Travelling in Italy is tricky without learning the language. The most unique neighbourhood of Rome, Trastevere, speaks broken English mostly. Not knowing the language limits our experiences, bars us from touching the lives of the locals. Despite their warmth, you would feel a lack for Italy is a place filled with beautiful people.

They could talk to you for hours without a slightest inkling of who you are, what you are. But even to strike up a conversation requires the basic knowledge of the language. Don’t worry. We’ve got you covered. Here are some of the common Italian words and phrases you need to know when travelling in Rome:

Greetings… What do you start your conversation with? An easy good morning or good afternoon, right?

Good morning:  Buon giorno (bwon gee-orno)

Good evening: Bouna sera (bwon-uh say-ruh)

Good night: Bouna notte (bwon-uh no-te)

Thank You: Grazie (grah-tseeay)

You’re Welcome: Prego (pray-go)

Hello/Goodbye: Ciao (chow)

Common words and phrases. You can’t just stop at wishing people. To get to know them, you are required to enter into a conversation. Speak broken Italian but learn the phrases. The locals would take care of the rest.

Yes:  sì

No: no

Airport: Aeroporto

Train station: Stazione

Museum: Museo

Help: Aiuto

Restaurant: Ristorante

Police: Polizia

Doctor: Medico

Water: Acqua

Wine: Vino

Questions of importance. From catching a bus to finding the ticket counter, every time you would doubt whether you reached the correct words across. In times of doubt, go with ‘parla inglese?’ (Do you speak English?). For not losing yourself in translation, ask ‘come si dice…..in Italian?’ (How do you say…….in Italian?)

Learn these two phrases by heart if not anything else! You would need a lot of help deciphering the winding lanes of Rome and knowing the stories engraved in history.

Numbers. Here your hand would help the most. But only till ten. Let’s give you our favourite numbers and their translations. For others, add them to get the desired amount. For example, you want 33 chocolates…dieci, venti and 3 fingers. Or just google translate 33. 😀

10: dieci

20: venti

50: cinquanta

100: cento

Bookmark this page for you will keep confusing the phrases. And that’s fine! No one judges you for anything in the Eternal City. Speak broken Italian and the locals would catch up with you, help you out with whatever you need. On your way back, you will have learned more Italian phrases than you expected. Trastevere awaits you, signore & sig.ra!