La Fine = The End
As I jet off on my holibobs, here is the last post in the learn Italian series:
I hope you've enjoyed the series. If you want a re-cap, you can find the entire series here.
Showing posts with label italian phrase of the day. Show all posts
Showing posts with label italian phrase of the day. Show all posts
Italian Phrase of the Day: B come Bambino
B come Bambino = B for Baby
After everything you've learned so far, I have now realised that it is time to learn how to pronounce all of those phrases.
The Italian alphabet contains twenty-one. Five other letters are found in foreign words in Italian:
"A" like father
"B" like balloon
"C" like the "ch" in church, if before an "e" or an "i"
"C" like cat, for the rest of the time
"D" like debt
"E" either like bet or pay
"F" like fair
"G" like gem, if before an "e" or an "i"
"G" like goal, for the rest of the time
"H" is silent, is often used between "g" or "c" and "e" and "i", to change the sound
"I" like machine
"J" is a foreign letter
"K" is another foreign letter
"L" like liquid
"M" like machine
"N" like navy
"O" like ball, can also be like boat
"P" like pizza
"Q" has the same sound as a "c" in cat
"R" is always rolled. Not sure there is an equivalent in English
"S" is like maze when is single, or like snake when doubled
"T" like take
"U" like boot
"V" like vision
"W" is another foreign letter
"X" is another foreign letter
"Y" is another foreign letter
"Z" is "dz" when single, or "ts" when doubled
Italian Phrase of the Day: vorrei noleggiare un pedalò
Vorrei noleggiare un pedalò = I would like to hire a pedalo
Il lago di Molveno was my very first experience of Italian lakes when I arrived for my year abroad in 2004. I fell in love immediately. It was a balmy September and the lakes provided a welcome escape from the heat of the towns. The following summer, I spent most weekends at the different lakes in the region. The best way to enjoy the water of the lakes is to hire a pedalo and drift off into the water, before jumping off for a cooling swim.
Dov'è la migliore spiaggia? = Where is the best beach?
Vorrei noleggiare una barca = I would like to hire a boat
Posso fare immersioni? = Can I dive here?
Posso fare surf? = Can I surf here?
Avete ombrelloni? = Do you have parasols?
Avete crema solare? = Do you have sun screen?
Avete un tavolo fuori, per favore? = Do you have a table outside, please?
È caldo, non è vero? = It's hot, isn't it?
Have you been to the beach this summer? If so, where did you go? I'd love to hear all about your holidays!
For some truly beautiful beach photos, be sure to check out the Pics By Polka Dot.
And finally, remember to enter my giveaway which closes on Monday.
Italian Phrase of the Day: Vorrei un biglietto per Roma
Vorrei un biglietto per ... (Roma) = I’d like a ticket to ... (Rome)
Today's lesson - which I realise is a little later than usual - is buying tickets. I have always been told that public transport in Italy is terrible - by Italians. My experience tells me this is not the case - I think that the Italian railway network is fabulous for travel around the country. The first thing to realise is that there are different "classes" of train: The regionale (R) which are the cheapest and slowest, in that they stop at almost every stop, however I have also found them the most reliable - they also, often, have proper old fashioned carriages, like those seen in Harry Potter! The interregionale (IR) trains are pretty much the same are the regionale with maybe a little more in the way of amenities. Intercity (IC) and Eurocity (EC) trains are one and the same really - they tend to stop less and be more expensive; the only difference is that the Eurocity trains connect Italian cities to "international" destinations, for example, Zurich to Florence and Verona to Munich. Intercity Notte (ICN) and Eurocity Notte (ECN) trains are again, the same but travel through the night and provide sleeping berths, which must be booked. Finally, EuroStar (ES) trains - not the same as those that connect London with Paris (!!) - are the creme de la creme of the Italian railway network, however, beware - I have only ever been late (i.e. once missed a flight!) due to the EuroStar service! These trains are, obviously, more expensive than the others and, as such, provide a clean and spacious carriage experience. These trains connect big cities and does not stop at any smaller stations. Now, you need to know how to buy tickets for your train journey:
Dov'è la biglietteria? = Where's the ticket office?
Vorrei due biglietti per ... (Firenze), per favore = I'd like to have two tickets to ... (Florence), please
Vorrei un biglietto per la metropolitana, per favore = I'd like to have one ticket to the subway, please
Posso comprare i biglietti per l'autobus qui? = Can I buy bus tickets here?
Un biglietto di solo andata per ... (Milano), per favore = A one-way ticket to ... (Milan), please
Un biglietto andata e ritorno, per favore = A return ticket, please.
Devo cambiare? = Do I have to change?
Italian Phrase of the Day: vorrei prenotare una camera, per favore
Vorrei prenotare una camera, per favore = I would like to book a room, please
Today's lesson is in booking a room so that you can spend a night in the beautiful country that is Italy.
First, decide where you want to stay:
Un bed e breakfast = bed and breakfast
Un campeggio = campsite
Una pensione = guesthouse
Un albergo = hotel
Una locanda = an inn/budget hotel
Una camera = a room
Un ostello della gioventù = youth hostel
Now book the room:
Ho una prenotazione = I have a reservation
Avete una camera ...? = Do you have a ... room?
doppia con letto matrimoniale = double
singola = single
doppia a due letti = twin
Quanto costa per ...? = How much is it per ...?
una notte = night
persona = person
una settimana = week
Vorrei rimanere (due) notte ... = I'd like to stay for (two) nights ...
... dal (tre luglio) al (cinque luglio) = from (3 July) to (6 July)
Siamo (tre) = There are (3) of us
Posso pagare con la carta di credito? = Can I pay by credit card?
So what are you waiting for? Go book that room now!
Italian Phrase of the Day: dov'è il gabinetto?
Dov'è il gabinetto? = Where is the toilet?
Directions is today's subject. You don't want to be getting lost on your holidays, so here I will give you the phrases and names of the places you might need to find.
Dov'è ...? = Where is ...?
la banca = the bank
l'albergo = hotel
police station = il posto di polizia
l'Internet point = internet cafe
l'ufficio postale = post office
la stazione ferroviaria = train station
la stazione d'autobus = bus station
il telefono pubblico = public telephone
la farmacia = pharmacy
l'armadietti per i bagagli = luggage lockers
il parco = park
l'ospedale = hospital
la drogheria = grocery store
l'aeroporto = airport
la fermata d'autobus = bus stop
È ... = It is ...
dietro ... = behind ...
lontano = far away
qui = here
davanti a ... = in front of ...
a sinistra = left
vicino (a) ... = near (to) ...
accanto a ... = next to ...
all'angolo = on the corner
di fronte a ... = opposite ...
a destra = right
sempre diritto = straight ahead
là = there
Remember to log on to Pizza Express's interactive twitter Italian class at 6pm tonight here.
Monday morning pic-me-up & Italian Phrase of the Day: week 2 round-up
La Piazza del Duomo, Trento, Italia
At the end of week 2, it is time to recap what we have learnt the past week.
Week 1 round-up
Last Tuesday we learned our numbers;
On Wednesday we discovered Pizza Express's very own interactive Italian language Twitter class which takes place every Tuesday evening - don't forget it tomorrow!
On Thursday we introduced ourselves to new friends;
On Friday I gave you one of the most useful phrases you'll ever learn;
On Saturday it was time for breakfast;
And yesterday, I taught you another VERY useful phrase.
Buona giornata tutti.
Italian Phrase of the Day: parla inglese?
Parla inglese? = Do you speak English?
This is probably one of the most invaluable phrases you will learn in Italian! Remember it.
C'è qualcuno che parla inglese? = Does anyone speak English?
Capisce? = Do you understand?
Capisco = I understand
Non capisco = I don't understand
Parlo un po' = I speak a little
Capisco un poco = I understand a little
Può ripeterlo per favore? = Could you please repeat that?
Può parlare più lentamente per favore? = Could you speak more slowly please?
You can find the previous posts in this series here.
Italian Phrase of the Day: buongiorno il mondo
Buongiorno il mondo = Good morning world
Breakfast is - as they say - the most important meal of the day. This is no less true in Italy but don't expect "A Full English". The Italian breakfast light but well.
Unsurprisingly, coffee is the most important part of an Italian breakfast. And no one does coffee better than the Italians.
Until I spent a year in Italy I couldn't drink coffee. Now - as anyone who follows me on Twitter will know - I can't last more than a couple of hours without another mug of the stuff.
There are various "rules" when it comes to coffee drinking in Italy although I didn't find them to be too hard and fast.
Milk based coffees, like cappucino and latte macchiato - my favourite - tend to be breakfast drinks and most Italians will not drink them after 11am. They are "too heavy on the stomach" - due to the milk!
An espresso is probably the most popular of the Italian coffees. Drunk at the bar - where it is cheaper - and knocked back like a shot or after a meal. A caffè macchiato is basically an espresso with a dash of foamed milk.
For a more "normal" coffee, ask for a caffé americano which is an espresso served in a larger cup with hot water on the side to top it up. Ask for latte too, if you wish.
If, like me, coffee isn't really your thing, try a latte macchiato. Macchiato literally means stained or marked. So a caffè macchiato is a coffee marked with milk, whilst a latte macchiato is a steamed milk marked with a little espresso.
Of course, a coffee does not make a breakfast, even in Italy. Their most popular breakfast treat is similar to a French croissant but often come with a flavoured filling. These croissant are called brioche. If a plain croissant is more your thing, simply ask for una brioche naturale. But you may like to try - my favourite - una brioche con crema = a croissant with a sort of creamy custard. Or how about una brioche con marmellata = a croissant with marmalade (more of an apricot jam). Or maybe una brioche con cioccolata = a croissant with chocolate.
Does the Italian breakfast tempt you?
You can find the previous posts in this series here.
Italian Phrase of the Day: Uno così
Uno così = one like this/that
If you only learn one phrase, learn this one. It will get you through many a situation. I use this phrase all of the time when I'm in Italy. In a bar for breakfast or in a pasticceria (= cake shop) or a gelateria (= ice cream parlour) and I'm not sure of how to ask for something, I just pull out this phrase and point at what it is I want. Works like a dream, every time.
It doesn't need to be just for food either. In a shop or a market stall and want something that you're not sure of the word for, just ask for uno così.
Buona giornata amici. (= Have a good day friends!)
You can find the previous posts in this series here.
Italian Phrase of the Day: Ciao, mi chiamo Shopgirl
Now. You know how to shop and how to order something to eat and how to order something to drink. But what about if you're having that something to drink and a handsome Italian man - or beautiful Italain woman - catches your eye across the bar, what would you say? Today's lesson is all about introducing yourself:
Ciao = Hi/bye
Come ti chiami? = What is your name?
Mi chiamo … = My name is …
Quanti anni hai? = How old are you?
Piace = Pleasure (to meet you)
Ho … anni = I'm … years old (for the numbers, remember this lesson)
Da dove sei? = Where are you from?
Sono da … = I'm from …
Inglaterra = England
Scozia = Scotland
Galles = Wales
Irlanda = Ireland
Come stai? = How are you? (informal)
Come sta? = How are you? (formal)
Sto bene = I'm well
Sono stanco = I'm tired
Ho fame = I'm hungry
Che cosa fai qua? = What are you doing here?
Sono in vacanza = I am on holiday
You can find the previous posts in this series here.
Italian Phrase of the Day: know when someone else does it better
For all of you enjoying "learning Italian", I have found a wonderful resource from my favourite restaurant. Pizza Express have set up a twitter account to provide interactive Italian classes every Tuesday evening at 6pm for an hour. Fantastico! If you'd live to join the class, you can follow Pizza Express's Bite Size Italian here.
I'll try to remember to remind you next week, so that you can get involved in the class.
You can find the previous posts in this series here.
Italian Phrase of the Day: Uno, Due, Tre
It seems that now would be as good a time as any to learn the numbers, so that you can understand how much that gorgeous Gucci handbag is, or that early evening glass of prosecco.
1 uno
2 due
3 tre
4 quattro
5 cinque
6 sei
7 sette
8 otto
9 nove
10 dieci
11 undici
12 dodici
13 tredici
14 quattordici
15 quindici
16 sedici
17 diciassette
18 diciotto
19 diciannove
20 venti
21 ventuno
22 ventidue
23 ventitré
24 ventiquattro
25 venticinque
26 ventisei
27 ventisette
28 ventotto
29 ventinove
30 trenta
31 trentuno
32 trentadue
33 trentatré
40 quaranta
50 cinquanta
60 sessanta
70 settanta
80 ottanta
90 novanta
100 cento
If you would like to sign up to receive your Italian Phrase of the Day direct to your inbox, send me an email or leave a comment here with your email address and you will receive an email daily, as well as a weekly round-up.
You can find the previous posts in this series here.
Italian Phrase of the Day: week 1 round-up
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Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, Firenze, 2009
We've now had a week of Learning the Language of Love and I think it's time for a re-cap.
First, the basics;
Second, your guide to shopping: Part 1 and Part 2;
Then, how to order a drink and some food;
And finally, ice cream: Part 1 and Part 2.
Tomorrow is a another day and another Italian Phrase of the Day.
Italian Phrase of the Day: prendo il gelato in cono
Prendo il gelato in cono = I'll have the ice cream in a cone
Today we learn some of the many flavours of gelato that are often available in Italia:
Cioccolato = chocolate
Cioccolato fondente = dark chocolate
Cioccolato al latte = milk chocolate
Pistacchio = pistachio
Nocciola = hazelnut
Cocco = coconut
Caffè = coffee
Fragola = strawberry
Lampone = raspberry
Limone = lemon
Mandarino = mandarin orange
Melone = melon
Albicocca = apricot
Fico = fig
Tarocco = blood orange
Frutti di bosco = fruits of the forest
Mela = apple
Pera = pear
Pesca = peach
Malaga = rum raisin
Stracciatella = chocolate chip
Liquirizia = licorice
Cannella = cinnamon
If you would like to sign up to receive your Italian Phrase of the Day direct to your inbox, send me an email or leave a comment here with your email address and you will receive an email daily, as well as a weekly round-up.
You can find the previous posts in this series here.
Italian Phrase of the Day: prendo una coppetta con lampone e pesca
Prendo una coppetta con lampone e pesca = I'll have a (small) tub with raspberry and peach
After all of that eating and drinking, the perfect way to finish off an evening in Italy is to take una passeggiata (= traditional Italian evening stroll) about town, accompanied by una coppetta di gelato (= small tub of ice cream) and, of course, un uomo bello Italiano (= a handsome Italian man).
Come back tomorrow to learn about the different flavours of gelato.
If you would like to sign up to receive your Italian Phrase of the Day direct to your inbox, send me an email or leave a comment here with your email address and you will receive an email daily, as well as a weekly round-up.
You can find the previous posts in this series here.
Italian Phrase of the Day: prendo gli spaghetti alla bolognese
Prendo gli spaghetti alla bolognese = I'll have the spaghetti bolognese
After yesterday's drinking session, we now need some food. With the prevalence of Italian restaurants in the UK, an Italian menu is no longer as daunting as it might once have been. However some dishes might not look all that familiar and you still need to be able to order them!
An Italian menu will normally be divided into five or six sections: antipasti (starters), pasta (pasta!), pizza (sometimes, pizza), secondi (mains), contorno (sides) and dolci (desserts). Often pasta is seen as what we would call a starter, with antipasti as a sort of "taster", the pasta is then followed by a fish or meat course with a side. But do not feel compelled to follow this, I normally go for a pizza or spaghetti alla bolognese. Boring but delicious.
Prendo... = I'll have... (literally, I'll take...)
Vorrei... = I'd like...
Pollo = chicken
Vitello = veal
Salmone = salmon
Gamberetti = prawns
Gamberoni = king prawns
Branzino/spigola = sea bass
Maiale = pork
Bistecca = beef steak
Filletto = fillet
Il conto = the bill
Today, I have even found you a traditional Italian menu with explanations of the dishes for you to peruse before you go.
If you would like to sign up to receive your Italian Phrase of the Day direct to your inbox, send me an email or leave a comment here with your email address and you will receive an email daily, as well as a weekly round-up.
You can find the previous posts in this series here.
Italian Phrase of the Day: Vorrei un bicchiere di vino bianco
Vorrei un bicchiere di vino bianco = I would like a glass of white wine
Now. Please!
Today, drinking is the order of the day. After all of that shopping it is time to stop for a glass of wine.
Cosa vuoi? = What would you like?
Vorrei... = I would like...
un'acqua = a water
una birra = a beer
un bicchiere di = a glass of
una bottiglia di = a bottle of
vino rosso = red wine
vino bianco = white wine
If you would like to sign up to receive your Italian Phrase of the Day direct to your inbox, send me an email or leave a comment here with your email address and you will receive an email daily, as well as a weekly round-up.
You can find the previous posts in this series here.
Italian Phrase of the Day: mi piace il vestito
Mi piace il vestito = I like the dress
Now that you know how to ask to try something on and ask how much it is, you need to know what it is:
I vestiti = clothes
La camicia = shirt
I pantaloni = trousers
I calzini = socks
Le scarpe = shoes
La giacca = jacket
Il capello = hat
Gli stivali = boots
La cintura = belt
Il cappotto = coat
I guanti = gloves
La sciarpa = scarf
Il berretto = cap
La cravatta = tie
I jeans = jeans
Il vestito = dress
La gonna = skirt
La maglia = top
La maglietta = t-shirt
L'ombrello = umbrella
If you would like to sign up to receive your Italian Phrase of the Day direct to your inbox, send me an email or leave a comment here with your email address and you will receive an email daily, as well as a weekly round-up.
You can find the previous posts in this series here.
Italian phrase of the Day: posso provare?
Posso provare…? = can I try (it) on …? (here you may add what you would like to try on, or leave it as it is)
Today's lesson is all about shopping. Yes, here at Sugar & Spice we love to shop, so it is important that we can partake in this activity wherever we find ourselves:
Desidera? = have you decided?
Altro? = Anything else?
Mi piace… = I like (it)… (as before, you may add what it is you like, or leave it as it is)
Quanto costa…? = how much (is it)…? (again, as before)
È troppo… = it is too…
Grande = big
Piccolo/a = small
Come back tomorrow to learn how to say the different items of clothing that you might be trying on.
If you would like to sign up to receive your Italian Phrase of the Day direct to your inbox, send me an email or leave a comment here with your email address and you will receive an email daily, as well as a weekly round-up.
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