Italian Phrases For Dummies

Francesca Romana Onofri is an Italian teacher and translator. Karen Möller is a veteran language teacher and author.

• Introduction 1About This Book 1Conventions Used in This Book 2Foolish Assumptions 3Icons Used in This Book 3Where to Go from Here 4Chapter 1: I Say It How? Speaking Italian 5You Already Know Some Italian 6Words that sound familiar 7Popular expressions 8Mouthing Off: Basic Pronunciation 10The vowel “a” 10The vowel “e” 11The vowel “i” 11The vowel “o” 11The vowel “u” 11Consonants that sound the same in Italian as they do in English 11The consonant “c” 12The consonant “g” 13The consonant “h” 14The consonant “q” 14The consonant “r” 14The consonant “s” 15The consonant “z” 15Double consonants 15Consonant clusters 16Stressing Words Properly 16Chapter 2: Grammar on a Diet: Just the Basics. 19Setting Up Simple Sentences 19Coping with Gendered Words (Articles and Adjectives) 21Definite feminine articles 21Definite masculine articles 22The indefinite feminine article 23Indefinite masculine articles 23Adjectives 23Talking about Pronouns 25Personal pronouns 25Direct object pronouns 27Indirect object pronouns 28Saying “you”: Formal and informal 30Asking Questions 31Introducing Regular and Irregular Verbs 33Regular verbs 33Irregular verbs 36Presenting the Simple Tenses: Past, Present, and Future 38Past tense 38Present tense 42Future tense 42Chapter 3: Numerical Gumbo: Counting of All Kinds 45Counting Cardinals 45Ordering Ordinals 49Talking about Time 50The four seasons 50Decades 51Months of the year 51Days of the week 52Times of day 53Being early or late 54Getting Addresses and Phone Numbers 55Talking about streets 56Describing your home 56Using the verbs “vivere” and “abitare” 57Money, Money, Money 58Going to the bank 59Changing money 61Chapter 4: Making New Friends and Enjoying Small Talk. 63Looking at Common Greetings and Good-byes 63Deciding whether to address someone formally or informally 65Responding to a greeting 65Specifying your reuniting 66Finding Out Whether Someone Speaks English 67Begging Your Pardon? 69Making Introductions 69Introducing yourself 70Introducing other people 71Getting Acquainted 73Talking about where you come from 73Being you, being there: Using the verbs “essere” and “stare” 78Talking about yourself and your family 81Chatting about the weather 82Chapter 5: Enjoying a Drink and a Snack (Or Meal) 85Eating and Drinking, Italian Style 85The Start and Finish of Dining Out 90Making reservations 90Paying for your meal 91Having Breakfast 92Eating Lunch and Dinner 93Savoring Italian soups and pasta dishes 94Using the verbs “prendere” and “volere” 95Ordering from the menu 97Savoring Dessert 99Chapter 6: Shop ’til You Drop!. 101Departmentalizing Your Shopping 102Talking with a Sales Clerk 104Sizing Up Italian Sizes 105Choosing Colors and Fabrics 106Accessorizing 108Stepping Out in Style 109Shopping for Food 109Meats 110Seafood 110Produce 111Baked goods 113Paying for Your Purchases 114Chapter 7: Making Leisure a Top Priority. 117Acquiring Culture 118Going to the movies 119Choosing your seat at the theater 121Going to a concert 122Inviting Fun 123Getting Out and About 125Enjoying the wonders of nature 125Taking a tour 127Playing sports 128Chapter 8: When You Gotta Work 133Talking Shop 133Common professions 134The human element 135Office equipment 136Chatting on the Phone 137Calling from a public phone 138Calling for business or pleasure 139Asking for People and Leaving a Message 141Chapter 9: I Get Around: Transportation 145Getting through the Airport 145Checking in 146Waiting to board the plane 147Taking care of business after landing 148Going through customs 148Renting a Car 149Navigating Public Transportation 151Taking a taxi 151Getting around by train 152Going by bus or tram 153Asking for Directions 154Asking for specific places 155Getting oriented 156Asking how far something is 159Verbs on the move 159Locations you may be looking for 161Chapter 10: Finding a Place to Lay Your Weary Head. 163Reserving a Room 163Checking in and Getting Settled 166Using Plurals and Pronouns 170Making more in Italian 170Personalizing pronouns 173Chapter 11: Dealing with Emergencies 177Dealing with Car Trouble 178Talking to Doctors 180I’ve Been Robbed! Knowing What to Do and Say When the Police Arrive 185When You Need a Lawyer 187Chapter 12: Ten Favorite Italian Expressions 189Mamma mia! (My goodness!) 189Che bello! (How lovely!) 189Uffa! (Aargh!) 189Che ne so! (How should I know?) 189Magari! (If only!) 189Ti sta bene! (Serves you right!) 190Non te la prendere! (Don’t get so upset! / Don’t think about it!) 190Che macello! (What a mess!) 190Non mi va! (I don’t feel like it!) 190mi raccomando! (Please, I beg you!) 190Chapter 13: Ten Phrases That Make You Sound Like a Local 191In bocca al lupo! (Good luck!) 191Acqua in bocca! (Don’t say a word!) 191Salute! (Bless you!) 191Macché! (Of course not! / Certainly not!) 192Neanche per sogno! (In your dreams!) 192Peggio per te! (Too bad for you!) 192Piantala! (Stop it!) 192Vacci piano! (Slow down! / Take it easy!) 192Gatta ci cova! (There’s something fishy going on!) 193Sono nel pallone! (I’m flustered!) 193Index 195