Guest blog by Dianne Hales, author of La Bella Lingua: My Love Affair with Italian, the World's Most Enchanting Language (compare prices).
I've spent more than 25 years learning as much Italian as I possibly can, but the question I'm often asked is "What do I need just to get by in Italy?" For starters, I suggest:
- Greetings. Know how to say "buongiorno" (bwohn-JOR-noh) for "Good morning" or "Good Day"; "buona sera" (BWOH-nah-SAY-ra) for "Good evening"; and "arrivederci" (ah-ree-vay-DEHR-chee) for goodbye (obligatory when you leave a shop or restaurant).
- Disclosure. Say up front, "Non parlo italiano" (nohn PAR-loh ee-tah-leeAH-non) for "I don't speak Italian." A good follow-up question: Parla inglese? (PAR-lah een-GLAY-zay) Do you speak English?
- Courtesy. Please, thank you, and you're welcome are the most important phrases in any language. The Italian phrases are "per favore" (pehr fah-VOH-ray); grazie (GRAHT-zee-ay) and prego (PRAY-goh).
- Personal preferences. Wherever you go, someone will ask, "Va bene?" (VAH BAY-ne): "Is it going well? Is everything okay?" If it is, you can reply "Si, bene!" (see BEHN-nay) for yes, all is well. "Mi piace" (mee pee-AH-chay) means "I like"; non mi piace, "I don't like it."
- Bottom line. You're going to be buying food, tickets, souvenirs and other irresistible things. Before you do, you'll want to know, "Quanto costa?" (KWAHN-toh KOH-sta): How much does it cost?
Buon viaggio!
Read more travel tips from Dianne and information about her blog in her blog submission.
Funny how some words stick with you after a particular experience. For example: On my first trip to Italy I asked the waiter in a restaurant “dov’e il bano?” He gestured around a corner and when I got to the only door the only written word on it was “spingere”. Frozen, I hesitated to proceed. Finally, I tried the door cautiously. From then on I have never forgotten the word SPINGERE…..Push!
A good way to avoid the confusion about when to start saying “buona sera” (usually much earlier than you think) is to say “Salve” which is correct in all cases!
I never heard the greeting “salve” used until spending a month in Liguria several years ago. The word is commonly used there.
I think salve is more commonly used in the north. When I was in Puglia a few weeks ago, I didn’t hear it.
Yes, “Salve!” is more common in the North than in the South–and, in my experience, in smaller towns and villages.
I’d also advise looking for the words “Signori” (Gentlemen) or “Signore” ladies on the door of la toilette. Failure to do so resulted in one of my life’s most embarassing moments: walking into a men’s room at Rome’s Fiumincino airport!
I had that same experience on a ferry many years ago, Dianne. Good advice – be sure you know that “I” is the masculine plural ending and “E” is the feminine although these days many public bathrooms have a picture to help.
Isn’t salve “hello” in latin? I’m surprised it isn’t used more often.