Vocabulary
Italian vocabulary by theme, situation and culture. Learn words that actually come up in real life.
22 articles
Italian Slang 2025: 30 Modern Expressions Young Italians Actually Use
Textbook Italian and street Italian are two different languages. This guide covers 30 slang expressions that young Italians use in 2025 — with honest context on where they come from and how to use them.
Italian Shopping Vocabulary: How to Shop in Italy Like a Local
Italy is one of the world's great shopping destinations. Whether you are browsing a market, choosing leather goods in Florence, or picking up groceries, this vocabulary guide has you covered.
Commedia dell'Arte: The Italian Theater Tradition That Gave Us Everyday Words
Harlequin, Pulcinella, Pantalone — these characters were born on Italian streets 500 years ago and are still alive in European languages today. The commedia dell'arte gave the world a theatrical form and a vocabulary that never stopped travelling.
How to Write a Formal Email in Italian: Templates and Phrases
Writing a formal email in Italian follows conventions that are quite different from English. This guide gives you the structure, key phrases, and ready-to-use templates for professional Italian correspondence.
How to Say 'Good Luck' in Italian: In Bocca al Lupo Explained
Italians don't say 'good luck' — they say 'in the mouth of the wolf'. Find out why, how to respond correctly, and a dozen other ways to wish someone well in Italian.
How to Apologize in Italian: Mi Dispiace, Scusa, Chiedo Scusa — What's the Difference?
Italian has several ways to apologize, and they are not interchangeable. Learn when to use scusa, mi dispiace, chiedo scusa, and more — with real examples for every situation.
How to Order Coffee in Italy — and Why Coffee Is a Religion Here
Never ask for a 'latte' in Italy unless you want a glass of milk. Inside: the insider guide to Italian coffee culture, the rules, the rituals, and the vocabulary.
How to Say 'I Miss You' in Italian: Mi Manchi and 10 Related Expressions
Saying 'I miss you' in Italian is a beautiful experience — and a grammatically surprising one. Learn mi manchi and 10 related expressions to talk about missing people, places, and things.
Italian Art Vocabulary: 30 Terms from the Renaissance Every Learner Should Know
Italy is the birthplace of the Renaissance, and many of the art world's most important words come from Italian. Learn 30 essential art terms — many of which you already use in English without realising it.
Italian Words for the Beach — Sound Like a Local
Summer in Italy is sacred. Learn the vocabulary of the Italian beach experience — from ombrellone to aperitivo.
Italian Body Parts Vocabulary: 40 Essential Words With Example Sentences
Knowing body parts in Italian is essential for doctor visits, describing people, expressing pain, and everyday conversation. Here are 40 essential words with example sentences and pronunciation notes.
Italian Emotions Vocabulary: 40 Words to Describe Feelings Like a Native
Beyond felice and triste — Italian has a rich emotional vocabulary that lets you express exactly how you feel. Master 40 emotion words with real examples and start sounding genuinely fluent.
Italian Expressions of Frustration (That Are Actually Funny)
Mamma mia! Italians have turned frustration into an art form. These expressions will make you laugh — and help you blend in.
Italian False Friends: 40 Words That Look English But Mean Something Different
Italian and English share thousands of similar-looking words — but some of them are traps. 'Morbido' doesn't mean morbid. 'Pavimento' is not pavement. Here are 40 Italian false friends that will catch you out if you're not careful.
Italian Words You Already Know (From Pizza Menus)
Surprise: you already speak some Italian. Every time you order pizza, pasta or espresso, you're using real Italian words. Let's make it official.
Football in Italian — The Language of Calcio
Italy gave the world great football and great words for it. Learn the vocabulary of calcio and sound like an ultras.
Italian Gestures — What Your Hands Are Actually Saying
Italians speak with their hands as much as their mouths. Here are the 10 gestures every learner needs to know.
Italian Health and Medical Vocabulary: Essential Words for Emergencies
Knowing Italian health vocabulary can be genuinely important in a medical situation abroad. This guide covers body parts, symptoms, at the doctor's, and at the pharmacy — the words that matter most.
The Italian Kitchen — Cook and Learn at the Same Time
Learn 30 essential Italian kitchen words while you cook. Your pasta will taste better. Guaranteed.
Italian Numbers: Hundreds, Thousands, Millions and How to Use Them
Going beyond 100 in Italian requires knowing a few key patterns and exceptions. This guide covers hundreds, thousands, millions, ordinals, and how to use numbers in real sentences.
Italian Proverbs About Food: What They Mean and How to Use Them
Italians have proverbs for everything — but their food proverbs are in a class of their own. Wise, funny, and surprisingly practical, these sayings reveal how deeply food is woven into the Italian worldview. Learn them and you will sound like a true Italian.
Italian Restaurant Vocabulary: How to Order Like a Local
Eating in Italy is a cultural experience as much as a culinary one. Learn the vocabulary, etiquette, and phrases that let you navigate any Italian restaurant with ease and enjoyment.