Daily Words & Sentences

Learn the most common Italian words used in daily life, each in a real sentence. Research shows learning words in context is far more effective than memorizing isolated vocabulary.

500 words & phrases

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Complete Word List

Word / PhraseTranslation
CiaoHello / Goodbye
BuongiornoGood morning
BuonaseraGood evening
BuonanotteGood night
GrazieThank you
PregoYou're welcome
Per favorePlease
Scusa / ScusiExcuse me / Sorry
Yes
NoNo
EssereTo be
AvereTo have
FareTo do / To make
AndareTo go
VenireTo come
DireTo say / To tell
PotereCan / To be able to
VolereTo want
DovereMust / To have to
SapereTo know (a fact)
Come stai?How are you?
Sto beneI'm fine
Mi chiamo...My name is...
Va beneOkay / All right
Quanto costa?How much does it cost?
Dov'è...?Where is...?
Mi piaceI like
Non capiscoI don't understand
ArrivederciGoodbye (formal)
A dopoSee you later
CasaHouse / Home
AcquaWater
TempoTime / Weather
GiornoDay
Amico / AmicaFriend (m/f)
LavoroWork / Job
MangiareTo eat
BereTo drink
ParlareTo speak
CapireTo understand
Bello / BellaBeautiful / Nice
Buono / BuonaGood
GrandeBig / Great
Piccolo / PiccolaSmall / Little
Nuovo / NuovaNew
OggiToday
DomaniTomorrow
IeriYesterday
SempreAlways
MaiNever
Per piacerePlease (formal)
AncheAlso / Too
MoltoVery / A lot
PocoA little / Few
Qui / QuaHere
Lì / LàThere
CosaWhat / Thing
QuandoWhen
DoveWhere
PerchéWhy / Because
Il conto, per favoreThe bill, please
Vorrei...I would like...
ColazioneBreakfast
PranzoLunch
CenaDinner
Uno, due, treOne, two, three
FamigliaFamily
ScuolaSchool
LibroBook
StradaStreet / Road
Ci vediamoSee you
D'accordoAgreed / Alright
Non lo soI don't know
Mi dispiaceI'm sorry
AlloraSo / Then / Well
GuardareTo look / To watch
AscoltareTo listen
LeggereTo read
ScrivereTo write
DormireTo sleep
AiutareTo help
AspettareTo wait
CercareTo look for / To search
ComprareTo buy
LavorareTo work
PagareTo pay
TornareTo return / To go back
UsareTo use
VivereTo live
ChiudereTo close
AprireTo open
PrendereTo take / To have (food)
ChiamareTo call
TrovareTo find
DareTo give
StareTo stay / To be (condition)
GiocareTo play
CucinareTo cook
CominciareTo start / To begin
FinireTo finish / To end
TelefonoPhone
MacchinaCar
CittàCity
Bambino / BambinaChild (m/f)
SeraEvening
MattinaMorning
SoldiMoney
PaeseCountry / Village
ProblemaProblem
SettimanaWeek
NegozioShop / Store
SupermercatoSupermarket
StazioneStation
AeroportoAirport
OspedaleHospital
FarmaciaPharmacy
BigliettoTicket
RistoranteRestaurant
Albergo / HotelHotel
PiazzaSquare (city)
CaldoHot / Warm
FreddoCold
VeloceFast / Quick
LentoSlow
FacileEasy
PossibilePossible
NecessarioNecessary
ImportanteImportant
Primo / UltimoFirst / Last
Giusto / SbagliatoRight / Wrong
Computer / PortatileComputer / Laptop
InternetInternet
MessaggioMessage
Foto / FotografiaPhoto / Picture
MusicaMusic
SportSport
VacanzaVacation / Holiday
RegaloGift / Present
CompleannoBirthday
FestaParty / Holiday
RossoRed
Blu / AzzurroBlue / Light blue
VerdeGreen
Bianco / NeroWhite / Black
GialloYellow / Mystery novel
Madre / MammaMother / Mom
Padre / PapàFather / Dad
Fratello / SorellaBrother / Sister
Nonno / NonnaGrandfather / Grandmother
Figlio / FigliaSon / Daughter
Buon appetito!Enjoy your meal!
In ritardoLate
In anticipoEarly
Auguri!Best wishes! / Congratulations!
Salute!Bless you! / Cheers!
Cin cin!Cheers! (when toasting)
Che bello!How nice! / How beautiful!
Che peccato!What a shame! / Too bad!
Basta!Enough! / Stop!
Andiamo!Let's go!
Word / PhraseTranslation
ComunqueAnyway / However
MagariMaybe / I wish / Hopefully
InfattiIn fact / Indeed
InsommaIn short / So-so
Secondo meIn my opinion
Meno maleThank goodness
DaiCome on! / Go ahead
PurtroppoUnfortunately
AppenaJust (now) / As soon as
PiuttostoRather / Quite
Ricordare / RicordarsiTo remember
DimenticareTo forget
PensareTo think
CredereTo believe
ProvareTo try / To feel
ScegliereTo choose
SpiegareTo explain
ImparareTo learn
ConoscereTo know (a person/place)
SuccedereTo happen
Ce la faccioI can do it / I'll manage
Mi sa che...I think that... / It seems like...
In bocca al lupo!Good luck! (lit: in the mouth of the wolf)
Non vedo l'oraI can't wait
Fare la spesaTo do grocery shopping
Avere ragioneTo be right
Avere tortoTo be wrong
Avere frettaTo be in a hurry
Avere voglia diTo feel like / To want
MetterciTo take (time)
QuartiereNeighborhood
EsperienzaExperience
ConsiglioAdvice / Tip
AbitudineHabit
Sbaglio / ErroreMistake / Error
Preoccupato / PreoccupataWorried
Stanco / StancaTired
GentileKind / Polite
DivertenteFun / Funny
DifficileDifficult
AssolutamenteAbsolutely
PraticamentePractically / Basically
In realtàActually / In reality
InnanzituttoFirst of all
InoltreFurthermore / Moreover
NonostanteDespite / Although
Sembra che...It seems that...
Fare tardiTo be late
Fare una passeggiataTo take a walk
Dare fastidioTo bother / To annoy
SvegliaAlarm clock / Wake up
AppuntamentoAppointment / Date
ViaggioTrip / Travel
SpettacoloShow / Performance
RaccontareTo tell (a story)
PrenotareTo book / To reserve
Arrangiare / ArrangiarsiTo manage / To get by
TrasferirsiTo move (to a new place)
Vale la penaIt's worth it
Qualcosa del genereSomething like that
TranneExcept / Apart from
AltrimentiOtherwise
QuindiTherefore / So
AnziOn the contrary / Actually
EppureAnd yet / Nevertheless
Perfino / AddiritturaEven / Actually
OppureOr (alternative)
MentreWhile / Whereas
ProprioReally / Exactly / Own
MicaNot at all (emphatic negative)
CambiareTo change
DecidereTo decide
PerdereTo lose / To miss
VincereTo win
RimanereTo stay / To remain
SpendereTo spend (money)
RisparmiareTo save (money)
IncontrarsiTo meet up
SentirsiTo feel / To keep in touch
Occuparsi diTo take care of / To deal with
ComodoComfortable / Convenient
ScomodoUncomfortable / Inconvenient
Simpatico / SimpaticaNice / Likeable
AntipaticoUnpleasant / Unlikeable
FurboCunning / Clever / Sly
OrgogliosoProud
ArrabbiatoAngry
ContentoHappy / Glad
TristeSad
GelosoJealous
Fare colpo suTo impress / To make an impression on
Andare d'accordoTo get along
Fare i compitiTo do homework
Prendere un caffèTo have a coffee
Fare un favoreTo do a favor
Avere fameTo be hungry
Avere seteTo be thirsty
Avere sonnoTo be sleepy
Avere pauraTo be afraid
Avere bisogno diTo need
RiunioneMeeting
CollegaColleague
StipendioSalary
ColloquioJob interview
ObiettivoObjective / Goal
ScadenzaDeadline
GestireTo manage / To handle
OrganizzareTo organize
ConsegnareTo deliver / To hand in
CollaborareTo collaborate
InnamorarsiTo fall in love
Fidanzato / FidanzataBoyfriend / Girlfriend
LitigareTo argue / To quarrel
Fidarsi diTo trust
PerdonareTo forgive
MancareTo miss (someone) / To lack
PromettereTo promise
SopportareTo bear / To stand / To put up with
ApprezzareTo appreciate
PreoccuparsiTo worry
PioggiaRain
SoleSun
NeveSnow
VentoWind
MareSea
MontagnaMountain
TestaHead
CuoreHeart
Occhio / OcchiEye / Eyes
VoceVoice
SaluteHealth / Cheers (toast)
MedicinaMedicine
DolorePain
GuarireTo heal / To recover
RilassarsiTo relax
AllenarsiTo work out / To train
DietaDiet
RicettaRecipe / Prescription
StressatoStressed
SanoHealthy
AutobusBus
TrenoTrain
A destra / A sinistraTo the right / To the left
Dritto / DirittoStraight ahead
Vicino / LontanoNear / Far
AttraversareTo cross
GuidareTo drive
ParcheggiareTo park
TrafficoTraffic
PatenteDriver's license
IngredienteIngredient
AssaggiareTo taste / To try (food)
SquisitoDelicious / Exquisite
DolceSweet / Dessert
SalatoSalty / Savory
EsameExam
CorsoCourse / Class
CompitoHomework / Task
LaureaUniversity degree
FrequentareTo attend / To frequent
VestitoDress / Suit / Clothes
ScarpeShoes
GiaccaJacket
IndossareTo wear
ProvareTo try on / To try
Word / PhraseTranslation
Rendersi contoTo realize
Dare per scontatoTo take for granted
Fare a meno diTo do without / To manage without
Andare stortoTo go wrong
Prendere in giroTo make fun of / To tease
Far finta diTo pretend
Lascia stareLet it go / Forget about it
Prestare attenzioneTo pay attention
A quanto pareApparently
Per quanto riguardaAs for / Regarding
Riuscire aTo manage to / To succeed in
AccorgersiTo notice / To realize
CavarselaTo get by / To manage
LamentarsiTo complain
Approfittare diTo take advantage of
ImpegnarsiTo commit / To make an effort
SostenereTo support / To maintain
AffrontareTo face / To deal with
RiguardareTo concern / To regard
Rinunciare aTo give up / To renounce
Tant'è cheSo much so that
Non è un granchéIt's not a big deal / It's nothing special
Non c'entra nienteIt has nothing to do with it
Stare zitto/aTo stay quiet / To shut up
Fare caso aTo notice / To pay attention to
Andare a trovareTo visit someone
Avere in menteTo have in mind
Tanto per cambiareFor a change (ironic)
Pian pianoLittle by little / Slowly
Man mano cheAs / Gradually
ImpegnativoDemanding / Challenging
DisponibileAvailable / Helpful
NotevoleRemarkable / Notable
SfidaChallenge
TraguardoGoal / Milestone
CapacitàAbility / Capacity
AtteggiamentoAttitude
FaccendaChore / Matter
Fare una bella figuraTo make a good impression
Fare brutta figuraTo make a bad impression / To embarrass oneself
ApprofondireTo deepen / To explore further
CogliereTo seize / To catch / To grasp
SvolgereTo carry out / To perform
PretendereTo demand / To expect
RaggiungereTo reach / To achieve
ProporreTo propose / To suggest
CoinvolgereTo involve
SuperareTo overcome / To surpass
ContribuireTo contribute
InfluenzareTo influence
Fare due chiacchiereTo have a chat
Non importaIt doesn't matter
Per caritàFor goodness' sake / God forbid
Fare il pienoTo fill up (gas)
Fare finta di nienteTo pretend nothing happened
Tirare fuoriTo pull out / To bring up
Andare avantiTo move forward / To go on
Mettere da parteTo put aside / To save
Tenere a menteTo keep in mind
Stare perTo be about to
BenessereWell-being
AmbitoField / Area / Scope
SvantaggioDisadvantage
ComportamentoBehavior
SviluppoDevelopment
MiglioramentoImprovement
ConvintoConvinced / Sure
FondamentaleFundamental / Essential
SignificativoSignificant / Meaningful
AdeguatoAdequate / Suitable
Fare la filaTo wait in line / To queue
Far sapereTo let someone know
Mettersi d'accordoTo come to an agreement
Darsi da fareTo get busy / To make an effort
Fare a menoTo do without
Tenere conto diTo take into account
Venire in menteTo come to mind
Dare retta aTo listen to / To heed
Avere a che fare conTo have to do with / To deal with
Prendere in considerazioneTo take into consideration
ResponsabilitàResponsibility
OpportunitàOpportunity
ConseguenzaConsequence
SoluzioneSolution
LibertàFreedom / Liberty
GiustiziaJustice
ConoscenzaKnowledge
CrescitaGrowth
SorprendenteSurprising / Amazing
InevitabileInevitable
AmmettereTo admit
EsagerareTo exaggerate
SfruttareTo exploit / To take advantage of
CostringereTo force / To compel
SottovalutareTo underestimate
ValorizzareTo value / To enhance
TrascurareTo neglect
GarantireTo guarantee
DimostrareTo demonstrate / To prove
IndividuareTo identify / To pinpoint
SocietàSociety / Company
AmbienteEnvironment
UguaglianzaEquality
CondividereTo share
RispettareTo respect
TradizioneTradition
PatrimonioHeritage / Assets
AppartenereTo belong
SensibilizzareTo raise awareness
SostenibileSustainable
A propositoBy the way / Speaking of which
Di conseguenzaConsequently / As a result
In fin dei contiAfter all / When all is said and done
D'altra parteOn the other hand
Nel frattempoIn the meantime / Meanwhile
Sia...sia / Sia...cheBoth...and
Né...néNeither...nor
PurchéProvided that / As long as
A meno cheUnless
Piuttosto cheRather than
Word / PhraseTranslation
Avere le mani in pastaTo have a finger in every pie
Acqua in bocca!Keep it secret! (lit: water in mouth)
Non avere peli sulla linguaTo not mince words / To be blunt
Avere la botte piena e la moglie ubriacaTo have your cake and eat it too
Essere al settimo cieloTo be on cloud nine / To be thrilled
Chi dorme non piglia pesciThe early bird catches the worm (lit: who sleeps doesn't catch fish)
Tra il dire e il fare c'è di mezzo il mareEasier said than done (lit: between saying and doing there's the sea)
Ogni morte di papaOnce in a blue moon (lit: every death of a pope)
Piove sul bagnatoWhen it rains, it pours (lit: it rains on the wet)
Non tutte le ciambelle riescono col bucoThings don't always go as planned (lit: not all donuts come out with a hole)
Tirare avantiTo get by / To keep going
Avere il coraggio diTo have the courage to
Prendere una decisioneTo make a decision
Essere nelle nuvoleTo have one's head in the clouds
Avere le carte in regolaTo have all the qualifications / To meet the requirements
Tenere il passoTo keep up / To keep pace
Mettere in discussioneTo question / To challenge
Andare in giroTo go around / To hang out
Dare nell'occhioTo attract attention / To stand out
Essere in gambaTo be capable / To be clever
Buono come il paneGood as bread (a very kind person)
L'erba del vicino è sempre più verdeThe grass is always greener on the other side
Chi va piano, va sano e va lontanoSlow and steady wins the race
Il mattino ha l'oro in boccaThe early bird catches the worm (lit: morning has gold in its mouth)
A mali estremi, estremi rimediDesperate times call for desperate measures
Affogare in un bicchier d'acquaTo drown in a glass of water (to be overwhelmed by small things)
Conosco i miei polliI know my chickens (I know what I'm dealing with)
Rompere il ghiaccioTo break the ice
Colto con le mani nel saccoCaught red-handed (lit: caught with hands in the bag)
L'abito non fa il monacoDon't judge a book by its cover (lit: clothes don't make the monk)
Caduto dalle nuvoleFallen from the clouds (completely surprised)
Mal comune, mezzo gaudioMisery loves company (shared trouble is half joy)
Tutto fa brodoEvery little bit counts (lit: everything makes broth)
Un pezzo grossoA big shot / An important person
Raro come una mosca biancaExtremely rare (lit: rare as a white fly)
Le bugie hanno le gambe corteLies have short legs (lies don't go far)
Trovarsi fra l'incudine e il martelloBetween a rock and a hard place (between anvil and hammer)
Ha molto sale in zuccaVery smart (lit: has a lot of salt in the pumpkin)
Sputa il rospo!Spit it out! / Say what's on your mind! (lit: spit the toad)
Prendere il toro per le cornaTo take the bull by the horns
Non stare più nella pelleTo be beside oneself with excitement
Cercare il pelo nell'uovoTo split hairs / To nitpick (lit: look for a hair in an egg)
Piangere come una fontanaTo cry one's eyes out (lit: to cry like a fountain)
Avere un cervello di gallinaTo be scatterbrained (lit: have a hen's brain)
Avere le braccine corteTo be stingy (lit: to have short arms)
Cane non mangia caneDog doesn't eat dog (honor among thieves)
Tale padre, tale figlioLike father, like son
Hai voluto la bicicletta? Pedala!You made your bed, now lie in it! (lit: you wanted the bike? Pedal!)
Adagiarsi sugli alloriTo rest on one's laurels
I frutti proibiti sono i più dolciForbidden fruit is the sweetest
Morto un papa, se ne fa un altroLife goes on (lit: one pope dies, another is made)
Farsene un baffoTo not care at all (lit: make a mustache of it)
Mettere i puntini sulle iTo dot the i's (to be precise)
Fare orecchie da mercanteTo turn a deaf ear (lit: make merchant's ears)
Dare la zappa sui piediTo shoot oneself in the foot (lit: hit your feet with a hoe)