please and thank you, ordering a coffee, asking for the bill, and simple directions. These cover many everyday moments on a city break.
Is the TripYapper Rome course available?
The Rome course is being prepared. You can try the one-question Italian preview here and explore currently available courses in the app.
How do I order a coffee in Rome?
“Un caffè, per favore” is a simple way to ask for a coffee. In Italy, a caffè is typically an espresso.
Should I say ciao or buongiorno?
Ciao is informal. Buongiorno is a more polite choice when greeting someone you don't know in a shop or café.
Do I need to speak Italian to visit Rome?
No, but a few phrases can make cafés, shops, and transport easier. This guide gives you a practical starting point.