Книга - Easy Learning Italian Conversation

Easy Learning Italian Conversation
Collins Dictionaries


A unique guide to communicating in Italian. It will help you to find out more about Italian culture and to practise your spoken Italian with a free downloadable audio file.An ideal tool for learners of Italian at all levels, whether at school, in evening classes or at home, and is indispensable for business or leisure.The text consists of 12 units, each illustrating the language used in a particular situation, followed by a summary which gives all the key phrases covered throughout the book. The One-stop phrase shop unit gives you all the everyday expressions and language structures you need to speak in natural Italian. Finally, the short grammar and verb supplement and the glossary give you further help and ensure that you have everything you need at your fingertips, and the free audio download helps you to communicate with confidence.• Easy to use: all the phrases you need in order to communicate effectively in natural Italian.• Easy to read: clear layout ensures that you find what you are looking for quickly and easily.• Easy to understand: thousands of examples show how Italian is really used.













Published by Collins

An imprint of HarperCollins Publishers

Westerhill Road

Bishopbriggs

Glasgow G64 2QT

Second Edition 2015

© HarperCollins Publishers 2006, 2015

eBook Edition © May 2015 ISBN 978-0-00-811880-8

Version: 2015-04-07

Collins


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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank those authors and publishers who kindly gave permission for copyright material to be used in the Collins Corpus. We would also like to thank Times Newspapers Ltd for providing valuable data.

MANAGING EDITOR

Janice McNeillie

CONTRIBUTOR

Mirella Alessio

FOR THE PUBLISHER

Gerry Breslin

Hannah Dove




Contents


Cover (#uc99a7e51-8b4f-5ad3-a617-fdb355410896)

Title page (#ue8e47f9c-5e71-531b-813f-3e08043d3095)

Copyright (#u9e34e859-076a-52fc-a1dc-a77ee56db228)

Introduction (#ulink_5249fbf7-18c8-5964-9f06-a5b4d76a1ca3)

What is it?

Why do you need it? (#ulink_4416e0e0-97c8-5ae9-bffb-ee97206cf33a)

How is it structured? (#ulink_7488debf-fd55-58af-bb16-c9da159db3e1)

How does it work? (#ulink_73ca7b4f-581f-56b5-bc6a-47e00c4e7dda)

Why choose Collins Easy Learning Italian Conversation? (#ulink_4044acff-68af-58c2-8ecf-f4dd04855307)

The Collins Easy Learning range (#ulink_77b9d053-113b-5b1e-96d3-11c2b815aa0b)

Italian pronunciation (#ulink_ab6a9286-fc7c-5c57-a950-a6f753832507)

Italian vowels (#ulink_8f5443df-45ce-5ba8-8477-cf76ccdb680b)

Italian consonants (#ulink_aa2adac8-3157-522d-8b41-8d30fd764b97)

Which syllable to emphasize (#ulink_f43e178c-fc04-590e-b891-2556d69864ac)

Units (#ue06a08c6-3d3e-5954-a611-2cb49f00c278)

Small talk (#ulink_dc9f362f-f7b0-51b8-b81f-5a7c8736e1d7)

Come va? – How are things?

Greetings (#ulink_049c2a8a-e2f6-57e7-94cd-3e8b2ecc1fcc)

Introducing people (#ulink_113564b4-547b-5fde-bb5a-5908c58e35c6)

Talking about yourself (#ulink_46f12ffe-33f4-57d3-9668-7a38e185272e)

Asking for information (#ulink_31d6c220-c3fb-5c49-bf82-2e4f400e4318)

Saying what you want to do (#ulink_501b7605-72e4-5de5-95b1-3de2c06430dd)

Making suggestions (#ulink_a836d9dc-8522-55c8-9172-bfe16da09cae)

Expressing opinions (#ulink_b2a1c848-d529-59ff-8921-8207928701c5)

Talking about your plans (#ulink_993e2d7f-dc89-58b8-8f3f-f957915c82ff)

Making arrangements (#ulink_ac27e17f-4ef6-5d88-97eb-977d45e0c5e6)

Saying what you have to do (#ulink_9faec897-0e9d-5d95-a821-c5fc4e430352)

Listen out for (#ulink_72096b51-debe-58ab-9f1e-eaccf327e43f)

Lifestyle Tips (#ulink_343e8431-ea9a-5935-9191-ca7f39da62fd)

Getting there (#ulink_1b693de3-ff21-5f9f-b680-83887734dcd1)

Buon viaggio! – Have a good trip!

Talking about your plans (#ulink_dc50ddbd-6df4-506a-81c2-f3a2fcfee04c)

Saying what you have to do (#ulink_e44a6e89-9769-5605-8047-23a1260d17e8)

Saying what you want to do (#ulink_fcd828dd-0da1-529f-b40b-4a7958920741)

Making suggestions (#ulink_2cdc9fc5-7105-5584-84c6-9b1b49427fcd)

Asking for information (#ulink_5966f36e-b786-5753-bc0d-f9d5c17cbe74)

Asking for things (#ulink_54441480-650c-5408-a5a4-b199e2b6854a)

Saying what you like, dislike, prefer (#ulink_076a8e71-64ae-5116-b23a-cef317ff8d42)

Listen out for (#ulink_cd45aa6b-8f82-5919-9c66-42806da59e6d)

Lifestyle Tips (#ulink_0437ce06-a915-51cc-8ae3-ea08cf92a263)

Home from home (#ulink_e84d61ce-6291-56af-9b98-8911d2d28637)

Buonanotte! – Sleep well!

Asking for things (#ulink_d9b8e980-871e-59fb-b508-0a00a07d44dd)

Talking about yourself (#ulink_e5844cc2-e588-563b-b4c8-b04058524616)

Asking for information (#ulink_a1fff209-1b0a-556d-bf77-ceb8568d2642)

Asking for permission (#ulink_44f03ce0-8c3f-5d8e-b920-8d2bae9fc440)

Saying what you like, dislike, prefer (#ulink_4841f3ce-adfb-56be-900b-1f45b92afcfb)

Expressing opinions (#ulink_b1892013-e624-5212-9963-fe593b098dad)

Making suggestions (#ulink_875d79ff-bb5b-5ba3-acea-6725b6d8abeb)

Asking for suggestions (#ulink_a0183915-3562-589a-977a-e8fc7d1239dc)

Saying what you have to do (#ulink_e7da2940-d02c-55c3-9b85-8c35be12051f)

Talking about your plans (#ulink_59d4d32f-33bf-572c-ad71-75020b3520e4)

Complaining (#ulink_5d43b52c-9afb-56cb-a608-56d1ef240335)

Listen out for (#ulink_393a6361-dbdd-5d23-8da6-46f6c1b8148c)

Lifestyle Tips (#ulink_12b9ed6c-f9e2-5904-9c83-f033ce20c3ca)

Wining and dining (#ulink_f48d8251-266f-511a-b95a-a6c4274ac761)

Buon appetito! – Enjoy your meal!

Making arrangements (#ulink_fc1d11a1-9be2-5c58-9ed6-8006404a815c)

Asking for information (#litres_trial_promo)

Asking for things (#litres_trial_promo)

Saying what you want to do (#litres_trial_promo)

Saying what you like, dislike, prefer (#litres_trial_promo)

Asking for suggestions (#litres_trial_promo)

Making suggestions (#litres_trial_promo)

Complaining (#litres_trial_promo)

Listen out for (#litres_trial_promo)

Lifestyle Tips (#litres_trial_promo)

Hitting the town (#litres_trial_promo)

Buon divertimento! – Have a good time!

Making suggestions (#litres_trial_promo)

Talking about your plans (#litres_trial_promo)

Asking for information (#litres_trial_promo)

Asking for things (#litres_trial_promo)

Saying what you like, dislike, prefer (#litres_trial_promo)

Expressing opinions (#litres_trial_promo)

Asking for permission (#litres_trial_promo)

Listen out for (#litres_trial_promo)

Lifestyle Tips (#litres_trial_promo)

Museums, monuments and much more (#litres_trial_promo)

Buona giornata! – Have a nice day!

Saying what you want to do (#litres_trial_promo)

Talking about your plans (#litres_trial_promo)

Making suggestions (#litres_trial_promo)

Asking for information (#litres_trial_promo)

Asking for things (#litres_trial_promo)

Asking for permission (#litres_trial_promo)

Saying what you like, dislike, prefer (#litres_trial_promo)

Expressing opinions (#litres_trial_promo)

Complaining (#litres_trial_promo)

Listen out for (#litres_trial_promo)

Lifestyle Tips (#litres_trial_promo)

Retail therapy (#litres_trial_promo)

Prego, desidera? – Can I help you?

Asking for things (#litres_trial_promo)

Saying what you have to do (#litres_trial_promo)

Talking about your plans (#litres_trial_promo)

Expressing opinions (#litres_trial_promo)

Asking for information (#litres_trial_promo)

Saying what you like, dislike, prefer (#litres_trial_promo)

Making suggestions (#litres_trial_promo)

Asking for permission (#litres_trial_promo)

Listen out for (#litres_trial_promo)

Lifestyle Tips (#litres_trial_promo)

Service with a smile (#litres_trial_promo)

Un servizio impeccabile! – Excellent service!

Greetings (#litres_trial_promo)

Talking about yourself (#litres_trial_promo)

Saying what you have to do (#litres_trial_promo)

Saying what you want to do (#litres_trial_promo)

Asking for information (#litres_trial_promo)

Asking for things (#litres_trial_promo)

Asking for suggestions (#litres_trial_promo)

Making suggestions (#litres_trial_promo)

Making arrangements (#litres_trial_promo)

Talking about your plans (#litres_trial_promo)

Saying what you like, dislike, prefer (#litres_trial_promo)

Listen out for (#litres_trial_promo)

Lifestyle Tips (#litres_trial_promo)

Ouch! (#litres_trial_promo)

Tanti auguri di pronta guarigione! – Get well soon!

Describing the problem (#litres_trial_promo)

Saying what happened (#litres_trial_promo)

Asking for information (#litres_trial_promo)

Asking for things (#litres_trial_promo)

Saying what you want to do (#litres_trial_promo)

Making suggestions (#litres_trial_promo)

Listen out for (#litres_trial_promo)

Lifestyle Tips (#litres_trial_promo)

Help! (#litres_trial_promo)

Niente paura! – Don’t worry!

Describing the problem (#litres_trial_promo)

Saying what happened (#litres_trial_promo)

Describing people and things (#litres_trial_promo)

Asking for information (#litres_trial_promo)

Asking for things (#litres_trial_promo)

Saying what you want to do (#litres_trial_promo)

Saying what you have to do (#litres_trial_promo)

Making suggestions (#litres_trial_promo)

Talking about your plans (#litres_trial_promo)

Listen out for (#litres_trial_promo)

Lifestyle Tips (#litres_trial_promo)

Getting in touch (#litres_trial_promo)

Pronto, chi parla? – Who’s calling please?

Making a telephone call (#litres_trial_promo)

When the number you’re calling answers (#litres_trial_promo)

Starting a conversation (#litres_trial_promo)

Saying why you’re calling (#litres_trial_promo)

Giving information (#litres_trial_promo)

Answering the telephone (#litres_trial_promo)

Ending a telephone call (#litres_trial_promo)

Listen out for (#litres_trial_promo)

Writing emails and letters (#litres_trial_promo)

Texting (#litres_trial_promo)

Social media (#litres_trial_promo)

Lifestyle Tips (#litres_trial_promo)

Time, numbers, date (#litres_trial_promo)

Tre, due, uno… via! – One, two, three… Go!

I numeri – Numbers

L’ora – The time (#litres_trial_promo)

Listen out for (#litres_trial_promo)

Durata – Saying how long (#litres_trial_promo)

Le stagioni – The seasons (#litres_trial_promo)

I mesi dell’anno – The months of the year (#litres_trial_promo)

Le date – Dates (#litres_trial_promo)

I giorni della settimana – The days of the week (#litres_trial_promo)

L’alfabeto – The alphabet (#litres_trial_promo)

Listen out for (#litres_trial_promo)

Interesting days and dates (#litres_trial_promo)

In summary… (#litres_trial_promo)

Allora, recapitolando… – So, to sum up…

Apologizing (#litres_trial_promo)

Asking for and giving explanations (#litres_trial_promo)

Asking for information (#litres_trial_promo)

Asking for permission (#litres_trial_promo)

Asking for things (#litres_trial_promo)

Complaining (#litres_trial_promo)

Describing people and things (#litres_trial_promo)

Explaining a problem (#litres_trial_promo)

Expressing opinions (#litres_trial_promo)

Making suggestions (#litres_trial_promo)

Saying what’s happened (#litres_trial_promo)

Saying what you have to do (#litres_trial_promo)

Saying what you like, dislike, prefer (#litres_trial_promo)

Saying what you want to do (#litres_trial_promo)

Talking about your plans (#litres_trial_promo)

One-stop phrase shop (#litres_trial_promo)

Chiedo scusa? – I beg your pardon?

Hellos and goodbyes (#litres_trial_promo)

Please and thank you (#litres_trial_promo)

Attracting someone’s attention (#litres_trial_promo)

Making sure you’ve understood (#litres_trial_promo)

Checking facts (#litres_trial_promo)

Wishing someone something (#litres_trial_promo)

Apologizing (#litres_trial_promo)

Reassuring someone (#litres_trial_promo)

Opinions (#litres_trial_promo)

Agreeing, disagreeing and declining (#litres_trial_promo)

Congratulating someone (#litres_trial_promo)

Reacting to good and bad news (#litres_trial_promo)

Exclamations (#litres_trial_promo)

Surprise (#litres_trial_promo)

Encouraging someone (#litres_trial_promo)

Handing someone something (#litres_trial_promo)

Dangers and emergencies (#litres_trial_promo)

Speaking your mind (#litres_trial_promo)

Conversational words (#litres_trial_promo)

Grammar (#litres_trial_promo)

Nouns (#litres_trial_promo)

Articles (#litres_trial_promo)

Pronouns (#litres_trial_promo)

Adjectives (#litres_trial_promo)

Questions (#litres_trial_promo)

Negatives (#litres_trial_promo)

Some common translation difficulties (#litres_trial_promo)

Verbs (#litres_trial_promo)

Verb tenses (#litres_trial_promo)

Verb tables (#litres_trial_promo)

Parlare: to speak (#litres_trial_promo)

Credere: to believe (#litres_trial_promo)

Dormire: to sleep (#litres_trial_promo)

Andare: to go (#litres_trial_promo)

Avere: to have (#litres_trial_promo)

Dare: to give (#litres_trial_promo)

Dovere: to have to (#litres_trial_promo)

Essere: to be (#litres_trial_promo)

Fare: to do, to make (#litres_trial_promo)

Potere: to be able (#litres_trial_promo)

Volere: to want (#litres_trial_promo)

Vocabulary builder (#litres_trial_promo)

About the publisher (#litres_trial_promo)





Introduction (#ulink_ffc3da66-5e00-5ecb-b0b7-047f133683fe)

What is it? (#ulink_e5a1494d-2c5c-555a-8762-5ebe6e6f5666)


Collins Easy Learning Italian Conversation is a book for learners of Italian of all ages. It will increase your confidence in holding a conversation in Italian, whether you are just starting to learn Italian, studying at school or at an evening class, or brushing up your language skills. You may be going on holiday or planning to go travelling in Italy, go there on business, or live there. Whatever your situation, you’ll want to be able to communicate effectively and naturally in Italian.




Why do you need it? (#ulink_a41fbfe7-271b-531e-87b2-8593fbd6710c)


Becoming proficient in a foreign language means being able to use and understand a number of different aspects – vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, and so on. However, it takes a while to be able to put all these elements together and be sure that what you are saying sounds like natural Italian. The Easy Learning Italian Conversation has been carefully designed to bring these aspects together and give you language structures which you can use in conversation with confidence, knowing that you will be speaking Italian as spoken by Italian speakers.




How is it structured? (#ulink_cad3e519-f9a5-5bbd-bc3b-4d64cc05299d)


Collins Easy Learning Italian Conversation is made up of 12 units, each illustrating the language used in a particular situation, followed by a summary which brings together the key language covered throughout the units. You’ll also find the One-stop phrase shop (#litres_trial_promo) – a unit which contains all the important expressions and turns of phrase that help you to sound more natural in Italian. A short grammar and verbs supplement gives you additional language support, ensuring that you have everything at your fingertips. Finally, the English-Italian glossary covers the most important vocabulary you may need to personalize your conversation.




How does it work? (#ulink_ce00ed94-019d-5903-a13a-bbfacf497c31)


Language allows us to express ourselves and interact with others. In any given situation, we perform different language tasks, such as asking for information, agreeing and disagreeing, complaining, making suggestions and so forth. To do this, we use linguistic structures (How…?, When…?, Could I…?, I’d like… and so on) which can be used in a variety of contexts. Each unit in Collins Easy Learning Italian Conversation gives you all the phrases you might need in a given situation, grouped by structure. English headings help you navigate through the structures to enable you to find what you want quickly and easily. Throughout the units, there are also tips headed Buono a sapersi! which highlight important differences in the way English and Italian work.

To help you with the different forms of the word ‘you’ in Italian, English translations are given as You = polite form, you = informal form, you = plural form. Italic letters in Italian words show where stress does not follow the usual rules.

A conversation, by definition, is a two-way process. It is as important to understand what is being said to you as it is to be able to respond. At the end of each unit, there is a section headed Listen out for. Each of these sections gives you a variety of the most typical phrases which you might hear in a given situation. Becoming familiar with these will allow you to have a successful conversation with a Italian speaker. For further help with pronunciation, a free download with all the important structures recorded is available on www.collins.co.uk/easylearningresources.

Communicating effectively in Italian isn’t just about linguistic competence – it’s also about cultural knowledge. For you to feel confident in Italy, it is also useful to know more about Italian culture and lifestyle. At the end of each unit, the Lifestyle Tips will give you the information you need to gain a deeper insight into the language, the country and its people.




Why choose Collins Easy Learning Italian Conversation? (#ulink_1a753fbf-2a06-5ded-be27-573eaf9d3a41)


• easy to use all the key language structures you need to give you the confidence to hold a conversation in natural Italian

• easy to read a clear, modern layout which allows you to find what you need quickly and easily

• easy to understand the language you may hear from Italian speakers in a given situation

• easy to speak free audio download available on www.collins.co.uk/easylearningresources




The Collins Easy Learning range (#ulink_0437892b-2a4d-53cc-b250-64d2fbd6d161)


The Collins Easy Learning Italian Conversation is part of the best-selling Collins Easy Learning range, which includes the highly acclaimed Collins Easy Learning Italian Dictionary. Collins Easy Learning Italian Grammar and Collins Easy Learning Italian Verbs support you with all your grammatical needs. The Collins Easy Learning series is the ideal language reference range to help you learn Italian.





Italian pronunciation (#ulink_1a4ef9ea-c475-5ce6-8165-9412c9c45751)


Italian pronunciation is not very difficult. Words are written pretty much as they sound, so when you see a word written down you can generally pronounce it with no problem, and when you hear a new word you know immediately how to spell it. There are no sounds in Italian that are very different from English. Below we give some tips to help you speak natural-sounding Italian.




Italian vowels (#ulink_aafc335e-5dfb-5df6-8ab6-0079236d90cd)


In English, vowels we don’t emphasize often sound like “uh”, so the e in mother and the a in central sound just the same. Sometimes vowels don’t get pronounced at all, as is the case with the first e in interesting. In Italian this never happens. Italian vowels are always clearly pronounced.

Italian vowels are generally pronounced as follows:







Italian consonants (#ulink_edb87d17-bece-523f-878f-778b7e67aea0)


Most Italian consonants are pronounced the same as English ones, except that double consonants are two distinct sounds, so that the tt in tutto is pronounced as in hat trick and not as in fitted.

The following are Italian consonants that differ from English:







Which syllable to emphasize (#ulink_220e4fbf-486b-561a-af61-75b5127c4ece)


To make your Italian sound more fluent and natural you need to stress the right syllable. Here are some guidelines:

• Two-syllable words always stress the first syllable, unless the final vowel has an accent:




• Words with three or more syllables generally have the stress on the next to the last syllable:




• If a word has an accent on the final vowel, it is stressed on the final syllable.




Words of this type include many nouns that end in –ty in English




• Two future tense forms always have an accent (I and he/she/it/You):




• Some words have the stress on a syllable which is not the last, or the next to the last. In this book we use italics to show when an unexpected syllable is stressed, to help you learn the correct pronunciation.




• It's specially important to notice which syllable you should emphasize when pronouncing infinitives ending in –ere, because they vary. Some, such as avere (to have) and vedere (to see) have normal stress, on the next to the last syllable.

However, there are many important exceptions, for example:




BUONO A SAPERSI!

Past participles such as finito and partito always have the stress on the next to last syllable, but similar-looking words such as subito and compito sometimes have the stress on a syllable you wouldn’t expect.





Small talk (#ulink_1109df55-28d4-5db5-98df-e25ede2c7259)

Come va? – How are things? (#ulink_cf1e99e9-e527-5761-ba3e-79de96973fae)


Whether you’re going to be working in Italy or you’re going to spend some time with your Italian-speaking friends, you’ll want to be able to chat with people and get to know them better. The phrases in this unit will help you talk naturally to friends, family and colleagues in a number of everyday situations.




GREETINGS (#ulink_2dd47df2-8f9f-5e32-bb89-19bf982d6884)


Just as in English, there are several ways of greeting people in Italian, depending on who you are addressing, and whether you want to be formal or not. Say buongiorno (good morning) or buonasera (good afternoon/good evening), if you want to sound polite.




Hello…





BUONO A SAPERSI!

buon pomeriggio (good afternoon) exists in Italian. However it is only used on the radio or television, for example by newscasters. It would sound a bit odd if you greeted people saying buon pomeriggio: stick to buongiorno or, later on in the day, buonasera. Remember to say buongiorno or buonasera as you enter a shop or a restaurant.

Use salve (hi) if you wish to sound a bit more informal, whether you know the people you are greeting or not. If you’re on friendly terms with someone or if you are addressing somebody young, you can say ciao (hi).




Hi…





Use arrivederci to say goodbye to people you don’t know well. You can just say ciao to people you know or to somebody young. buongiorno and buonasera are also often used to say goodbye.




Goodbye…





BUONO A SAPERSI!

Remember to say in Italian arrivederci when you leave a shop or restaurant.

While in English you can use goodnight to mean ‘goodbye’ or to wish somebody a good night’s sleep, in Italian you use buonanotte (goodnight) only before going to bed.




Goodnight…








See you…





BUONO A SAPERSI!

In Italian, if you use a più tardi for see you later, you expect to see the person later on that day, not just some time in the future as in English.




INTRODUCING PEOPLE (#ulink_6d7b7a5f-6c8c-5639-aeab-86f6f57c3d1c)


You may want to introduce people you know to one another. The simplest way is by saying questo (or questa) è (this is) when introducing a person. You can also use ti presento (I’d like you to meet) when addressing someone you know well, or le presento to be more formal. When speaking to several people use vi presento.




This is…





When you’re introduced to someone, you’ll want to know how to react. Just say piacere (nice to meet you) or molto piacere (how do you do?). You can also say piacere di conoscerla, or conoscerti to somebody younger. You can then introduce yourself, by saying your name. In more formal situations, Italians quite often give their surname rather than their first name.




Nice to meet you…





BUONO A SAPERSI!

Italians often use titles like avvocato (lawyer), ingegnere (engineer), architetto (architect) when addressing professionals, even without the name of the person, for example Buongiorno architetto!, in the same way as we would address a doctor.

If you want to introduce yourself to somebody, you can say Piacere… and your name. A more formal way is to use Mi permetta di presentarmi,… (May I introduce myself,…).




Hello, I’m…





BUONO A SAPERSI!

If you have missed an introduction but you are keen to meet somebody you can say:

Mi scusi, non ci siamo presentati, io sono Catherine. Lei è…? (Excuse me, we haven’t been introduced, I’m Catherine, You’re…?).




TALKING ABOUT YOURSELF (#ulink_12aebd16-8240-519a-9ae8-ec14d2852925)


In order to get the conversation going, you’ll want to be able to talk about yourself – what your name is, what you do and so on. To say what your name is in Italian, you use mi chiamo which literally means I call myself, from the verb chiamarsi (to be called). Alternatively, like in English, you can simply say sono (I am), from the verb essere (to be). For more information on the verbs chiamare and essere, see here (#litres_trial_promo) and here (#litres_trial_promo).




My name is…





If you want to say how old you are, use ho followed by your age and anni (literally I have … years). ho comes from the verb avere (to have). For more information on avere, see here (#litres_trial_promo).




I’m… years old





BUONO A SAPERSI!

If you have to ask Quanti anni ha? (How old are You?) you can always add se non sono indiscreto (or indiscreta) (if You don’t mind my asking).

To talk about who you are and what you do, use sono (I am), ho (I have) and faccio (I do). These come from the verbs essere (to be), avere (to have) and fare (to do). For more information on these verbs, see here (#litres_trial_promo), here (#litres_trial_promo) and here (#litres_trial_promo).




I’m…





When you say what you do in Italian, you use the verb fare (to do): I’m a baker is faccio il panettiere. The verb essere (to be) can also be used, but it is less common.




I’m a …





BUONO A SAPERSI!

Remember that when talking about people’s jobs, a in English is often translated by the definite article (il, la and so on) in Italian.




I have…








I live…








I’m staying…





To say that you’ve done something for a given length of time, use da (for) with the present tense. Another common way of talking about things you’ve been doing for a while is to use sono… che….




I have been… for…








ASKING FOR INFORMATION (#ulink_09165325-00d9-5133-ae52-939d87b10c33)


When you’re chatting socially, you will want to ask any number of questions. One simple way of finding out information from someone is to say mi parli di (tell me about) to someone you don’t know very well, or parlami di to someone younger. These come from the verb parlare (to speak). For more information on this verb, see here (#litres_trial_promo).




Tell me about…





Another common way of asking for information in spoken Italian is to use question words: Come…? (How…?), Cosa…? (What…?), Dove…? (Where…?), Quando…? (When…?) and so on.




How…?








What…?








What’s your name?








Where…?








When…?





If you want to ask how long someone has been doing something, use Da quanto tempo…? or just Da quanto…? (How long … for?) followed by the present tense. For more information on the present tense, see here (#litres_trial_promo).




How long have…?





Sometimes you’ll want to ask why a friend or acquaintance did or didn’t do something. You can use Perché…? (Why…?) and the past tense to ask. For more information on the past tense, see here (#litres_trial_promo).




Why…?








SAYING WHAT YOU WANT TO DO (#ulink_2a90c855-fd45-5a19-92ed-106a669f5c68)


When you’re talking to friends or colleagues you will often need to be able to talk about what you would like to do. To say what you want to do, use vorrei (I’d like). vorrei comes from the verb volere (to want). For more information on volere, see here (#litres_trial_promo).




I’d like to…





You can also use voglio (I want) to talk about what you want to do. If you want to say that you want someone to do something, you use voglio che followed by the subjunctive. For more information on the subjunctive, see here (#litres_trial_promo).




I want to…








MAKING SUGGESTIONS (#ulink_04ccf5eb-462b-59eb-95c2-2475a23c8157)


One easy way of making suggestions to your friends and colleagues is to use si potrebbe (we could) followed by the verb in the infinitive. potrebbe comes from the verb potere (to be able). For more information on potere, see here (#litres_trial_promo).




We could…





Just as in English you can make a suggestion by simply asking Perché non …? (Why don’t …?).




Why don’t…?





You can also make a suggestion using the Italian phrase E se…? (How about…?) which is followed by a verb in the imperfect subjunctive. For more information on the subjunctive, see here (#litres_trial_promo).




How about…?





Use Dovrei…? (Should I…?) followed by the verb in the infinitive to ask if you should do something. dovrei comes from the verb dovere (to have to). For more information on dovere, see here (#litres_trial_promo).




Should I…?








EXPRESSING OPINIONS (#ulink_913bd9f0-6643-59cb-bc57-d58d0cd4f44b)


When talking to people in a social or work situation, you may wish to express your opinion of something. In Italian you can use credo or penso (I think). When you use credere and pensare with che, the verb which follows is in the subjunctive. For more information on the subjunctive, see here (#litres_trial_promo).




I think…








In my opinion…





If you want to ask other people what they think of something, use Che ne pensa di…? (What do You think of…?). Use Che ne pensi di…? if you are talking to somebody you know well or to somebody young.




What do you think of…?





To agree or disagree with what other people say, use sono d’accordo or non sono d’accordo.




I agree…





Where we use the verb to be in English in the phrases to be right and to be wrong, Italian speakers use avere (to have): avere ragione (to be right), avere torto (to be wrong).




You’re right…








TALKING ABOUT YOUR PLANS (#ulink_8cfc5547-fa16-556d-ba12-6ef25b7e5210)


When talking to your colleagues and friends you will want to tell them about your plans. In Italian, as in English, the present is very often used to talk about plans, especially for things that have been arranged and that are definite. For more on the present tense, see here (#litres_trial_promo).




I’m…





In English, when we talk about the future we often say I’m going to. In Italian you can either use the future or the present tense (see here (#litres_trial_promo)).




I’m going to…








Are you going to…?





When talking about what you intend to do, you can use ho intenzione di (I intend to) followed by a verb in the infinitive.




I intend to…








Do you intend to…?








MAKING ARRANGEMENTS (#ulink_f6326732-6cb6-503d-993b-f8346cf7402c)


When making arrangements with someone, use Le va bene…? or, more informally, Ti va bene…? (Is it okay by you if…?) to ask someone if something suits them. va comes from the verb andare. For more information on andare, see here (#litres_trial_promo).




Is it okay by you if…?





To ask somebody if they would prefer something, use Preferisce…? or, more informally, Preferisci…? (Would you prefer it…?) which are from the present tense of the verb preferire. You can also use the conditional Preferirebbe… or Preferiresti…. For more information on –ire verbs like preferire and on the conditional, see here (#litres_trial_promo) and here (#litres_trial_promo).




Would you prefer it if…?








Is it better to…?





If you want to confirm an arrangement with somebody, you can use Siamo d’accordo…? or Allora d’accordo…? (Are we agreed…?).




Are we agreed on…?





BUONO A SAPERSI!

D’accordo is used to accept offers or to agree: Ci andiamo insieme? – D’accordo! (Shall we go together? – OK!).




SAYING WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO (#ulink_404bc46e-dda6-5373-99c1-3abf8fe012d6)


When you want to say that you have to do something in Italian, you use devo (I have to) followed by the infinitive. devo comes from the verb dovere (to have to). For more information on dovere, see here (#litres_trial_promo).




I have to…








I must…








Do you have to…?





When you want to say that you should or ought to do something, use dovrei (I should) and then the verb in the infinitive. To find out more about the infinitive, see here (#litres_trial_promo).




I should…





To ask what someone has to do or when or why they have to do it, put cosa (what), quando (when) or perché (why) at the beginning of the sentence, before deve or, more informally, devi (do you have to?). deve and devi come from the verb dovere (to have to). For more information on dovere, see here (#litres_trial_promo).




What do you have to…?





To say that you don’t have to do something, you can use non sono obbligato (or obbligata) a (I’m not obliged to).




I don’t have to…





To say what you mustn’t do, you can use non devo (I mustn’t) and then the verb in the infinitive.




I mustn’t…








LISTEN OUT FOR (#ulink_3c91ba46-5f35-5d9f-a506-1d783dc9397e)


Here are some key phrases which you are likely to hear in conversation.






Lifestyle Tips (#ulink_68764bb5-540d-5d05-bbbc-6f7c5aa7a338)

• The polite you (lei) is used to address people whom you don’t know. It’s also a way of showing respect to someone who’s older than you, or to someone who’s senior to you at work. People who work together on a daily basis usually say tu to each other (darsi del tu – to saytuto each other), but it is safer to wait a little before taking that step. Many people do not like to be addressed as lei, because they think it’s too formal. They will usually suggest you call them tu, saying mi puoi dare del tu or possiamo darci del tu. You can make the first move and ask Ci diamo del tu?, if you think that the other person will be more comfortable using the tu form.

• Like sir in English, signore is a formal way of addressing a man. signora, however, is used much more in Italian than madam is in English. You can use it to address any woman you call lei, even if you know her well.

• When meeting someone for the first time, you usually shake hands (darsi la mano), whether it’s a man or a woman. In the world of business, in meetings or in negotiations, shaking hands is very common. Men who are on friendly terms usually shake hands, while women kiss each other on both cheeks. Men kiss female friends and also male relatives. Young men on friendly terms might hug or slap each other on the shoulder if they haven’t seen each other in a long time. Bear in mind that habits may be different depending on where you are in Italy, as well as on the age group and formality of the situation.

• The words ragazzo and ragazza can either mean boy/girl or boyfriend/girlfriend. If someone says il mio ragazzo, they are talking about their boyfriend. However, you stop using ragazzo/ragazza when you get older, perhaps after the age of 25. To say my partner, use il mio compagno for a man and la mia compagna for a woman.

• Italian people socialize in cafés, bars and restaurants as British people do. Italian bars serve both coffee and alcoholic drinks, so you can go to a bar both a prendere un caffè or a prendere l’aperitivo (a drink before lunch or dinner, which also includes a great selection of finger food).





Getting there (#ulink_52262a87-ed29-5c55-b3eb-1b5ff8f2e010)

Buon viaggio! – Have a good trip! (#ulink_a7b01807-d4aa-5194-8ccd-779ed87989b4)


If you’re going to be travelling to and around Italy, the phrases in this unit will help you ask for directions, find out how to get to places and talk to fellow travellers in everyday Italian.




TALKING ABOUT YOUR PLANS (#ulink_aaa660a1-ead8-53b0-9d12-dfa807e8168b)


When you’re travelling around, you will probably want to talk about what you’re going to do. You can use the future tense or the present tense to talk about your plans. For more information about the future and the present tenses, see here (#litres_trial_promo).




I’ll…





When you’re talking about what you intend to do, you can use ho intenzione di (I intend to) followed by a verb in the infinitive.




I intend to…








I’m planning to…








I hope to…





Use salvo imprevisti or se tutto va bene (if all goes to plan) at the beginning of a sentence to talk about a plan that might have to be changed.




If all goes to plan…








SAYING WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO (#ulink_3c258d76-f3c0-51d0-bb0e-44126f050bd8)


If you want to say that you have to do something in Italian, such as buy a ticket, catch a train and so on, you use devo (I have to) or dovrei (I ought to) followed by the infinitive. These are from the verb dovere (to have to). For more information on dovere, see here (#litres_trial_promo).




I have to…








I ought to…





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 (#litres_trial_promo).




I must…








SAYING WHAT YOU WANT TO DO (#ulink_89723542-d276-50a8-8b3f-80020740e79d)


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 (#litres_trial_promo).




I want to…








I don’t want to…








I’d like to…





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 (#litres_trial_promo).




I would like…





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 (#litres_trial_promo) and here (#litres_trial_promo).




I feel like…








MAKING SUGGESTIONS (#ulink_cd077be3-42b6-55f4-879d-75f0394b13ad)


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 (#litres_trial_promo).




We could…





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 (#litres_trial_promo).




Would you like to…?





Just as in English, you can make a suggestion by simply asking Perché non…? (Why don’t…?).




Why don’t…?





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 (#litres_trial_promo).




How about…?








…if you like








ASKING FOR INFORMATION (#ulink_3d0d9ae2-8e77-5901-a8a8-c44637e88dcc)


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…





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…?








Is there…?





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…?








Which…?








What time…?








How often…?








How long…?








How much is…?





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 (#litres_trial_promo).




Can I…?








ASKING FOR THINGS (#ulink_6f6fb649-523d-5fb9-8561-701844935f5b)


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 (#litres_trial_promo).




Can I have…?





Often, just as in English, you can leave out Mi dà…? or Potrebbe darmi…? and just ask directly for what you need.




A…, please





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 (#litres_trial_promo).




Have you got…?





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…?








Would you mind…?








SAYING WHAT YOU LIKE, DISLIKE, PREFER (#ulink_26dc7fb8-ec0f-5df6-b2bb-349200c0cead)


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…








I don’t like…








I hate…








Do you like…?





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 (#litres_trial_promo).




I prefer to…








I’d rather…








LISTEN OUT FOR (#ulink_a8248e8a-ad0a-5d36-86a6-c0c92b382ce2)


Here are some key phrases which you are likely to hear when you’re travelling about.






Lifestyle Tips (#ulink_b66e1cf1-76cf-515a-a332-8d1e28d4c8aa)

• 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 (#ulink_6a53b641-5fc3-5f31-a85c-2232920f9137)

Buonanotte! – Sleep well! (#ulink_f1311789-27b9-586c-b5d0-8c274ffc390a)


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.




ASKING FOR THINGS (#ulink_f3922128-e9ab-5c92-b5d7-76f0649691bd)


To say what kind of accommodation you want in Italian, use vorrei (I’d like), or, if you want to be slightly more direct, voglio (I want). These come from the verb volere (to want). For more information on volere, see here (#litres_trial_promo).




I’d like…








I want…





When you want to find out if something is available, use Avete…? (Do you have…?) or Avreste…? (Would you have…?). These come from the verb avere (to have). For more information on avere, see here (#litres_trial_promo).




Do you have…?





If you want to ask for something, you can use Mi dà..? (Can I have…?).




Can I have…?





If you are asking someone whether they can do something for you, use Può…? (Can You…?) and Potrebbe…? (Could You…?) or, more informally, Puoi…? or Potresti…?. They all come from the verb potere (to be able). For more information on potere, see here (#litres_trial_promo).




Can you…?








Would you mind…?








TALKING ABOUT YOURSELF (#ulink_df138026-d451-59f1-ab64-3c434f7e3f2b)


When you are enquiring about somewhere to stay you will need to give information about yourself. Use sono (I am) to talk about yourself and siamo (we are) to include the people who are with you. These come from the verb essere (to be). For more information on essere, see here (#litres_trial_promo).




I’m…








My name is…





BUONO A SAPERSI!

Remember that the Italian alphabet is pronounced differently from the English alphabet. For more information on how to say letters of the alphabet in Italian, see here (#litres_trial_promo).




ASKING FOR INFORMATION (#ulink_8403344a-f08e-5ca8-9686-8b9b5e690caa)


When you want to find something out about your accommodation, an easy way to ask questions is just to put È…? (Is…?) before what you want to know. Alternatively, you can simply make your voice go up at the end of the sentence.




Is it…?





You can use C’è…? in Italian to ask Is there…? and Ci sono…? to ask Are there…?.




Is there…?





Use cerco (I’m looking for) or cerchiamo (we’re looking for) to ask where something is. cerco comes from the verb cercare (to look for).




I’m looking for…





To get more specific information, you may need to ask Quale…? (What…?), Dove…? (Where…?) or A che ora…? (What time…?).




What…?





BUONO A SAPERSI!

quale works for all singular nouns, whether masculine or feminine. It becomes qual before a word beginning with a vowel, as in Qual è…? (What’s…?).




Where…?








What time…?








How much…?








How many…?








ASKING FOR PERMISSION (#ulink_71f41446-dab1-547e-a9bf-e4d17a01295b)


Often when you are staying in a hotel or other accommodation you will need to be able to ask whether you can do something. Use Posso…? (Can I …?) or Possiamo…? (Can we…?) to ask if you can do something. These come from the verb potere (to be able). For more information on potere, see here (#litres_trial_promo).




Can I…?





You can use Si può…? to ask if something is okay, or possible.




Is it okay to…?








Do you mind if…?





If you want to ask someone if you may do something, you can also use È permesso..?(Am I allowed to…?) followed by the infinitive.




Am I allowed to…?








SAYING WHAT YOU LIKE, DISLIKE, PREFER (#ulink_89bc83e7-40ff-5987-970b-538bd8a01abb)


When talking about 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. These come from the verb piacere.




I like…








I don’t like…








I hate…





If you want to say what you prefer, use preferisco (I prefer) or preferirei (I’d prefer). These come from the verb preferire. For more information on -ire verbs like preferire, see here (#litres_trial_promo).




I prefer…








I’d rather…








EXPRESSING OPINIONS (#ulink_4d9b6cb6-71bf-5ffb-93be-fa377fb0bd3d)


You may well be asked what you think of your accommodation. Whether it’s perfect or not up to scratch, to say what you think you can use penso che (I think) or trovo che (I find) followed by the subjunctive. These come from the verbs pensare (to think) and trovare (to find). For more information on -are verbs, see here (#litres_trial_promo), and for the use of the subjunctive, see here (#litres_trial_promo).




I think…








In my opinion…








MAKING SUGGESTIONS (#ulink_2ae61396-f987-55b2-a1ee-db595c4dc9b4)


If you would like to suggest that you do something, use posso (I can) followed by the infinitive and se vuole (if You like) – or se vuoi for a person you know well – at the end. posso comes from the verb potere (to be able). For more information on potere, see here (#litres_trial_promo).




I can…, if you like.





If you wish to ask what someone would like you to do, you can use Vuole che…?(Would You like me to…?) or, more informally, Vuoi che…?, followed by a verb in the subjunctive, which you can find out more about on here (#litres_trial_promo).




Would you like me to…?








ASKING FOR SUGGESTIONS (#ulink_0f07e0b6-a490-565d-a8b9-4ba8dae51620)


You may want to ask for advice or a recommendation concerning your accommodation. To ask for advice, use Mi consiglia…? (Would You advise me to…?). This comes from the verb consigliare (to advise).




Would you advise me to…?








Would you recommend…?








SAYING WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO (#ulink_4f16139d-f067-53d5-b105-e84862751bde)


If you want to say that you have to do something with regard to your accommodation in Italian, you use devo (I have to) or dovrei (I ought to), from the verb dovere (to have to). For more information on dovere, see here (#litres_trial_promo).




I have to…





BUONO A SAPERSI!

The word domattina is a contraction of domani (tomorrow) and mattina (morning).




I ought to…





In Italian you can tell somebody what you need by using ho bisogno di (I need).




I need…





You can use Devo …? (Do I have to…?) followed by the infinitive, or Bisogna che…? (Do I need to…?) followed by the verb in the subjunctive to ask about what you have to do. For more information about the subjunctive, see here (#litres_trial_promo).




Do I have to…?








Do I need to…?








TALKING ABOUT YOUR PLANS (#ulink_216613e8-75bc-5adc-bfa2-f876080ffd8b)


When you are talking about your plans to stay somewhere, you can use the future tense or the present tense in Italian. For more information on the future and present tenses, see here (#litres_trial_promo).




I’ll…








I’m going to…








I’m staying…





If you want to say that you intend to do something, you can use ho intenzione di or conto di (I intend to).




I intend to…








COMPLAINING (#ulink_8368dc69-67aa-5445-9094-eb342a673d0c)


Unfortunately the service you get in your accommodation may not always be perfect. A very simple way of complaining is to say what the problem is using c’è (there is) and ci sono (there are), or non c’è (there isn’t) and non ci sono (there aren’t).




There’s…








There isn’t…





You can also use the verb essere (to be) to describe what the problem is.




It’s…





BUONO A SAPERSI!

Remember that with most expressions such as it’s hot or it’s cold in Italian, you should use the verb fare (to do), not essere (to be).




LISTEN OUT FOR (#ulink_f579ac5b-31fc-5fb9-a393-3d5577ec3ed6)


Here are some key phrases which you are likely to hear when you’re looking for somewhere to stay.






Lifestyle Tips (#ulink_7e720165-6337-5e07-9454-28db38ec03ee)

• If you are renting a property for a longish period, but haven’t moved to Italy in any kind of permanent way, you are likely to be offered a contratto per non residenti (contract for non-residents).

• Short-term rented property is normally furnished (ammobiliato), while long-term rented accommodation is usually unfurnished (non ammobiliato).

• It is less common in Italy to share a flat with other tenants, unless you are a student. However, it is possible to rent una camera ammobiliata (a furnished room) in a flat or a house.

• Properties are described by size in square metres and number of rooms, for example appartamento ammobiliato di 80 m2, salotto, cucina abitabile, camera da letto, cameretta, bagno con doccia, balcone, cantina (80 m2 furnished flat, sitting room, dining kitchen, double bedroom, single bedroom, bathroom with shower, balcony, storage cellar).

• A studio apartment is called un monolocale in Italian, literally a one-room flat, with sleeping and cooking facilities in the one room. They can be quite smart, and are often rented by professionals who need to be in a town from time to time, or by visitors who prefer them to hotels.

• If a flat is described as being in a stabile d’epoca, it means it is in a period building.

• If you are looking to rent for a longer period, you will find adverts in local papers and on websites, as well as signs on doors of buildings with contact phone numbers. You could also contact the local agenzie immobiliari (estate agents), who will normally charge a commission.

• As a tourist, you may be staying in un hotel or albergo, una pensione, un bed&breakfast (now quite common), un agriturismo (where guests eat the farm’s own produce), un appartamento, una villa or un residence (very often a luxurious option, with serviced furnished flats of different sizes, fitness area, pool, conference rooms, etc.).





Wining and dining (#ulink_d823fba5-18e4-5013-ba48-ec5f9135b58a)

Buon appetito! – Enjoy your meal! (#ulink_0cac59e9-127f-565a-aa55-dd25c3c0ce7c)


If you’re going out for a meal in Italy either in a local trattoria or in a fancy restaurant, the phrases in this unit will give you the confidence to talk to the waiter and chat with your Italian friends in easy, natural Italian. We’ll also give you some tips on getting advice about what to order, and a few key phrases waiters are likely to use.




MAKING ARRANGEMENTS (#ulink_be236fb1-fadd-5e4e-8120-a57cd8a68d98)


If you want to make arrangements such as where and when to meet when you go out for a meal with Italian-speaking people, you can start by asking Dove…? (Where…?) and A che ora…? (What time…?).




Where…?








What time…?





If you want to check that the arrangements suit your friends or colleagues, you can use Va bene se…? (Does it suit you if…?).




Does it suit you if…?








It would suit me best to…





To check what is the best thing to do for others, use È meglio…? (Had we better…?).




Had we better…?









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