142: The Italian Travel Phrases Tourists Nearly Always Get Wrong
Digest
This episode of Learn Italian with Joy of Languages focuses on common mistakes tourists make in Italy, including pronunciation, ordering, and expressing common phrases. The hosts, who live in Milan, share a conversation they had while visiting the Duomo, highlighting common errors and offering correct pronunciations and phrases. They discuss the correct way to say "spritz" (uno spritz), "euro" (e-u-ro), and "no problem" (non c'è problema). They also explain the Italian way of expressing "it's hot" (fa caldo) and how to order drinks and food using phrases like "prendo" (I'll have) and "per me" (for me). The episode concludes with a reminder to visit their website for more resources and a farewell in Italian, "alla prossima!"
Outlines
Introduction: Common Tourist Mistakes in Italy
This Chapter introduces the topic of common mistakes tourists make in Italy, setting the stage for the episode's focus on practical language tips for smoother communication with locals.
Conversation at the Duomo: Real-Life Examples
This Chapter presents a conversation between the hosts as they visit the Duomo in Milan, highlighting common mistakes tourists make and providing correct pronunciations and phrases. They discuss the correct way to say "spritz" (uno spritz), "euro" (e-u-ro), and "no problem" (non c'è problema). They also explain the Italian way of expressing "it's hot" (fa caldo) and how to order drinks and food using phrases like "prendo" (I'll have) and "per me" (for me).
Keywords
Duomo
The Duomo is the main cathedral of a city in Italian. It is often a prominent landmark and a popular tourist destination. For example, the Duomo of Milan is a famous Gothic cathedral known for its intricate architecture and stunning facade.
Spritz
A spritz is a popular Italian alcoholic beverage, typically made with prosecco, Aperol or Campari, and soda water. It is often served in a wine glass with ice and an orange slice. Spritzes are a refreshing drink enjoyed throughout Italy, especially during the summer months.
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the Eurozone, which includes 19 European Union member states. It is a common currency used in many countries, including Italy. The euro is divided into 100 cents. The euro symbol is €.
Fare una foto
This Italian phrase literally translates to "to do a photo." It is used to ask someone to take a picture, similar to "take a photo" in English. For example, you might say "Ci può fare una foto per favore?" (Can you take a photo of us, please?).
Fa caldo
This Italian phrase literally translates to "it does hot." It is used to express that it is hot, similar to "it's hot" in English. For example, you might say "Fa caldo oggi." (It's hot today.)
Prendo
This Italian verb means "I take." However, it is commonly used in Italian to express "I'll have" when ordering food or drinks. For example, you might say "Prendo un caffè." (I'll have a coffee.)
Per me
This Italian phrase means "for me." It is often used when ordering food or drinks to specify that something is for you. For example, you might say "Per me un'acqua frizzante." (For me a fizzy water.)
Madai
This Italian expression is a combination of "ma" (but) and "dai" (come on). It is used to express frustration or impatience, similar to "come on" in English. For example, you might say "Madai, andiamo!" (Come on, let's go!)
Q&A
What are some common mistakes tourists make when speaking Italian?
Tourists often make mistakes with pronunciation, such as saying "uno spritz" instead of "uno spritz" or "euro" instead of "euro." They also tend to translate directly from English, which can lead to incorrect phrases like "e caldo" instead of "fa caldo" for "it's hot." Additionally, tourists may use informal greetings like "ciao" in formal situations where "salve" is more appropriate.
How can I avoid making these mistakes and communicate more smoothly with locals?
Pay attention to pronunciation and learn the correct Italian phrases for common situations. For example, use "prendo" instead of "avere" when ordering, and use "per me" to specify that something is for you. Also, be aware of the difference between formal and informal greetings and use the appropriate one for the situation.
What are some useful phrases to learn for ordering food and drinks in Italy?
Some useful phrases include "prendo" (I'll have), "per me" (for me), and "un'acqua frizzante" (a fizzy water). You can also use "uno spritz" to order a spritz and "un caffè" to order a coffee.
What are some tips for improving my Italian pronunciation?
Listen carefully to native speakers and practice saying the words correctly. You can also use online resources like pronunciation guides and dictionaries to help you improve your pronunciation.
Show Notes
Are you making these tourist mistakes when you speak Italian? It’s OK, nearly everyone does! Learn how to avoid them in this mini lesson.
Learn about our Online Italian School and get a free mini lesson every week: https://joyoflanguages.online/italian-school
Subscribe to our new Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@joyoflanguages.italian?sub_confirmation=1
Get the bonus materials for this episode: https://italian.joyoflanguages.com/podcast/italian-travel-phrases-mistakes
Today's Italian words:
Nessun problema = No problem
Non c’è problema = No problem (lit. there is no problem)
Fare una foto = To take a photo (lit. to do a photo)
Ci puoi fare una foto? = Can you take a photo of us? (informal)
Ci può fare una foto? = Can you take a photo of us (formal)
Siamo in due = There are two of us
Uno spritz = A spritz
Uno studente = A student
Uno scontrino = A receipt
Prendo uno spritz = I’ll have a spritz (lit. “I take a spritz”)
Fa caldo = It’s hot
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