Learning some basic Italian phrases is an important part of planning a trip to Italy. The more you can communicate in the native tongue, the more people will like you and be willing to help you. While you will find English speakers in major cities, even these people will appreciate the effort you took to learn their language.

Pronunciation is Everything
Whether you're taking a classroom course on Italian or learning it on your own with a home-study course or Web site, be sure that there are audio pronunciations available for common phrases, and that you can play them as often as needed. Hearing the phrases spoken will be very useful to you in learning correct pronunciation. That way you have the best chance of getting your message across and being able to communicate with those around you. While learning these phrases, try to read, listen and repeat each one so you get experience speaking correctly and reading the letters the way they are pronounced in Italian.

Travelers should make a point of learning the formal constructions of Italian phrases, which use plural rather than singular verbs. Italian is a romance language with formal and informal constructions, and it's considered rude to address people you've just met in an informal tone. Focus on learning the formal forms; if you do make a close friend during your travels, he or she will be happy to teach you the informal versions of phrases.

Here are some essential travel phrases to learn or have handy while traveling in Italy:

• Yes: Si
• No: No
• Please: Per favore
• Thank you: Grazie
• Excuse me: Mi scusi
• Hello: Ciao (informal), or Salve (formal); young people almost exclusively use ciao
• Good morning: Buongiurno
• Good evening: Buonasera
• Good night: Buona notte
• Where is…?: Dove…?
• I don’t know: Io non lo so
• Train: treno
• Subway: sottopassaggio
• Airport:  aeroporto
• Train station: stazione ferroviaria
• Ticket: biglietto
• Departure: partenza
• Arrival: arrivo
• Can you help me? Potrebbe aiutarmi? (formal)
• Do you speak English? Parla inglese?
• Excuse me, what did you say? Scusi, che cosa ha detto?
• Where is the bathroom? Dov’è la toeletta?
• What is your name? Come si chiama, Lei?

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