Most tourists visit Italy armed with โciaoโ and โgrazieโ โ but forget the one little phrase that locals secretly love.
After living in Italy for 20 years, I promise: this tiny, two-second phrase does more to open doors (and hearts) than any guidebook ever will.
In this video, Iโll break down the classic phrases everyone knows โ and the real insider expressions that make you sound like you actually get Italy. Stick around to the end, because Iโll share the phrase that once helped me dodge an awkward restaurant bill fight… and yes, it involved sparkling water.
Next time youโre here? Use this phrase โ and watch the smiles roll in.
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26 Comments
The One Italian Word That Will Save You a Fortune https://youtu.be/Ju9ZXd0O-YE?si=G2ECW3gwrsucNjHo
I like that…. Buona giornata to you!! I'll definitely use it.๐
Where does "salve" fit into this mix?
Gregor, keep these videos coming, very helpful.
so true about the menus. also if I go to a restaurant and they give me a menu in English i always ask for the Italian menu โฆ because I find the translations on the English menu are often weird.
Buona giornata anche a te!
Just set up shop in Tirana, Albania. Excited to put some Gregor Brown tips into action when we hit Bologna this fall!
Thanks for these phrases! Is the verb ending different for women?
It is useful and polite, when you want a bill, to say "Posso pagare?"
It is funny you said โciao!โ to your friend immediately you saw him
Prego can also politely imply, "I beg your pardon." Let say someone speaks to you but you didn't catch what they said, it's okay to say "Prego?" instead of "cosa?" Also, Ti voglio bene does mean I love you but that's used more with family and friends. Whereas, "Ti amo" is for the one you love that is either a partner or spouse.
Greg, ti prego… PER FAVOREEEEEEEEEE ๐
Please don't skip any letter, read them all ๐
Buona giornata!
WoW – what a dipshit! – sadly Americans are ruining Italy.
Greg!! When did you come to Modena??
Android always, great phrases
โPregoโ is the door opener.
They use it for everything especially the service people. All we communicated with older pensioner lady in southern Italy 32 years ago was โPregoโ Now Iโd speak better Italian as itโs not a hard language to learn if you know something like French. Italians in the South are the most warm and friendly esp if you try to speak Italian. Thatโs where most Italian immigrants come from as the diaspora in USA
Piu' che "scusa", e' meglio dire "permesso"…scusa e' come dire "I'm sorry ", not "excuse me"
The one phrase that locals love that I learned was "Cazzo" Ticket machine doesnt work? Cazzo. Elevator broke in your hotel? Cazzo.
Buona giornata. Thank you for these new words ๐
Great video! Thank you so much !!!
Many thanks for the tips. After this, I am 100% confident that I will have a bonJOURNey!
Please donโt tell me her name is Federica Campagneri ?
Il saluto "Ciao" รจ molto usato in Italia e in altri paesi. Deriva dal dialetto veneto, quando Venezia era una Repubblica Marinara indipendente, e in origine era "Sciao" che vuol dire schiavo. Era una formula di cortesia che significava "sono al tuo servizio, se hai bisogno di me". E poi รจ diventato "Ciao".
If you want to get the waitress to warm up to you right away use Buongiorno/buonasera "signorina"
I thought one of the reasons to go to Italy was their great chow.