50 phrases · Levels: A1A2B1B2
Parla lentamente? Non capisco bene l'italiano.
Can you speak slowly? I don't understand Italian very well.
Say this at the start of asking for directions, or after someone has given you directions too quickly to follow, to request a slower repetition.
Questa zona è pedonale? Non posso entrare in macchina?
Is this area pedestrian only? Can't I drive in?
Ask this when you are driving and encounter a pedestrian zone sign, wanting to confirm whether the car can enter.
Esiste un percorso turistico consigliato in questa città?
Is there a recommended tourist route in this city?
Ask at the tourist information office or to a local guide when you want a structured walking route through the city's main sights.
C'è un supermercato qui vicino?
Is there a supermarket near here?
Ask this practical question to any local when you need to buy food, water, or supplies in an unfamiliar Italian neighbourhood.
Come si raggiunge la spiaggia da qui?
How do you get to the beach from here?
Ask a local at a coastal resort when you want directions to the beach, either the public beach or a specific lido.
Vicino a cosa si trova?
What is it near?
Ask this when someone tells you a place is in a certain area but you need a more specific landmark to find it.
Mi scusi, come arrivo al Duomo?
Excuse me, how do I get to the Cathedral?
The classic Italian direction request — use this template for any landmark.
Vada dritto fino al semaforo, poi giri a destra.
Go straight to the traffic light, then turn right.
Understanding this phrase when someone gives you directions in Italian.
È lontano a piedi?
Is it far on foot?
After getting directions, to gauge whether walking is practical or another mode of transport is needed.
Prenda la prima strada a sinistra.
Take the first street on the left.
When following step-by-step directions in Italian.
Mi sono perso. Può aiutarmi?
I'm lost. Can you help me?
The essential phrase when you are completely disoriented and need help.
Dove si trova via Garibaldi?
Where is via Garibaldi?
When looking for a specific street by name.
È di fronte alla banca, accanto alla farmacia.
It's opposite the bank, next to the pharmacy.
Understanding positional descriptions when someone gives you directions using landmarks.
All'incrocio, svolta a destra.
At the junction, turn right.
Understanding or giving directions at intersections.
Posso vedere la sua mappa per un momento?
Can I see your map for a moment?
When you have a paper map and want to show it to a local for help.
C'è un autobus che va al museo?
Is there a bus that goes to the museum?
When the destination is too far to walk and you need public transport directions.
Sono sulla strada giusta per il Vaticano?
Am I on the right road for the Vatican?
When walking and wanting to confirm you are heading in the right direction.
Quanto tempo ci vuole a piedi?
How long does it take on foot?
After getting directions, to estimate the walking time.
Devo girare a destra o a sinistra?
Do I have to turn right or left?
When you are at a junction and unsure which direction to take.
C'è un percorso più breve?
Is there a shorter route?
When you know one route but suspect there might be a faster way.
Dove sono adesso? Posso vedere la posizione sulla mappa?
Where am I now? Can I see the position on the map?
When completely disoriented and needing to establish your current position on a map.
Può indicarmi il percorso?
Can you show me the route?
When asking someone to physically show or trace the route on a map rather than just describe it verbally.
Il percorso è in salita o pianeggiante?
Is the route uphill or flat?
When planning a walking route in an Italian hill town and needing to know about the terrain.
C'è un supermercato vicino?
Is there a supermarket nearby?
When you need to find everyday services in an unfamiliar area.
Siamo lontani dal centro?
Are we far from the centre?
When exploring and wanting to gauge your distance from the main centre of town.
Non ho capito le indicazioni. Può ripeterle più lentamente?
I didn't understand the directions. Can you repeat them more slowly?
When someone has given you directions too quickly or in complex Italian.
Grazie mille per le indicazioni!
Thank you very much for the directions!
After receiving directions, to thank the person before heading off.
Sto cercando il numero 47 di questa via.
I am looking for number 47 on this street.
When you are on the right street but cannot find the specific building number.
Il negozio è all'angolo con via Nazionale?
Is the shop on the corner of via Nazionale?
When confirming a location described as being on a specific street corner.
Dov'è la piazza principale del paese?
Where is the main square of the village?
When arriving in a new Italian village or town and orienting yourself by the central square.
Dove si può parcheggiare qui vicino?
Where can you park near here?
When driving in an Italian city or village and looking for a parking spot.
C'è una scala mobile o un ascensore?
Is there an escalator or a lift?
When navigating a multi-level area (shopping centre, station, hill town) and looking for accessibility options.
È in cima alla via o in fondo?
Is it at the top of the street or at the bottom?
When on a street and needing to know which end your destination is at.
Qual è il parcheggio più vicino?
What is the nearest car park?
When driving in a city and looking for the closest paid car park.
Sono a piedi — mi dà indicazioni per il percorso pedonale?
I'm on foot — can you give me directions for the pedestrian route?
When asking for walking-specific directions rather than driving routes.
Scusi, lei abita qui? Conosce bene il quartiere?
Excuse me, do you live here? Do you know the neighbourhood well?
Before asking for complex directions, to gauge whether the person is a local with useful knowledge.
Dov'è l'ufficio del turismo?
Where is the tourist information office?
When arriving in a new Italian city and wanting to get maps, information, and recommendations.
Prenda l'autobus numero 15 e scenda alla terza fermata.
Take bus number 15 and get off at the third stop.
Understanding bus-based directions given by a local.
Come si va al centro in autobus o a piedi?
How does one get to the centre by bus or on foot?
When you want to compare walking vs public transport options to get to the centre.
Come raggiungo la stazione da qui?
How do I get to the station from here?
Ask a local when you need to find the train station and are not sure of the direction, especially in an unfamiliar Italian city.
Scusi, il Palazzo Vecchio è da questa parte?
Excuse me, is Palazzo Vecchio on this side?
Ask any local or fellow pedestrian when you are navigating towards a famous monument and want to confirm you are going in the right direction.
Per la metropolitana, da che parte si va?
For the metro, which way do you go?
Ask when you are above ground and need directions to the nearest metro entrance in a city like Rome or Milan.
C'è un percorso panoramico per arrivare al castello?
Is there a scenic route to get to the castle?
Ask a local when you are not in a hurry and want to take the most beautiful or interesting route to a destination rather than the fastest.
Scusi, dov'è la farmacia più vicina?
Excuse me, where is the nearest pharmacy?
Ask this in any Italian town when you urgently need a pharmacy for medicine, medical advice, or to buy sunscreen or other products.
Questo vicolo è un vicolo cieco?
Is this alley a dead end?
Ask this before committing to a narrow alley in a historic city centre, to avoid having to backtrack.
La cattedrale è nel centro storico?
Is the cathedral in the historic centre?
Ask this when orienting yourself in a new Italian city and wanting to understand where the main cathedral is relative to the historic centre.
Sono stanco di camminare. C'è un altro modo per arrivare?
I am tired of walking. Is there another way to get there?
Use this when you have been walking for a long time in a hot Italian city and want to know about bus, tram, or other alternatives to continue on foot.
Questo è il quartiere giusto per Via Margutta?
Is this the right neighbourhood for Via Margutta?
Ask when you are in a city neighbourhood and want to confirm you are in the right area before starting to look for a specific street.
Come si arriva al porto da qui?
How do you get to the port from here?
Ask this in coastal Italian towns when you need to reach the harbour — to catch a ferry, see the boats, or visit the waterfront.
Ho l'indirizzo ma non trovo il posto. Può aiutarmi?
I have the address but can't find the place. Can you help me?
When you have a written address but are unable to locate the actual building.