Have you noticed how much the cost of living has gone up?
'Aumentato' = ow-men-TAH-toh — four syllables. 'Costo della vita' = the cost of living — a fixed phrase.
Use with neighbours, colleagues, or friends when shopping, at the market, or when prices are visibly high. Complaining about rising prices is universal small talk that creates immediate solidarity.
'Hai visto quanto è aumentato' = 'have you seen how much it has increased.' 'Aumentare' (to increase) with 'essere' as auxiliary in passato prossimo. 'Il costo della vita' is the standard Italian phrase for 'the cost of living.'
I prezzi sono alle stelle.
Prices are sky-high.
'Alle stelle' (at the stars) — Italian idiomatic expression for very high prices.
Non riesco più a fare la spesa come prima.
I can no longer shop like I used to.
Personal experience of inflation — relatable and conversation-starting.
Hai notato quanto costa adesso la benzina?
Have you noticed how much petrol costs now?
Specific to petrol costs — particularly hot topic in Italy given car culture.
Italy has been significantly affected by inflation in recent years. The price of basic foods like pasta, bread, and olive oil — Italian staples — rising steeply is a particularly sensitive topic. 'La pasta cara' has almost become a national scandal.