Common Italian Expressions You Should Know
In this article, I’m going to share with you a list of common Italian expressions you should know. These are useful phrases used quite frequently in everyday Italian conversations.
Basic Italian Responses
Non lo so – I don't know
Penso di sì – I think so
Penso di no – I don't think so
Assolutamente no! – Absolutely not!
Forse – Maybe
Va bene – All right
Certo – Sure
Sicuramente - For sure
(È) vero – (It's) true
Hai ragione – You're right
Tutto a posto? – Everything okay?
Italian Requests and Clarifications
Puoi ripetere (la domanda)? – Can you repeat (the question)?
Puoi parlare più lentamente? – Can you speak more slowly?
Cosa significa ...? – What does ... mean?
Come si dice ... in italiano? – How do you say ... in Italian?
Non capisco – I don’t understand
(Ho) capito – I understand / Got it
Puoi farmi un esempio? – Can you give me an example?
Puoi spiegarmelo di nuovo? – Can you explain it to me again?
Thinking or Hesitating in Italian
Fammici pensare – Let me think about it
Aspetta un attimo – Wait a second
Boh – I don’t know / Who knows (very informal)
Direi di sì / no – I’d say yes / no
Credo di sì / no – I believe so / I don’t believe so
Vediamo – Let’s see...
Bella domanda – Good question
Non saprei – I wouldn’t know / I’m not sure
Polite Italian Phrases
Per favore / per piacere – Please
Grazie – Thank you
Prego – You’re welcome
Di niente / di nulla – No problem
Figurati / Si figuri - Don’t mention it! (informal / formal)
Scusa / Mi scusi – Excuse me or Sorry (informal / formal)
(Con) permesso – Excuse me (to pass by)
Piacere (di conoscerti / conoscerla) – Nice to meet you (informal / formal)
Everyday Italian Filler Expressions
Davvero? – Really?
Capito – Got it
Che bello! – How nice!
Che peccato – What a shame
Ti va? – Do you feel like it? / Want to?
Magari! – I wish! / Hopefully!
Dai! – Come on! / No way!
Ma va! – No way! / Come on!