Italian 101 · Lesson 3
Polite Basics
Ask politely, apologise and keep an exchange going when you miss a word.
Begin ↓01 / 08
A small request
Per favore.
pehr fah-VOH-reh
Please.
Grazie mille.
GRAHT-tsyeh MEEL-leh
Thanks a lot.
Add per favore to a request. Grazie thanks someone; grazie mille adds warmth.
02 / 08
When someone thanks you
Grazie. — Prego.
PREH-goh
Thank you. — You’re welcome.
Prego can mean you’re welcome. At a counter or doorway it can also invite you to go ahead.
03 / 08
Getting attention
Scusa.
SKOO-zah
Excuse me / sorry. (informal)
Scusi.
SKOO-zee
Excuse me / sorry. (polite)
Scusa is informal, for one person you know. Scusi is polite, for a stranger or an adult in a service exchange.
04 / 08
When something goes wrong
Mi dispiace.
mee dees-PYAH-cheh
I’m sorry.
Mi dispiace expresses regret. Use it for an apology or to show sympathy, rather than to call a waiter over.
05 / 08
Say what you need
Non capisco.
non kah-PEES-koh
I don’t understand.
You do not have to pretend you understood. Non goes directly before capisco.
06 / 08
Ask for another try
Può ripetere?
pwo ree-PEH-teh-reh
Could you repeat that?
Più lentamente, per favore.
pyoo len-tah-MEN-teh
More slowly, please.
Può is the polite form here. Finish the request gently; slowly does not mean loudly.
07 / 08
At the station
Scusi, non capisco. Può ripetere?
Excuse me, I don’t understand. Could you repeat that?
Certo.
Of course.
Start with scusi, explain the problem, then ask for repetition. Keep this sequence ready as one useful chunk.
Remember this
Takeaway
Grazie mille. — Prego!
Thanks a lot. — You’re welcome!
Match scusa to a friend and scusi to a polite exchange. A clear request for repetition is more useful than guessing.