Useful Italian Phrases

Speaking Italian in Rome

Many Romans in the tourist industry speak some English, but it is less widespread than in northern European cities. Smaller shops, local restaurants, pharmacies, and medical settings may have limited English. Knowing a few key Italian phrases will help you get the assistance you need, especially when asking about accessibility.

Italian pronunciation is quite regular. Each letter is almost always pronounced the same way, and every syllable is spoken. The guides below use simplified phonetic spelling for English speakers.

Essential Accessibility Words

Asking for Help

These phrases will help you ask for accessibility-related assistance:

• Puo aiutarmi? (PWOH ah-yoo-TAR-mee?) - Can you help me?
• C'e un ascensore? (CHEH oon ah-shen-SOH-reh?) - Is there an elevator?
• C'e una rampa? (CHEH OO-nah RAHM-pah?) - Is there a ramp?
• Ho bisogno di aiuto. (Oh bee-ZOH-nyoh dee ah-YOO-toh.) - I need help.
• Uso una sedia a rotelle. (OO-zoh OO-nah SEH-dee-ah ah ro-TEL-leh.) - I use a wheelchair.
• Dov'e il bagno accessibile? (doh-VEH eel BAH-nyoh ah-ches-SEE-bee-leh?) - Where is the accessible bathroom?
• Questo posto e accessibile? (KWEH-stoh POH-stoh eh ah-ches-SEE-bee-leh?) - Is this place accessible?
• C'e un ingresso senza gradini? (CHEH oon een-GREH-soh SEN-tsah grah-DEE-nee?) - Is there a step-free entrance?

Transport Phrases

Useful words and phrases for getting around Rome:

• Fermata (fer-MAH-tah) - Stop (bus/tram)
• Stazione (stah-tsee-OH-neh) - Station
• Binario (bee-NAH-ree-oh) - Platform/track
• Ho bisogno di assistenza per salire. (Oh bee-ZOH-nyoh dee ah-sees-TEN-tsah pair sah-LEE-reh.) - I need boarding assistance.
• Prossima fermata (PROHS-see-mah fer-MAH-tah) - Next stop
• Questo autobus e accessibile? (KWEH-stoh OW-toh-boos eh ah-ches-SEE-bee-leh?) - Is this bus accessible?
• Dov'e la fermata del bus? (doh-VEH lah fer-MAH-tah del boos?) - Where is the bus stop?

At Restaurants and Shops

• C'e un tavolo al piano terra? (CHEH oon TAH-voh-loh al pee-AH-noh TEH-rah?) - Is there a table on the ground floor?
• Avete posti all'aperto? (ah-VEH-teh POH-stee ahl-ah-PAIR-toh?) - Do you have outdoor seating?
• Il bagno e accessibile? (eel BAH-nyoh eh ah-ches-SEE-bee-leh?) - Is the bathroom accessible?
• Il conto, per favore. (eel KON-toh, pair fah-VOH-reh.) - The bill, please.
• Avete un menu in inglese? (ah-VEH-teh oon meh-NOO een een-GLEH-zeh?) - Do you have a menu in English?

Medical and Emergency Phrases

• Emergenza (eh-mair-JEN-tsah) - Emergency
• Ospedale (oh-speh-DAH-leh) - Hospital
• Farmacia (far-mah-CHEE-ah) - Pharmacy
• Medico (MEH-dee-koh) - Doctor
• Ho bisogno di un medico. (Oh bee-ZOH-nyoh dee oon MEH-dee-koh.) - I need a doctor.
• Prendo dei farmaci. (PREN-doh day FAR-mah-chee.) - I take medication.
• Sono allergico/a a... (SOH-noh al-LAIR-jee-koh/kah ah...) - I am allergic to...
• Chiamate un'ambulanza. (kee-ah-MAH-teh oon-am-boo-LAHN-tsah.) - Call an ambulance.

Numbers and Basics

Pronunciation Tips

A few key rules for Italian pronunciation:

• "c" before e or i sounds like "ch" in "church." Before a, o, u, it sounds like "k."
• "g" before e or i sounds like "j" in "just." Before a, o, u, it sounds like "g" in "go."
• "gn" sounds like "ny" in "canyon" (as in "bagno" = BAH-nyoh).
• "gl" before i sounds like "lli" in "million."
• "sch" sounds like "sk" (not "sh" as in English or German).
• "z" can be "ts" or "dz" depending on the word.
• Double consonants are held slightly longer than single consonants.
• Stress usually falls on the second-to-last syllable, unless there is an accent mark.