Italian Lessons for Beginners
Lezione #7 Posso avere il menu, per favore?
(POHS-soh ah-VEH-rey ell MEH-noo? May I have a menu please?
La frase italiana della settimana
Ho fame, vorrei mangiare.
(OH FAH-meh, vohr-RAY-ee mahn-gee-AHR-eh., I'm hungary, I would like to eat.)
NOTATE: Remember, "h" is never pronounced in Italian
`E l'ora di colazione, pranzo o cena?
(EH LOH-rah dee coh-lah-tsee-OH-neh, PRAHN-zoh o CHAY-nah, Is it time for breakfast, lunch or dinner?)
NOTATE: The word "ora" is used for "time" in phrases like "It's time to go", "It's time to eat", etc. It literally means "hour"
vocaboli nuovi
arance (ah-RAHN-cheh, oranges)
bistecca (bee-STEHK-cah, steak)
burro (BOOR-roh, butter)
carne (CAR-neh, meat)
cipolle (chee-POHL-leh, onion)
dolce (DOHL-cheh, dessert)
fagioli (fah-gee-OH-lee, beans)
formaggio (for-MAH-joh, cheese)
frutta (FROOT-tah, fruit)
gelato (jeh-LAH-toh, ice cream)
insalata (in-sah-LAH-tah, salad)
manzo (MAHN-tzoh, beef)
pane (PAH-neh, bread)
patate (pah-TAH-teh, potate)
pepe (PEH-peh, pepper)
pesce (PEH-sheh, fish)
pollo (POHL-loh, chicken)
proscuitto (proh-SCHOOT-toh, ham)
riso (REE-soh, rice)
sale (SAHL-eh, salt)
uova (OH-vah, eggs)
verdura (vehr-DOO-rah, vegetables)
zucchero (ZOOK-keh-roh, sugar)
zuppa (ZOOP-pah, soup)
Conversazione semplice-domande e risposte
Use these simple questions and combine it with various words from this and other lessons, then answer the question.
1.(domande) Che cosa vuole? di colazione?, di paranzo? di cena?
(KEH COH-sah voo-OH-le?, dee coh-lah-see-OH-neh?, dee PRAHN-soh?, CHAY-nah?, What do you want? for breakfast, for lunch, for dinner)
(risposte) Voglio della frutta.
(voh-l'yoh DEHL-lah FROOT-tah, I want some fruit.)
(risposte) Voglio del pollo.
(voh-l'yoh dehl POHL-loh., I want some chicken)
(risposte) Vorrei del pane.
(vohr-REH-ee dehl PAH-neh., I would like some bread.)
STUDENTI: Practice this for a few days, with a partner if possible. Use words you know from this and other lessons to expand on these sample questions and answers for further practice.
Lezione#8 vocaboli genealogia
(voo-kah-BOO-lee jeh-neh-ah-loo-GEE-ah, genealogy words)
La frase italiana della settimana
Quanto costa questo?
(Koo-AHN-toh COHS-tah KWEHS-toh?, How much is this?
Cento lire.
(CHEN-toh LEE-rah, One hundred lire.)
E' Costa pocco.
(EH COHS-tah POOH-coh, It is cheap.)
Mille lire.
(MEEL-lay LEE-rah, One thousand lire.)
E' caro.
(EH KAH-roh, It is expensive.)
vocaboli nuovi
quaranta (Kwah-RAHN-tah, 40)
cinquanta (cheen-kwoo-AHN-ta, 50)
sessanta (sehs-SAHN-tah, 60)
settanta (seht-TAHN-tah, 70)
ottoanta (oht-toh-AHN-tah, 80)
novanta (noh-VAHN-tah, 90)
cento (CHEN-toh, 100)
cento uno (CHEN-toh OO-noh, 101)
due cento (DOO-eh CHEN-toh, 200)
mille (MEEL-lay, 1,000)
un milione (oon mee-lee-OHN-neh, 1,000,000)
vocaboli genealogia
(voo-kah-BOO-lee jeh-neh-ah-loo-GEE-ah, genealogy words)
anno (AH-noh, year)
atto (AHT-toh, record/deed)
bambino/a (bahm-BEE-noh/nah, baby m/f)
battesimo (baht-teh-SEE0moh, baptism)
cattolica (kaht-toh-LEE-cah, Catholic)
chiesa (key-EHS-sah church)
certificato (cher-tee-fee-KAH-toh, certificate)
citta (CHEET-tah, city)
cittadino/a (cheet-tah-DEE-no, citizen m/f)
comune (Koh-MOO-neh, community/manicipality)
coniugale (KohN-eeoo-JAHL-eh, married)-?
contadino/a (Kohn-tah-DEE-noh/nah, peasant m/f)
diocesi (dee-oh-CHEH-see, diocese)
estratto (es-TRAHT-toh, extract)
frazione (frah-tsee-OH-neh, village)
fu (FOO, was-as in deceased)
infante (een-FAHN-teh, infante)
madrina (mah-DREE-nah, godmother)
marito (mah-REE-toh, husband)
matrimomio (mah-tree-moh-MEE-oh, marriage)
mese (MEH-seh, month)
moglie (MOH-l'yah, wife)
Morto (MORH-toh, died)
morte (MORH-teh, death)
nato (NAH-toh, born)
nascita (nahs-CHEE-tah,birth)
nipotino/a (nee-poh-TEE-noh, grandson/daughter)
nubile (noo-BEE-leh, single/unmarried)
occupazione (ohk-koo-pah-tsee-OH-neh, occupation)
oggetto (oh-JEHT-toh, object-referred to)
ora (OH-rah, hour)
padrino (pah-DREE-noh, godfather)
parocchia (pah-rohk-KEY-ah, parish)
provincia (proh-veen-CHEE-ah, province)
regno (REHG-noh, kingdom)
residenza (reh-see-DEN-tsah, resident)
riassunto (ree-ahs-SOON-toh, summary of record)
sepolto (seh-POHL-toh, buried)
testamento (tehs-tah-MEHN-toh, will)
vedovo/a (veh-DOH-voh-vah,widower/or m/f)
Conversazione semplice-domande e risposte
Use these simple questions and combine it with various words from this and other lessons, then answer the question.
1.(domande) Di cosa città è stato nato?
(DEE COH-sah CHEET-tah, EH STAH-toh, NAH-toh, In what town were you born?)
(risposte) Sono stato nato di___________.
(SOH-noh STAH-toh NAH-toh dee_________, I was born in_________.)
2.(domande) Ha un certificato della nascita?
(ah oon cher-tee-fee-KAH-toh DEH-lah nahs-CHEE-tah, Do you have a birth certificate?)
(risposte) Sì, ho un certificato dell'ufficiale dalla comune.
(SEE, oh oon cher-tee-fee-KAH-toh del loof-fee-chee-AHL-leh DEH-lah Koh-MOO-neh, Yes, I have an official certificate from the town.)
STUDENTI: Practice this for a few days, with a partner if possible. Use words you know from this and other lessons to expand on these sample questions and answers for further practice.
Lezione#9 Cose nella casa.
(COH-zeh NEHL-lah CAH-zah, Things in the house.)
La frase italiana della settimana
E' italiano?
(EH ee-tahl-YAH-noh, Are you an Italian?)
Sì, sono italiano.
(SEE, SOH-noh ee-tahl-YAH-noh, Yes, I am Italian.) or
No, sono americano.
(Noh, SOH-noh ah-meh-ree-KAH-noh, No, I am American.)
Parla Lei Italiano?.
(PAHR-lah lay ee-tahl-YAH-noh, Do you speak Italian?)
Molto poco, ma sto imparando.
(MOHL-toh POH-koh, mah stoh eem-pah-RAHN-doh. Very little, but I'm learning.)
vocaboli nuovi
l'armadio (l'ahr-MAH-dee-oh, the closet)
l'asciugamano (l'ah-shoo-gah-MAH-noh, the towel)
un bicchiere (oon beek-key-EH-reh, a water glass)
un coltello (oon kohl-TEHL-loh, a knife)
una coperta (OO-nah ko-PEHR-tah, a blanket)
un cucchiaio (oon kook-kee-EYE-oh, a spoon)
la finestra (la fee-NEHS-trah, the window)
un francobollo (oon frahn-koh-BOHL-loh, a stamp)
il frigorifero (eel free-goh-REE-feh-roh, the refrigerator)
una forchetta (OO-nah fohr-KEHT-tah a fork)
il forno (eel FOHR-noh, the oven)
un guanciale or cuscino (oon gwan-CHAH-leh or coo-SHEE-noh, a pillow)
un letto (oon LEHT-toh, a bed)
una matita (OO-nah mah-TEE-ta, a pencil)
pasta dentifricia (PAH-stah dehn-tee-FREE-chee-ah, tooth paste)
un pettine (oon peht-TEE-neh, a comb)
un piatto (oon pee-AHT-toh, a plate)
la pianta (lah pee-AHN-tah, the plant)
una radio (OO-nah RAH-dee-oh, a radio)
sapone (sah-POH-neh, soap)
shampoo (SHAHM-poo, shampoo)
una spazzola (OO-nah spahz-ZOH-lah, a brush)
un spazzolino da denti (oon spah-tsoh-LEE-noh da DEHN-tee, the toothbrush)
lo specchio (loh SPEHK-kee-oh, the mirror)
il stereofonico (eel steh-reh-oh-FOH-nee-koh, the stereo)
la stufa (lah STOO-fah, the stove)
il tappeto (eel tahp-PEH-toh, a rug/carpet)
una tazza (OO-nah TATS-sah, a cup)
la televisione (lah teh-leh-vee-see-OH-neh, the television)
TV (tee-VOO, TV)
un tovagliolo (oon toh-vah-lyee-OH-loh, a napkin)
Conversazione semplice
1. Vorrei comprare una radio.
(Vohr-REH-ee com-PRAH-reh OO-nah RAH-dee-oh, I would like to buy a radio.)
2. Dov'e' la coperta?
(doh-VEH la ko-PEHR-tah, Where is the blanket?)
3. La stufa e' nella cucina
(lah STOO-fah EH NEHL-lah koo-CHEE-nah, The stove is in the kitchen.)
4. Per favore mi porti un piatto.
Pehr fah-VOH-reh mee POHR-tee on pee-AHT-toh, Please bring me a plate.)
STUDENTI: Practice this for a few days, with a partner if possible. Use words you know from this and other lessons to expand on these sample questions and answers for further practice.
Lezione#10 Io parlo Italiano
(EE-oh PAHR-loh ee-tahl-YAH-noh, I speak Italian)
NOTATE: In this lesson we will look as some pronoun usage.
La frase italiana della settimana
Cari amici, come vanno le cose?
(CAH-ree ah-MEE-chee, COH-meh VAHN-noh leh COH-seh?, Dear friends, how goes things/how are things?)
Bene e tu?
(BEH-neh eh too?, Fine and how are you?)
Che c'e' di nuovo?
(Keh cheh dee noo-OH-voh, What's new?)
Non molto!
(nohn MOHL-toh, not much!)
vocaboli nuovi
NOTATE: The usual order for conjugating verbs is singular first--io, tu (familiar), lui(he)/lei(she)/Lei (you formal); then plural noi, voi (you plural familiar or you in general); loro (they)/Loro (you plural formal)
parlare (pahr-LAH-reh, to speak)
io parlo (EE-oh PAHR-loh, I speak)
tu parli (too PAHR-lee, you speak,-fam.)
voi parlate (voy pahr-LAH-teh, you speak-South or plural form)
Lei parla (LEH-ee PAHR-lah you speak-form.)
lei parla (LEH-ee PAHR-lah, 'it', 'he', or 'she' speaks)
lui parla (LOO-ee PAHR-lah, he speaks)
noi parliamo (NOH-ee pahr-lee-AH-moh, we speak)
loro parlano (LOH-roh PAHR-lah-noh, they speak Male or Female)
Loro parlano (LOH-roh PAHR-lah-noh, you speak-form)
NOTATE: These forms make up present tenses and literally mean I speak, I am speaking and I do speak. PARLARE is an "ARE" verb (first conjugation) because its infinitive form "to speak" ends in "ARE". Some other "ARE" conjugtions include:
cucinare (koo-chee-NAH-reh, to cook)
mangiare (mahn-JAH-reh, to eat)
studiare (stoo-dee-AH-reh, to study)
NOTATE: People who you call by first names because they are veryfamiliar to you, cause you to use "tu" (singular) for the "you" or "voi" plural. Use the formal terms with Italians whom you need to show the politeness to.
E' italiano (EH ee-tahl-YAH-noh, He is Italian)
E' italiana (EH ee-tahl-YAH-nah, She is Italian)
Sono italiani (SOH-noh ee-tahl-YAH-nee, They are Italian-masc)
NOTATE: the masculine plural is also used for mixed groups
Sono italiane (SOH-noh ee-tahl-YAH-neh, They are Italian-fem)
un caro amico (oon KAH-roh ah-MEE-coh, a dear friend-masc)
una cara amica (OO-nah KAH-rah ah-MEE-cah, a dear friend-fem)
dei cari amici (DEH-ee CAH-ree ah-MEE-chee, some dear friends-masc)
delle care amiche (DEHL-leh CAH-reh ah-MEE-cheh, some dear friends-fem)
NOTATE: The adjective must agree with the noun. This is your clue to gender or singular/plural useage.
Conversazione semplice:
Parla italiano?
(PAHR-lah ee-tahl-YAH-noh, Do you speak Italian?)
Si', un poco.
(SEE, oon POH-koh, Yes, a little.)
Molto poco!
(MOHL-toh POH-koh, Very little.)
Non molto bene.
(Nohn MOHL-toh BEH-neh, Not very well.)
Io parlo italiano male
(EE-oh PAHR-loh ee-tahl-YAH-noh MAH-leh, I speak Italian poorly.)
NOTATE: "io" means "I", but ecause you can tell the person of the verb by its ending, you can leave out the personal pronouns. The next response leaves off the "io" personal pronoun.
Non lo parlo molto bene
(nohn loh PAHR-loh MOHL-toh BEH-neh, I don't speak it very well.)
STUDENTI: Practice this for a few days, with a partner if possible. Use words you know from this and other lessons to expand on these sample questions and answers for further practice.
Lezione#11 Parti del Corpo Umano
(PAHR-tee dehl KOHR-poh oo-MAH-noh, Parts of the Human Body)
vocaboli nuovi
la bocca (lah BOHK-kah, the mouth)
le due braccia (leh DOO-eh BRAHT-chah, the two arms)
un braccio (oon BRAHT-choh, an arm)
il braccio destro (eel BRAHT-choh DEHS-troh, the right arm)
il braccio sinistro (eel BRAHT-choh see-NEES-troh, the left arm)
i capelli (ee kah-PEHL-lee, the hair)
il collo (eel KOHL-loh, the neck)
il dente (eel DEHN-teh, the tooth)
i denti (ee DEHN-tee, the teeth)
le dita (leh DEE-tah, the fingers)
un dito (oon DEE-toh, a finger)
il dorso (eel DOHR-soh, the back)
la fronte (lah FROHN-teh, the forehead)
una gamba (OO-nah GAHM-bah, one leg)
le due gambe (leh DOO-eh GAHM-beh, the two legs)
le ginocchia (leh jee-NOCK-k'yah, the knees)
il ginocchio (eel jee-NOCK-k'yoh, the knee)
la labbra (lah LAHB-brah, the lips)
il labbro (eel LAHB-roh, the lip)
la lingua (lah LEEN-gwah, the tongue)
le due mani (leh DOO-eh MAH-nee, the two hands)
una mano (OO-nah MAH-noh, a hand)
la mano destra (lah MAH-noh DEHS-trah, the right hand)
la mano sinistra (lah MAH-noh see-NEES-trah, the left hand)
il naso (eel NAH-zoh, the nose)
i due occhi (ee DOO-eh OCK-kee, the two eyes)
un occhio (oon OCK-k'yoh, an eye)
i due orcchi (ee DOO-eh oh-REHK-kee, the two ears)
un orecchio (oon oh-REHK-k'yoh, one ear)
un piede (oon p'YEH-deh, a foot)
i due piedi (ee DOO-eh p'YEH-dee, the two feet)
il petto (eel PET-toh, the chest)
le spalle (leh SPAHL-leh, the shoulders)
lo stomaco (loh stoh-MAH-koh, the stomach)
la testa (lah TESS-tah, the head)
Saggi di saluti (samples of greetings):
Bravo
(BRAH-voh, excellent or well done!)
Congratulazioni
(kohn-grah-too-lah-tsee-OH-nee, congratulations)
Mi congratulo per...
(mee kohn-grah-TOO-loh pehr, my congratulations on..)
Permettete di offrirvi le mie piu' sentite congraluazioni per...
(Pehr-meht-TEH-teh dee ohf-FREER-vee leh MEE-eh PEE-oo sehn-TEE-tah kohn-grah-too-lah-tsee-OH-nee pehr, Allow me to congratulate you on...)
I migliori auguri
(ee mee-glee-OHR-ee ahw-GOO-ree, with good wishes)
Cari auguri
(KAH-ree ahw-GOO-ree, with love and best wishes)
Vogliate accettare i nostri piu' cordiali auguri
(Voh-glee-AHW-teh ahk-cheht-TAH-reh, ee NOHS-tree PEE-oo kohr-dee-AHL-ee ahw-GOO-ree, please accept our best wishes)
Boun compleanno
(Bohn kohm-pleh-AHN-noh, happy birthday)
Tanti aururi di boun compleanno
(TAHN-tee ahw-ROO-ree dee bohn kohm-pleh-AHN-noh, best wishes for a happy birthday)
I nostri piu' sinceri auguri in occasione dei tuoi (____*) anni
(ee NOHS-tree PEE-oo seen-CHER-ee ahw-ROO-ree een ohk-kah-see-OH-neh DEH-ee TOO-ee, (______*) AHN-nee, our very best wishes on your (_____*) birthday)
NOTATE: *fill in number like 29 15, 65 for the birthday year
Cento di qusti giorni
(CHEN-toh dee KWOOS-tee JOUR-nee, Many happy returns of the day)
I miei piu' sentiti auguri per una pronta guarigione
(ee MYEH-ee, PEE-oo sehn-TEE-tee ahw-ROO-ree pehr OO-nah PROHN-tah gwahl-ree-gee-OH-neh, very best wishes for a speedy recovery)
Le auguro tutto il successo che giustamente merita nella sua nuova carriera
(leh awh-JOO-roh TOOT-toh eel sook-CHEHS-soh key joos-tah MEHN-teh meh-REE-tah NEHL-lah SOO-ah noo-OH-va, kahr-ree-EHR-ah, I wish you every success in your new career)
STUDENTI: Practice this for a few days, with a partner if possible. Use words you know from this and other lessons to expand on these sample questions and answers for further practice.
Lezione#12 L'introduzione e la Partenza
(l'een-troh-doo-zee-OH-ne e lah PAHR-teh, Introducing and Departing
Conversazione semplice
Posso presentarle mio amico, John?
(POHS-soh preh-sehn-TAHR-leh MEE-oh ah-MEE-koh John?, May I present my friend John?)
Le presento il mio amico John.
(LEH preh-sehn-toh eel MEE-oh ah-mee-koh John. I present you my friend John).
Mi e' un piacere conoscerLa.
(MEE EH oon pee-ah-CHEH-reh coh-NOH-sher-lah. It is a pleasure for me to meet you.)
Felice incontrare Lei.
(feh-LEE-che een-kohn-TRAH-reh lay. I am happy to meet you.)
Il piacere e' il mio.
(ell pee-ah-CHE-reh e ell MEE-oh. The pleasure is mine).
Mi posso introdurre? Sono....
(mee POHS-soh een-troh-DOOR-reh? SOH-noh..... May I introduce myself? I am.....(your name)
E' stato un vero piacere.
( E STAH-toh oon VEH-roh pee-ah-CHE-reh, It's been a real pleasure.)
Il piacere e' stato il mio.
(eel pee-ah-CHE-reh e STAH-toh ell MEE-oh. The pleasure was all mine.)
A presto.
(ah PREHS-toh. See you soon)
Arrivederci ad un altro giorno.
(ahr-ree-veh DEHR-chee ahd oon AHL-troh j'YOHR-noh. Goodbye until another day).
A piu' tardi.
(ah p'YOU TAHR-dee. See you later).
A dopo!
(ah DOH-poh! See you later!)
Ci vediamo.
(chee veh-d'YAH-moh. We'll see each other-see you.)
A domani.
(ah doh MAH-nee. See you tomorrow.)
A sabato.
(ah sah-BAH-toh. See you Saturday.)
STUDENTI: Practice this for a few days, with a partner if possible. Use words you know from this and other lessons to expand on these sample questions and answers for further practice.
Lezione#13 Buon Natale
(bohn nah-TAH-leh, Merry Christmas)
Conversazione semplice
Buon Natale
(bohn noh-TAH-leh, Merry Christmas)
la Vigilia di Natale
(lah vee-gee-LEE-ah dee nah-TAH-leh, Christmas eve)
uno biglietto di aururi natalizi
(OO-noh bee-glee-EHT-toh dee ah-ROO-ree nah tah-LEE-see, a Christmas card)
una calza della Befana
(OO-nah KAHL-tsah DEHL-lah beh-FAH-nah, a Christmas stocking)
periodo natalizio
(pehr-EEOH-doh nah-tah-lee-TSEE-oh, Christmas time)
albero di Natale
(ahl-BEH-roh dee nah-TAH-leh, Christmas tree)
Anno Nuovo
(AHN-noh noo-OH-voh, New Year)
Buon Anno!
(bohn AHN-noh, Happy New Year)
Capodanno
(kah-poh-DAHN-noh, New Year's day)
augurare buon anno
(ah-goo-RAH-reh bohn AHN-noh, to wish a happy New Year)
la vigilia di Capodanno
(lah vee-gee-LEE-ah dee kah-poh-DAHN-noh, New Year's Eve)
Augurando un Natale pieno di pace e di serenita' e un nuovo anno pieno di ogni gioia e felicita'
(Wishing you a Christmas full of peace and serenity and a new year bringing every joy and happiness.)
In questo giorno solenne Vi giungano gli auguri piu fervidi e sinceri per Il Santo Natale.
(In this most Solemn Day here are fervent and sincere wishes for the Holy arrival at Christmas.)
Che il novello anno sia portatore di ogni benessere e felicita'.
(That you receive every comfort and happiness this New Year.)
Felicita e benessere siano di augurio a voi nella ricorrenza del Santo Natale e del Nuovo Anno.
(Happiness and blessings are of wished to you in the recurrence of Holy Christmas and the New Year.)
Anno nuovo vita nuova
(AHN-noh noo-OH-voh VEE-tah noo-OH-vah, The new year calls for a new way of life.)
© 19954-2008 John A. Griffin