42 phrases · Levels: A1A2B1
Pronto? Chi parla?
Hello? Who's speaking?
Use 'Pronto?' every time you answer the phone in Italian. It is the universal Italian telephone greeting — never say 'Ciao' or 'Buongiorno' as your very first word when answering.
Vorrei parlare con il dottor Martini.
I'd like to speak with Dr Martini.
Use this when calling a doctor's office, company, or institution and needing to be connected to a specific person. Always state the title and surname.
Può richiamarmi più tardi?
Can you call me back later?
Use this when you're busy or unable to talk and want the caller to try again later. Or use it when you want to call someone back yourself.
La linea è disturbata. Non la sento bene.
The line is bad. I can't hear you well.
Use this when the phone connection is poor, there's interference, or you're struggling to hear the other person clearly.
Posso lasciare un messaggio?
Can I leave a message?
Use this when the person you called is unavailable and you want to leave information with whoever answered. Also use it for voicemail situations.
Ha sbagliato numero.
You've got the wrong number.
Say this when someone calls you by mistake — they've dialled the wrong number. It's polite to let them know rather than simply hanging up.
Si sente? Ci sei?
Can you hear me? Are you there?
Use 'Ci sei?' when a call goes suddenly silent and you're not sure if the other person is still connected. 'Si sente?' in formal context, 'ti sento' informally.
Chiamo per avere informazioni.
I'm calling for information.
Use this as an opening statement when calling a company, office, or service to inquire about something. It frames your call without going into detail immediately.
Devo spegnere il telefono.
I need to turn off my phone.
Say this when you're about to enter a meeting, cinema, theatre, or hospital and need to let the person on the phone know you'll be unavailable.
Ho visto la tua chiamata persa.
I saw your missed call.
Use this when calling someone back after seeing their missed call on your phone. It explains why you're calling without needing a further introduction.
Mi può dare il suo numero di telefono?
Can you give me your phone number?
Use this when you need to take down someone's contact number, either in person or over the phone when they mention someone else you should contact.
Sono il centralino. Come posso aiutarla?
This is the switchboard. How can I help you?
You'll hear this phrase when calling a large company or institution. It signals you've reached the main reception ('centralino') and need to specify who or which department you want.
Mi ha messo in attesa.
They put me on hold.
Use this when telling someone you're currently on hold with a company or service. You can also use it to complain about being left on hold for too long.
Devo chiamare il 112.
I need to call 112.
Say this when there is an emergency requiring police, ambulance, or fire brigade. 112 is Italy's unified emergency number, equivalent to 999 (UK) or 911 (US).
Il mio telefono si sta scaricando.
My phone is running out of battery.
Say this mid-call when your battery is critically low and you may be cut off. It prepares the other person for a possible interruption.
Come si fa una chiamata internazionale?
How do you make an international call?
Ask this when you need to call abroad and are unsure of the correct dialling procedure, especially from a hotel room or landline.
Lascio un messaggio in segreteria.
I'll leave a voicemail.
Use this when you're about to leave a voicemail message. In Italy, voicemail ('segreteria telefonica') is still used, though WhatsApp voice messages are increasingly preferred.
Sono io, Marco.
It's me, Marco.
Use this to identify yourself immediately when a close friend or family member answers. Since they know your number, it reinforces familiarity and speeds up the conversation.
Ci sentiamo domani.
We'll speak tomorrow.
Use this at the end of a phone call to schedule your next contact. It's a warm, natural way to close an Italian conversation.
Hai il numero di casa loro?
Do you have their home phone number?
Ask this when you need someone's landline number. While landlines are less used, many Italian families and businesses still maintain one.
Mi chiamo Carla Esposito. Chiamo per conto dell'azienda Rossi.
My name is Carla Esposito. I'm calling on behalf of Rossi company.
Use this formal introduction when making a business call as a representative of a company. Always state your full name and organisation clearly.
Chiamo per confermare il mio appuntamento.
I'm calling to confirm my appointment.
Call the day before a medical, professional, or beauty appointment to confirm you'll be attending. Many Italian offices expect this and may call you first.
Non ho segnale qui.
I have no signal here.
Use this to explain to someone why you couldn't take their call or why your connection is failing. Also useful when you need to physically move to get reception.
Richiamami appena puoi. È urgente.
Call me back as soon as you can. It's urgent.
Leave this as a voicemail or say it to someone who can't talk. The word 'urgente' immediately signals that the matter requires prompt attention.
Può parlare più lentamente?
Can you speak more slowly?
Essential for language learners when speaking Italian on the phone. Ask this when a native speaker is speaking too fast for you to understand.
Come si compone il numero?
How do I dial the number?
Ask this when using an unfamiliar phone system, switchboard, or international dialling. Also useful in hotels when calling external numbers.
Non ho capito. Può ripetere?
I didn't understand. Can you repeat?
Use this at any point in a phone call when you've missed something or didn't understand. Never pretend to have understood when you haven't.
Arrivederla. Buona giornata.
Goodbye. Have a good day.
Use this formal phone farewell when ending a professional call. 'Arrivederla' (formal) is more appropriate than 'arrivederci' for business calls with strangers.
Facciamo una videochiamata?
Shall we do a video call?
Suggest this when you want to see the person you're speaking with, rather than just a voice call. Video calls have become very common in Italian social and professional life since 2020.
Ti chiamo su WhatsApp.
I'll call you on WhatsApp.
Use this when you want to make a free internet call via WhatsApp rather than a regular phone call. In Italy, WhatsApp is the dominant communication platform.
È un buon momento per chiamare?
Is this a good time to call?
Ask this at the beginning of a call when you're unsure if the other person is available to talk. It's a polite and considerate opener.
Il mio telefono è rotto.
My phone is broken.
Use this to explain to people why you've been unreachable. Also useful in a phone repair shop ('centro assistenza') when describing the problem.
Sto aspettando una chiamata di lavoro.
I'm waiting for a work call.
Say this to explain why you can't talk at the moment, or why you need to keep your phone on during a meal or event. It signals professional responsibility.
Quanto mi costerà questa chiamata?
How much will this call cost me?
Ask this when you're unsure of the rate for a call — for example, calling from a hotel room, using a foreign SIM, or calling a premium-rate number.
Disturbo?
Am I disturbing you?
Say this immediately after the other person picks up, before launching into the reason for your call. It's a very Italian form of telephone courtesy that is deeply appreciated.
Volevo aggiornarti sulla situazione.
I wanted to update you on the situation.
Use this at the start of a call when you have new information to share about an ongoing matter. It frames your call clearly and prepares the listener.
Grazie per la chiamata. A presto.
Thank you for the call. Speak soon.
Use this to close a professional or semi-formal phone call warmly. 'A presto' implies you expect to be in contact again soon.
Mi hanno rubato il telefono.
My phone was stolen.
Use this to explain why you're unreachable, to report to police, or to call your phone provider to block your SIM card.
C'è un numero verde per l'assistenza?
Is there a freephone number for assistance?
Ask this when contacting a company's customer service to find out if there's a free alternative to the standard (possibly premium-rate) number.
Parteciperò alla videoconferenza alle dieci.
I'll participate in the video conference at ten.
Use this when confirming participation in a scheduled video or phone conference call. Common in Italian professional communication.
La chiamata viene deviata alla segreteria.
The call is being diverted to voicemail.
You'll hear this automated message when a call is forwarded to voicemail. Understanding it helps you know you should leave a message rather than waiting.
Voglio cambiare operatore telefonico.
I want to change phone provider.
Say this to a phone company customer service agent or in a phone shop when you want to switch providers. Italian regulations make number portability ('portabilità del numero') straightforward.