Italian phrases to use in Rome
The people in Rome are generally accepting of tourists, and the non-Italian speakers. However, you are going to gain just that tiny little bit more respect from the Italians if you are polite, courteous and attempt at understanding their beautiful language.
That’s why when you’re visiting Italy, it’s essential that you get to know just a few phrases that are going to make life a little bit easier.
So you’ve just arrived in Rome, after a flight in the pressurised air cabin, with some crying baby sitting directly behind you, and you’ve already spilt you miniature can of Coke, which cost well over 2 pounds, all over your trousers. All you want to do is get up to your hotel room, take a shower and have a nap. But what’s this? The porter is waiting patiently at your door, head held high and obviously waiting for something; Ahh of course, the obligatory tip.
“Grazie per il vostro aiuto, signore. Qui è la vostra punta.”
“Thank you for your help, sir. Here is your tip.”
Having manners and respect for everyone is surely a trait that should be embraced by everyone, so don’t forget to be polite and appreciative of everything that is done for you.
You’ve just woken up, and realised that you’re absolutely famished. Of course, you’re in Italy, the place that boasts the best pasta, the mouth watering pasta sauce, an array of dishes featuring tomato, garlic and basil. And of course, the wood fired pizzas, with a complete spectrum of toppings, themes and flavours that are created to entice you. After a quick walk around the area of your hotel, you discover a quaint little pizza café, with tea light candles glowing and giving the round marble tables a slight luminescence. The traditional Italian feel is there, and you can’t help but be enchanted by the pizza café’s presence. You sit down, and are shortly visited by your waiter for the evening. Don’t forget to be polite!
“Buona sera”
“Good evening.”
“Vorrei ordinare una pizza, prego.”
“I would like to order a pizza, please.”
At this point, your waiter will ask you for your desired toppings, or present you with a list that explains the different flavours available.
Make your decision, and reply, and make sure you’re polite. Your waiter will then diligently ask you what you’d like to drink. He or she will say:
“Che cosa vorreste bere?”
Reply with your chosen beverage (Water = acqua, wine = vino, beer = birra, soft drink = bibita analcolica), and make sure you smile and be polite in case you accidentally mess up your phrase. Try explaining that you’re not Italian, but are trying to learn the language, to avoid any mishaps with understanding.
After your delicious meal, you may want to take a stroll around one of the many tourist destinations that are available.
“Un biglietto per favore”
“One ticket please!” you’ll say to the attendant waiting to sell tickets for the tourist destination.
These are not entirely correct phrases (I don’t speak Italian, although I wish I did! Thank you dictionary.com for your fantastic translator!) but they will certainly aid you on your way to asking for things politely during your trip to Rome. Without manners and a small under standing of the Italian language, you could just end up in a bit of trouble, or even lost and without help from the Italian natives.
It’s a great idea to invest in a small Italian phrase book to keep by your side, to use in the case of emergency, and remember that smiles and manners are going to get you the farthest when communicating with the Italian people.