Easy Learning Italian Conversation
I ought to…
Dovrei fare ancora benzina.I ought to get some more petrol.Dovrei confermare il volo.I ought to confirm my flight.Dovremmo essere in stazione alle sette.We ought to be at the station at seven.Another way of saying what you must do is to use bisogna che (it is necessary that) followed by the subjunctive. For more information about the subjunctive, see here.
I must…
Adesso bisogna proprio che vada in stazione.I really must go to the station now.Bisogna che lo chiamiamo domani mattina.We must call him tomorrow morning.Bisogna che ritiri i biglietti in agenzia.I must pick up the tickets from the travel agent’s.SAYING WHAT YOU WANT TO DO
When you are travelling, you may want to say what you would like to do in Italian. You can use vorrei (I’d like) or voglio (I want) with the infinitive. They both come from the verb volere (to want). For more information on volere, see here.
I want to…
Voglio andare a Torino.I want to go to Turin.Voglio scendere a Verona.I want to get off at Verona.Voglio cambiare il biglietto.I want to change my ticket.Vogliamo partire domani mattina.We want to leave tomorrow morning.I don’t want to…
Non voglio viaggiare in prima classe.I don’t want to travel first class.Non voglio andare fin là a piedi.I don’t want to walk all the way there.Non voglio perdere la coincidenza.I don’t want to miss my connection.I’d like to…
Vorrei noleggiare una bici.I’d like to hire a bike.Vorrei andarci in barca.I’d like to go by boat.Il mio amico vorrebbe denunciare lo smarrimento del bagaglio.My friend would like to report his luggage missing.You can also use desidero (I would like), which is slightly more formal. This comes from desiderare (to want). For more information on -are verbs like desiderare, see here.
I would like…
Desidero un biglietto di sola andata in prima classe.I would like a single ticket, first class, please.Desideriamo prenotare un tavolo al vagone ristorante.We would like to reserve a table in the dining car, please.If you want to say that you feel like doing something, say ho voglia di or mi va di (I feel like). ho comes from the verb avere and va comes from andare. For more information on avere and andare, see here and here.
I feel like…
Ho voglia di passare per Fiesole.I feel like going via Fiesole.Ho proprio voglia di andare a Portofino.I quite fancy going to Portofino.Non ho nessuna voglia di passare sei ore in treno.I really don’t feel like spending six hours on the train.Mi va di spezzare il viaggio.I feel like breaking the journey.Non mi va di passare un’altra notte qua.I don’t feel like spending another night here.MAKING SUGGESTIONS
You may wish to make a suggestion to your colleagues or friends in Italian. One way of doing this is to use potremmo (we could), or si potrebbe (one could). Both come from the verb potere (to be able). For more information on potere, see here.
We could…
Potremmo andare domani.We could go there tomorrow.Potremmo fare tappa a Siena.We could break our journey in Siena.Si potrebbe andare a piedi, se preferisci.We could walk, if you prefer.If you want to ask someone if they would like to do something, you can generally use the verb volere (to want). An alternative is ti piacerebbe or, to somebody you know less well, le piacerebbe, from the verb piacere. For more information on volere, see here.
Would you like to…?
Vuoi andare in acqua?Would you like to go for a swim?Vuoi riposare un po’?Would you like to have a little rest?Vuoi guidare?Would you like to drive?Vuole fermarsi qui?Would You like to stop here?Ti piacerebbe andarci a piedi?Would you like to walk there?Le piacerebbe visitare il museo?Would You like to go to the museum?Just as in English, you can make a suggestion by simply asking Perché non…? (Why don’t…?).
Why don’t…?
Perché non noleggiamo una macchina?Why don’t we hire a car?Perché non prendiamo la metropolitana?Why don’t we take the underground?Perché non chiediamo al conducente?Why don’t we ask the driver?You can make a suggestion using E se…? (How about…?) which is followed by a verb in the imperfect subjunctive. For more information on the subjunctive, see here.
How about…?
E se prendessimo l’autostrada?How about going on the motorway?E se ci andassimo in traghetto?How about taking the ferry?E se passassimo per Riccione?How about going via Riccione?…if you like
Ti posso dare un passaggio, se vuoi.I can give you a lift, if you like.Possiamo chiedere al controllore, se vuole.We can ask the ticket inspector, if You like.Se vuole possiamo dividere un taxi per l’aeroporto.We can share a taxi to the airport, if You like.ASKING FOR INFORMATION
When you are travelling around in Italy, you will often need some information to help you get to where you want to go. When you are asking for information you may need to get someone’s attention in order to ask them a question. To do this you can use Scusi… or Mi scusi…, if addressing an adult, or Scusa…, if you’re addressing somebody younger.
Excuse me…
Scusi, cerco la stazione.Excuse me, I’m looking for the station.Scusi, cerco il municipio.Excuse me, I’m looking for the town hall.Mi scusi, cerco la piazza principale.Excuse me, I’m looking for the main square.BUONO A SAPERSI!
Remember to say grazie or tante grazie when you get the information. If someone hasn’t been able to help you, you can still thank them by saying grazie lo stesso (thanks all the same).
If you want to ask a general question, you can use È…? (Is it…?).
Is it…?
È di qua?Is it this way?È vicino?Is it near here?È lontano?Is it far?È questo il treno per Lecce?Is this the train for Lecce?È questa la fermata per il museo?Is this the stop for the museum?È libero questo posto?Is this seat free?Is there…?
C’è un distributore nei paraggi, per favore?Is there a petrol station near here, please?C’è una stazione della metropolitana qui vicino?Is there an underground station near here?C’è una riduzione per studenti?Is there a student discount?Ci sono ristoranti in questa zona?Are there any restaurants around here?In order to get more specific information, you may want to ask, for example, Dove…? (Where…?), Quale…? (Which…?), or A che ora…? (What time…?).
Where…?
Dov’è il deposito bagagli?Where’s the left-luggage office?Dov’è il più vicino posteggio di taxi, per favore?Where’s the nearest taxi rank, please?Dove sono le toilettes?Where are the public toilets?Which…?
Quale linea devo prendere, per favore?Which line do I take, please?Quali autobus vanno in centro?Which buses go to the town centre?Da quale binario parte il treno per Pisa?Which platform does the train for Pisa go from?Scusi, in che direzione è Treviso, per favore?Excuse me, which way do I go for Treviso, please?In che direzione è l’Arena, per favore?Which way is it to the Arena, please?What time…?
A che ora è l’imbarco?What time do we board?A che ora parte il treno?What time does the train leave?A che ora arriviamo a Bologna?What time do we get to Bologna?How often…?
Con quale frequenza partono le corriere per Trento?How often is there a bus for Trento?Con quale frequenza partono i voli per Londra?How often is there a flight to London?Ogni quanti chilometri bisogna fare il pieno?How often do you have to fill up?Quante soste facciamo per strada?How often do we stop on the way?How long…?
Quanto ci si mette?How long does it take?Quanto ci si mette per arrivare in stazione?How long does it take to get to the railway station?Quanto ci si mette per andare da Rovigo a Verona?How long does it take to get from Rovigo to Verona?Quanto ci mettiamo per arrivare?How long will it take us to get there?How much is…?
Quanto costa un biglietto per Cagliari?How much is a ticket to Cagliari?Quanto si paga di autostrada da Milano a Pisa?How much is the motorway toll between Milan and Pisa?Quanto costa lasciare la valigia al deposito bagagli?How much does it cost to leave a suitcase in left-luggage?Quanto costerebbe affittare una macchina per due giorni?How much would it cost to hire a car for two days?Use Posso…? (Can I…?) or Si può…? (Can you…?) to ask whether you can do something, or if something is generally possible. These are from the verb potere (to be able). For more information on potere, see here.
Can I…?
Posso noleggiare una macchina per una giornata?Can I hire a car for one day?Possiamo cambiare il biglietto in Internet?Can we change our tickets online?Ci si può andare a piedi?Can you walk there?Si può fumare in treno?Can you smoke on the train?Si può pagare con la carta di credito?Is it possible to pay by credit card?ASKING FOR THINGS
When asking for something, you can use Mi dà…? (Can I have…?) or Potrebbe darmi…? (Could I have…?). These come from the verb dare (to give). For more information on dare, see here.
Can I have…?
Mi dà una piantina della metropolitana, per favore?Can I have a map of the underground, please?Mi dà un abbonamento settimanale, per favore?Can I have a weekly pass, please?Potrebbe darmi l’orario ferroviario, per favore?Could I have a train timetable, please?Often, just as in English, you can leave out Mi dà…? or Potrebbe darmi…? and just ask directly for what you need.
A…, please
Un biglietto di sola andata, per favore.A single, please.Un posto vicino al finestrino, per favore.A window seat, please.Una cabina per 2 persone, per favore.A cabin for two, please.Tre biglietti andata e ritorno per Como.Three returns to Como.When you want to find out if something is available, or if someone has something, use Ha…? (Have you got…?) or, more informally, Hai…?. Use Avete..? if you are asking more than one person. These come from the verb avere (to have). For more information on avere, see here.
Have you got…?
Ha l’orario degli autobus?Have You got the bus timetable?Ha una cartina che mostra come arrivarci, per favore?Have You got a map that shows how to get there, please?Hai l’ora, per favore?Have you got the time, please?Avete l’orario dei traghetti?Have you got the timetable for the ferry, please?If you are asking someone if they can do something for you, you should use Può…? (Can you…?), although può can also be left out.
Can you…?
Mi può avvisare quando stiamo per arrivare alla fermata per il museo?Can You tell me when we’re near the museum stop?Mi può lasciare qui, per favore?Can You drop me here, please?Ci può portare all’Hotel Duomo, per favore?Can You take us to Hotel Duomo, please?Ci mostra dov’è sulla piantina?Can You show us where it is on the map?Would you mind…?
Le dispiacerebbe scrivere l’indirizzo?Would You mind writing down the address?Le dispiacerebbe lasciarmi all’albergo?Would You mind dropping me at my hotel?Le dispiacerebbe mostrarci dov’è?Would You mind showing us where it is?SAYING WHAT YOU LIKE, DISLIKE, PREFER
You will want to be able to discuss what you like and dislike with your Italian-speaking acquaintances. To say what you like, use mi piace (I like) with singular nouns and mi piacciono with plural nouns. To say what you don’t like, use non mi piace or non mi piacciono (I don’t like) These come from the verb piacere.
I like…
Mi piace viaggiare in treno.I like travelling by train.Mi piacciono queste stradine di campagna.I like these country roads.Mi piace molto viaggiare in nave.I really like travelling by boat.Mi piace tantissimo viaggiare in aereo.I love flying.I don’t like…
Non mi piace guidare sulla destra.I don’t like driving on the right.Non mi piace guidare di notte.I don’t like driving at night.Non mi piacciono le macchine col cambio automatico.I don’t like automatics.I hate…
Odio i motorini.I hate scooters.Odio le cartine!I hate maps!Detesto dover chiedere indicazioni.I hate having to ask for directions.Do you like…?
Ti piace viaggiare in aereo?Do you like flying?Ti piace viaggiare da sola?Do you like travelling by yourself?Le piace questa regione?Do You like this area?Le piacciono i viaggi organizzati?Do You like organized tours?If you want to say what you prefer, use preferisco (I prefer) or preferirei (I’d prefer). These come from the verb preferire (to prefer). For more information on -ire verbs like preferire, see here.
I prefer to…
Preferisco viaggiare in aereo.I prefer to fly.Preferisco prendere l’autostrada.I prefer to go on the motorway.I’d rather…
Preferirei viaggiare col bel tempo.I’d rather make the journey in good weather.Preferirei sedermi vicino al finestrino.I’d rather sit next to the window.Preferirei non lasciare qui la mia macchina.I’d rather not leave my car here.Preferiremmo guidare di giorno.We’d rather drive in the daytime.LISTEN OUT FOR
Here are some key phrases which you are likely to hear when you’re travelling about.
Prossima fermata: …Next stop: …Il treno diretto per Bologna centrale parte dal binario tre.The train for Bologna centrale leaves from platform three.Si deve convalidare il biglietto in stazione.You must stamp your ticket at the station.Biglietto, prego.Ticket, please.Le dispiace se mi siedo qui?Do you mind if I sit here?Continui dritto fino al semaforo.Go straight on till You get to the traffic lights.Prenda la seconda a sinistra.Take the second turning on the left.È difronte alla cattedrale.It’s opposite the cathedral.È vicinissimo.It’s very near.Ha sbagliato strada.You’ve gone the wrong way.Ci si può andare a piedi.It’s within walking distance.È fra tre fermate.It’s three stops from here.Imbarco immediato, uscita 3.Now boarding at gate 3.Lifestyle Tips
• If you’re behind the wheel of a car, be ready to produce your driving licence if asked for it by the police. If you haven’t got it with you, you may well be fined. The police officer might ask you: patente, prego (your driving licence, please). Italian drivers also have to be able to produce their libretto di circolazione (registration document) and their assicurazione (insurance certificate).
• Motorways are not free in Italy. When you go onto the motorway, you get a biglietto. When you come off the motorway this will show how many kilometres you’ve driven and how much you have to pay (il pedaggio). Telepass is an electronic toll collection system used to collect il pedaggio and gives access to reserved lanes.
• If you’re asked to produce your biglietto on the bus, the train or the underground, it means that you have to show your ticket to the inspector.
• Generally, you have to buy your ticket before getting on a bus. Once on board the bus, you date-stamp the ticket by punching it in a machine. You can buy tickets at newsagents and many tobacconists. If you are staying in a place for some time, it may be worth buying an abbonamento, which will last a week or a month from when it is first stamped.
• Train tickets need to be punched before you get on a train. Tickets are only valid if date-stamped, so if you have forgotten to do this, it is advisable to go and see il controllore (the ticket inspector) as soon as possible, or you might be fined.
• If you’re in a hurry, you can hop on the train and buy a ticket directly from a ticket inspector. This will cost you more, however. If you contact the inspector as soon as you get on the train or before the first stop the fine is around 5 €; otherwise you’ll be faced with a more expensive fine of 60 € or more.
• Queues tend to be informal in Italy. So if you’re trying to get to an information desk and don’t know if it’s your turn, just ask Tocca a me?. If you want to let someone in before you, you can say prego, dopo di lei (after you).
Home from home
Buonanotte! – Sleep well!
If you’re going to stay in Italy, the phrases in this unit will provide you with the language you need to help you find the sort of accommodation you want and ensure everything is to your satisfaction when you’re there. We’ll also give you a few tips on what the receptionist or your landlord or landlady may say to you.