Easy Learning Italian Conversation

Why don’t…?

Perché non ci troviamo uno di questi giorni?Why don’t we get together sometime?Perché non invitiamo Fabio e la sua ragazza?Why don’t we invite Fabio and his girlfriend?Perché non li chiami?Why don’t you phone them?Perché non viene a pranzo con me?Why not meet me for lunch?

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.

How about…?

E se li invitassimo a cena?How about asking them round for dinner?E se venisse con noi?How about if You came with us?E se passassi a prenderti la mattina?How about if I picked you up in the morning?

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.

Should I…?

Dovrei invitare Anna?Should I invite Anna?Dovrei richiamarla?Should I call her back?Dovrei scusarmi?Should I apologize?

EXPRESSING OPINIONS

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.

I think…

Penso che sia una splendida idea.I think it’s a great idea.Penso proprio che sia troppo tardi per andare al cinema.I think it’s really too late to go to the cinema.Credo che Sonia abbia ragione.I think Sonia’s right.Non credo proprio che sia così.I don’t think that’s the case at all.Non credo che sia una buona idea rivederci.I don’t think it’s a good idea for us to see each other again.

In my opinion…

Secondo me è una buona idea.In my opinion, it’s a good idea.Secondo me ci creerà problemi.In my opinion, it will cause us problems.Secondo me è la decisione giusta.In my opinion, it’s the right decision.Per me non è vero.In my opinion, it’s not true.

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…?

Che ne pensa del suo ultimo film?What do You think of his latest movie?Che ne pensa di questo ristorante?What do You think of this restaurant?Che ne pensi di questa idea?What do you think of this idea?Che ne pensa?What do You think?

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

I agree…

Sono d’accordo.I agree.Sono d’accordo con Nigel.I agree with Nigel.Sono completamente d’accordo con lei!I entirely agree with You!Non sono del tutto d’accordo con Giovanni.I don’t altogether agree with Giovanni.Non condivido questa decisione.I don’t agree with this decision.

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…

Hai ragione!You’re right!Secondo me ha ragione.I think You’re right.Ha ragione Matteo.Matteo’s right.Credo che abbiate ragione voi.I think you’re right.Per me Marina ha torto.I think Marina is wrong.Fai male a non ascoltarla.You’re wrong not to listen to her.

TALKING ABOUT YOUR PLANS

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.

I’m…

Vedo Gianni giovedì.I’m seeing Gianni on Thursday.La vedo questo pomeriggio.I’m seeing her this afternoon.Andiamo al cinema stasera.We’re going to the cinema tonight.Pranziamo insieme venerdì prossimo.We’re going for lunch next Friday.

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).

I’m going to…

Gli telefonerò.I’m going to phone him.Lo avvertirò che non posso venire.I’m going to let him know I can’t come.Dirò loro di venire un po’ più tardi.I’m going to tell them to come a bit later.Usciamo a cena domani sera.We’re going to go out for dinner tomorrow night.Andiamo a trovarli lunedì.We’re going to go and see them on Monday.

Are you going to…?

Glielo dici oggi?Are you going to tell him the news today?Pensi di rivederlo?Are you going to see him again?Lei ci va a questa festa?Are You going to go to this party?Comprerà una casa?Are You going to buy a house?

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…

Ho intenzione di invitarla a bere qualcosa.I intend to ask her out for a drink.Ho intenzione di andarli a trovare quest’estate.I intend to go and see them this summer.Abbiamo intenzione di invitarlo durante la vacanze.We intend to invite him over during the holidays.Intendo sistemare la questione prima possibile.I intend to sort out this problem as soon as possible.

Do you intend to…?

Hai intenzione di andare al matrimonio di Carlo e Mariella?Do you intend to go to Carlo and Mariella’s wedding?Ha intenzione di contattarli?Do You intend to get in touch with them?Cosa hai intenzione di dire?What do you intend to say?Intende restare in questa zona?Do You intend to stay in this area?Come intendi dargli la notizia?How do you intend to tell him the news?

MAKING ARRANGEMENTS

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.

Is it okay by you if…?

Le va bene cenare alle nove?Is it okay by You if we have dinner at nine?Le va bene alle due?Is two o’clock okay by You?Ti va bene se ti telefono la settimana prossima?Will it be okay if I phone you next week?Vi va bene se restiamo d’accordo così?Would this arrangement be okay by you?

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 and here.

Would you prefer it if…?

Preferisci che ci incontriamo in centro?Would you prefer it if we met in town?Preferisce che ci troviamo al ristorante?Would You prefer it if we met at the restaurant?Preferite che vi passi a prendere?Would you prefer me to come and collect you?Preferirebbe andare allo spettacolo dopo?Would You prefer it if we went to the later show?

Is it better to…?

È meglio invitare anche sua moglie?Is it better to invite his wife as well?È meglio se ti chiamo di sera?Is it better to ring you in the evening?È meglio se l’avvisiamo prima di venire?Is it better to let You know before we drop in?

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…?

Siamo d’accordo per la data?Are we agreed on the date?Siamo d’accordo su dove trovarci?Are we agreed on where to meet?D’accordo, signora?Are we agreed, madam?Allora d’accordo?Are we agreed, then?D’accordo.Agreed!

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

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.

I have to…

Devo fare una telefonata.I have to make a phone call.Devo stare a casa stasera.I have to stay in tonight.Devo andare a cena con i colleghi.I have to go out to dinner with my colleagues.Dobbiamo essere là alle otto in punto.We have to be there at eight o’clock sharp.

I must…

Devo finire prima delle due.I must finish before two o’clock.Adesso devo proprio andare.I really must go now.Devo telefonare a mia moglie.I must call my wife.

Do you have to…?

Devi dargli una risposta oggi?Do you have to give him an answer today?Deve andare subito?Do You have to go right now?Dobbiamo portare qualcosa?Do we have to bring something?

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.

I should…

Dovrei chiamare Anne.I should call Anne.Dovrei darle il mio numero di cellulare.I should give You my mobile number.Dovreste venire a trovarci.You should come and see us.

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.

What do you have to…?

Cosa deve fare?What do You have to do?Quando devi partire?When do you have to go?Perché dovete rientrare così presto?Why do you have to go back so soon?

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…

Non sono obbligato a restare in albergo.I don’t have to stay at the hotel.Non sono obbligata a invitarli da me, se è tardi.I don’t have to invite them back, if it’s late.Non siamo obbligati a coinvolgere tutta la famiglia.We don’t have to involve the whole family.

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…

Non devo fare tardi anche stasera.I mustn’t be late again tonight.Non devo perdere il suo numero.I mustn’t lose his number.Non dobbiamo vederci più.We mustn’t see each other again.

LISTEN OUT FOR

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

Salve, come va?Hi, how are you?Ci conosciamo?Have we met before?È qua con amici?Are You here with friends?Di dove sei?Where are you from?Quanto vi fermate a Catania?How long are you staying in Catania?Da quanto studia l’italiano?How long have You been learning Italian?Riesce a seguire la conversazione?Are You following the conversation?Veramente, parli un ottimo italiano.Your Italian is really very good.Parlo troppo veloce?Am I speaking too fast?Preferisce se parlo inglese?Would You prefer it if I spoke English?Vuole che ripeta?Would You like me to say it again?Vuole che parli più piano?Do You want me to speak more slowly?Capisce il dialetto?Do You understand dialect?Mi scusi, ma parlo un pessimo inglese.I’m sorry, but my English is really bad.Mi può dare del tu.You can call me tu.Potremmo darci del tu.Shall we call each other tu?È sposata?Are You married?Avete figli?Have you got any children?Vieni qua spesso?Do you come here often?Mi piacerebbe rivederti.I’d like to see you again.

Lifestyle Tips

• 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 say tu to 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

Buon viaggio! – Have a good trip!

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

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.

I’ll…

Passerò una settimana a Roma.I’ll spend a week in Rome.Raggiungerò degli amici a Ferrara.I’ll be joining some friends in Ferrara.Torneremo a Milano per il fine settimana.We’ll get back to Milan for the weekend.E poi vado a Pisa.Then I’ll go to Pisa.Torniamo a Napoli dopo una settimana.We’ll go back to Naples a week later.Ci fermiamo qui fino alla fine del mese.We’ll be staying here till the end of the month.

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…

Ho intenzione di prendere il treno delle sette.I intend to get the seven o’clock train.Ho intenzione di passare la giornata a Catania.I’m going to spend the day in Catania.E poi abbiamo intenzione di andare a Palermo.Then we’re going to go to Palermo.Abbiamo intenzione di fare la strada costiera.We intend to drive along the coast.

I’m planning to…

Ho in programma di noleggiare una macchina.I’m planning to hire a car.Ho in programma di andare in Sicilia.I’m planning to go to Sicily.Conto di passare due giorni a Cortina.I plan to spend two days in Cortina.

I hope to…

Spero di andare in Toscana quest’anno.I hope to go to Tuscany this year.Spero di visitare gli Uffizi.I hope to visit the Uffizi.Speriamo di riuscire a vedere tutto.We hope we can see everything.

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…

Salvo imprevisti arrivo entro venerdì.If all goes to plan, I’ll be there by Friday.Se tutto va bene, ci fermiamo prima a Taormina.If all goes to plan, we’re going to stop in Taormina first.

SAYING WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO

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.

I have to…

Domani devo comprare il biglietto per il traghetto.I have to buy my ticket for the ferry tomorrow.Devo prima prendere il treno per Parma.I have to get the train to Parma first.Devo andare a prendere la macchina entro le tre.I have to pick up the car before three.Deve presentare la patente.You have to show your driving licence.