35 phrases · Levels: A1A2B1
Che ne dici di uscire questo weekend?
What do you say about going out this weekend?
Use this as a warm, open invitation to make social plans. 'Che ne dici di + infinitive?' is one of the most useful Italian phrases for suggesting activities — it is soft and gives the other person full latitude to accept, modify, or suggest alternatives.
Sei libero/a sabato sera?
Are you free Saturday evening?
Use this as the most direct way to check availability before proposing a plan. It respects the other person's schedule and avoids creating obligation. Establishing availability first is standard Italian social etiquette before making a specific invitation.
Facciamo una passeggiata domani pomeriggio?
Shall we go for a walk tomorrow afternoon?
Use this for a low-key, spontaneous plan. A walk is the simplest Italian social activity — it requires no reservation, no money, and no planning. It is also deeply Italian: the 'passeggiata' is a cultural institution, not just an activity.
Andiamo al cinema questa settimana?
Shall we go to the cinema this week?
Use this for a classic Italian date or friend outing. The cinema is one of the most common Italian social activities. Follow up by asking about film preferences or suggesting a specific title you want to see together.
A che ora ci troviamo?
What time shall we meet?
Use this once the plan is agreed — restaurant, event, or activity — to establish the specific meeting time. It is a practical follow-up to any invitation acceptance. In Italy, the agreed time is often approximate, but establishing it is still expected.
Prenotiamo il tavolo per sabato sera?
Shall we book the table for Saturday evening?
Use this to take responsibility for the practical step of making a restaurant reservation. In Italy, good restaurants require booking in advance, especially on weekends. Offering to book signals organisation and consideration.
Ti va un aperitivo dopo il lavoro?
Do you feel like an aperitivo after work?
Use this for a classic, flexible Italian social plan. The aperitivo after work is one of Italy's most beloved rituals — it sits between the working day and the evening, requires no advance planning, and can be as brief or as extended as desired.
Organizziamo un weekend fuori città?
Shall we organise a weekend away from the city?
Use this for a larger social plan involving travel. It immediately creates excitement and requires collaborative planning. It is best used with close friends or partners who have flexibility. Suggesting specific destinations will make the proposal more concrete.
Vuoi venire alla mostra con me domenica?
Do you want to come to the exhibition with me on Sunday?
Use this for a cultural invitation to an art exhibition, museum show, or cultural event. It signals cultural interest and shares a specific interest with someone. Adding 'con me' (with me) makes it a personal invitation rather than a general suggestion.
Dove ci vediamo?
Where shall we meet?
Use this once a plan is confirmed to establish the meeting point. It is a practical follow-up question. In Italian cities, meeting points are often public landmarks or bars — the piazza, the station, or 'davanti a' (in front of) a specific building.
Purtroppo non posso. Rinviamo alla settimana prossima?
Unfortunately I cannot. Shall we postpone to next week?
Use this when you cannot keep a plan and want to reschedule without cancelling the friendship. Starting with 'purtroppo' (unfortunately) signals genuine regret. Immediately offering an alternative time shows you want to maintain the plan.
Ti vengo a prendere io, se vuoi.
I will come and pick you up, if you like.
Use this to offer a lift to someone for a shared plan. It is a generous, thoughtful offer that simplifies logistics and shows care. In Italy, offering a lift ('un passaggio') is a common social gesture among friends.
Cucino io. Venite da me sabato.
I will cook. Come to mine on Saturday.
Use this to invite a group of friends for a home-cooked dinner. Cooking for friends is one of the most appreciated Italian social gestures. The direct 'cucino io' (I will cook) and 'venite' (come) shows confidence and generosity.
Facciamo una gita fuori porta domenica?
Shall we do a day trip out of the city on Sunday?
Use this for a Sunday day trip plan. 'Fuori porta' (outside the gate) is a beautiful Italian expression for a day trip out of the city — it evokes the old city gates and the road beyond. It is a very Italian way to escape urban life for the day.
Andiamo a teatro questo mese?
Shall we go to the theatre this month?
Use this for a more formal cultural outing. The theatre requires advance planning (booking, dressing appropriately) and signals intellectual and artistic interests. Italy's theatre tradition makes this a meaningful cultural invitation.
Facciamo una grigliata nel weekend?
Shall we have a barbecue at the weekend?
Use this for a summer outdoor social plan. The 'grigliata' (Italian barbecue/grill) is a beloved summer tradition, particularly on Ferragosto (August 15th) and on summer weekends. It combines food, outdoor life, and extended social time.
Vai mai in palestra? Potremmo andarci insieme.
Do you ever go to the gym? We could go together.
Use this to combine a social plan with a fitness activity. Gym buddies are an important feature of Italian social life. Asking if they go to the gym first, then proposing going together, is tactful and considerate.
Hai mai pensato di andare in vacanza insieme?
Have you ever thought of going on holiday together?
Use this to float the idea of a shared holiday — one of the most significant friendship investments. Suggest it only with people you genuinely get on well with, as holiday compatibility requires considerable trust. The 'mai' (ever) softens it to a musing rather than a firm proposal.
Pranziamo insieme domani?
Shall we have lunch together tomorrow?
Use this for a lunch plan — particularly in work or study contexts where lunch is a natural break. Lunch together is a daily Italian social ritual. In Italy, lunch ('pranzo') is still an important meal, not a rushed sandwich at a desk.
Hai in programma qualcosa di interessante nelle prossime settimane?
Do you have anything interesting planned in the coming weeks?
Use this to open a conversation about future plans with someone you want to include in your social life. It shows interest in their plans and creates an opportunity for them to invite you along or for you to propose something.
Passo a trovarti uno di questi giorni.
I will come by to see you one of these days.
Use this to express the intention to visit someone without committing to a specific date. It is warmer than 'ci vediamo' (see you) because it specifies the direction of the visit — you going to them — which is a generous gesture.
Facciamo qualcosa di diverso per una volta!
Let us do something different for once!
Use this when you want to break routine and try something new with friends. 'Per una volta' (for once) implies you usually do the same things — this is an energetic invitation to novelty. It usually prompts creative suggestions from everyone.
Sei disponibile domani mattina?
Are you available tomorrow morning?
Use this in slightly more formal or professional contexts where 'libero/a' (free) might feel too casual. 'Disponibile' (available) is used in work, appointments, and semi-formal plans. It is polite and precise.
Prenotiamo una cena speciale per festeggiare?
Shall we book a special dinner to celebrate?
Use this to mark an occasion with an elevated dining experience. Suggesting a 'special dinner' implies something above the ordinary — a restaurant rather than home cooking, and a celebratory purpose. It shows care in wanting to mark the moment.
Troviamoci alla stazione alle undici.
Let us meet at the station at eleven.
Use this to fix a specific meeting point and time for a plan involving travel. Railway stations are Italy's most common meeting points for inter-city plans. The imperative 'troviamoci' (let us meet) is direct and practical.
Ti va di andare a un concerto questo mese?
Do you feel like going to a concert this month?
Use this to invite someone to a live music event. It works for any genre — classical, pop, jazz, rock. Italy has a rich concert calendar, from arena pop concerts to intimate jazz clubs. Specifying an artist or genre makes the invitation more compelling.
Pianifichiamo in anticipo per evitare sorprese.
Let us plan in advance to avoid surprises.
Use this when organising a plan that requires advance booking or coordination among several people. It acknowledges Italian time flexibility while proposing to overcome it for an important event. It is practical and shows organisational responsibility.
Siamo tutti d'accordo sulla destinazione?
Are we all in agreement on the destination?
Use this in a group planning context to check for consensus before moving forward. Italian group decisions often involve long discussions — this phrase politely moves the group toward a conclusion. It acknowledges that everyone's opinion matters.
Confermami domani se riesci a venire.
Confirm with me tomorrow whether you can come.
Use this when you need a definite confirmation from someone before finalising plans. It gives them time to check their diary while setting a gentle deadline. The 'mi' at the end emphasises that they are confirming directly to you.
Cosa portiamo come contributo?
What shall we bring as a contribution?
Use this when you have been invited to someone's home and want to know what to bring. Asking proactively rather than arriving empty-handed shows Italian social awareness. It can also be used to divide responsibilities in group events.
Non vedo l'ora! Quanti giorni mancano?
I cannot wait! How many days are left?
Use this to express excited anticipation for an upcoming plan. 'Non vedo l'ora' (I cannot wait / I am so looking forward to it) is one of Italian's most vivid expressions. Asking 'how many days are left?' signals that you are counting down to the event.
Facciamo una serata in casa sabato? Film e pizza.
Shall we have a night in on Saturday? Film and pizza.
Use this for a relaxed, intimate social plan at home. 'Film e pizza' is the Italian equivalent of a movie night — immediately understandable and appealing. It is a lower-key alternative to going out that can be equally warm and social.
Che giorno vi fa più comodo a tutti?
What day is most convenient for everyone?
Use this for group scheduling — finding the day that works best for everyone. 'Far comodo' is the Italian expression for something being convenient or suitable. This phrase shows consideration for all group members' schedules.
Ci vediamo là! Non fare tardi.
See you there! Do not be late.
Use this as the final message before a meeting — confirming the plan is set and expressing a gentle reminder about punctuality. The playful 'non fare tardi' (don't be late) acknowledges Italian timing culture with a smile.
Non vedo l'ora di rivederti!
I cannot wait to see you again!
Use this at the end of making a plan to express genuine enthusiasm about the upcoming reunion. It combines the plan confirmation with emotional warmth. It is perfect for friends who have not seen each other in a while.