Language in Naples

The official language of Naples is Italian. While, as in many places, you'll be able to get by in English, you may find that some restaurants only have Italian language menus and Italian speaking waiters. We understand that learning a whole new language for your trip might prove a little too challenging, so why not bring our helpful list of basic Italian phrases and expressions to try out on your travels?

And if that seems overwhelming, you'll be able to get by and make a few friends with these essentials:

Shake hands and say buongiorno (good day) or buonasera (good evening) to strangers; kiss both cheeks and say come stai? (how are you?) for friends. Say mi scusi (excuse me) to attract attention; use permesso (permission) when you want to pass by in a crowded space.

Greetings & politeness

Hi/Bye

Ciao

Goodbye

Arrivederci

Good morning

Buongiorno

Good afternoon

Buonasera

Goodnight

Buona notte

Welcome

Benvenuto

Please

Per favore

Thank you

Grazie

You're welcome

Prego

Excuse me

Scusi

Sorry

Mi scusi

 

Useful expressions

Yes

Si

No

No

Maybe

Forse

What?

Che cosa?

When?

Quando?

Why?

Perché?

Where?

Dove?

A lot

Molto

A little

Poco

Too much

Troppo

All

Tutto

Nothing

Niente

Do you speak English?

Parla inglese?

I don't understand

Non capisco

 

Numbers in Italian

0

Zero

1

Uno

2

Due

3

Tre

4

Quattro

5

Cinque

6

Sei

7

Sette

8

Otto

9

Nove

10

Dieci

Days of the week

Monday

Lunedì

Tuesday

Martedì

Wednesday

Mercoledì

Thursday

Giovedì

Friday

Venerdì

Saturday

Sabato

Sunday

Domenica

 

At the restaurant

Do you have a table for...?

Avete un tavolo per...?

I would like to reserve

Vorrei riservare

Dish of the day

Piatto del giorno

Starters

Antipasti

The bill, please

Il conto, per favore

Butter

Burro

Lamb

Agnello

Onion

Cipolla

Breaded cutlet

Cotolette

Mussels

Cozze

Fruit tart

Torta di frutta

Dessert

Dolce

Liver

Fegato

Cheese

Formaggio

Strawberries

Fragole

Omelette

Frittata

Seafood

Frutti di mare

Prawns

Gamberi/Scampi

Ice cream

Gelato

Salad

Insalata

Cerdo

Pork

Apple

Mela

Mustard

Mostarda

Hazelnut

Nocciola

Walnut

Noce

Oysters

Ostriche

Cream

Panna

Bakery

Pasticceria

Peppers

Peperoni

Fish

Pesce

Chicken

Pollo

Tomato

Pomodoro

Mushroom

Funghi

Squid

Seppia

Sole

Sogliola

Truffle

Tartufi

Tuna

Tonno

Tourt

Trota

Egg

Uovo

Clam

Vongole

Sugar

Zucchero

Soup

Zuppa