Italian Expressions

This lesson is full of useful Italian expressions that will help you on your next trip to Italy! After this lesson you'll have a range of common expressions to use when socializing with Italian people, talking about different celebrations, and wishing people good luck!

Make sure you listen to these Italian expressions carefully and practice speaking aloud until you feel confident.

How to say Italian expressions

Here are some of the most basic Italian expressions to get you started. Further on in this lesson we will look at the pronunciation of these and more Italian expressions.

  • Auguri! - Best Wishes!
  • Buona fortuna! - Good luck!
  • Divertiti! - Have fun! (single)
  • Divertitevi! - Have fun! (plural)
  • Con affetto! - Lots of love!
  • Buon viaggio! - Have a good trip!
  • Buon appetito! - Enjoy your meal!
  • Brindisi! - Cheers!
  • Salute! - Good health! / Bless you!
  • Buona fortuna! - Good luck!

Resources for further reading:

Let's get started...

How to pronounce Italian expressions

Practice Your Pronunciation With Rocket Record

Rocket Record lets you perfect your Italian pronunciation. Just listen to the native speaker audio and then use the microphone icon to record yourself. Once you’re done, you’ll get a score out of 100 on your pronunciation and can listen to your own audio playback. (Use a headset mic for best results.) Problems? Click here!

Auguri!

Best Wishes!

Buona fortuna!

Good luck!

Divertiti!

Have fun! (single)

Divertitevi!

Have fun! (plural)

Con affetto!

Lots of love!

Buon viaggio!

Have a good trip!

Buon appetito!

Enjoy your meal!

Brindisi!

Cheers!

Salute!

Good health! / Bless you!

Buona fortuna!

Good luck!

Bravo!

Well done!

Mi raccomando!

Take care!

Con i migliori auguri da…

Best wishes from…

Saluti a…

Best wishes to…

Congratulazioni!

Congratulations!

Benvenuti!

Welcome!

Con le mie condoglianze!

With sympathy!

Buon compleanno!

Happy Birthday!

Buona vacanza!

Have a good vacation!

Buona Pasqua!

Happy Easter!

Buon Natale!

Merry Christmas!

Buon anno!

Happy New Year!

Italian expressions for Apologies

The easiest way to apologize in Italian is to say…

Scusa!

Excuse me!

A polite way of apologizing in Italian is to say...

Mi scusi!

Excuse me! (polite)

Mi dispiace sapere che...!

I'm sorry to hear that...!

You could also say…

Pardon!

Pardon

If someone stepped on your toes and apologized, you might want to respond with…

Prego!

Not at all!

That’s it for today’s lesson. Well done! Why not check out some more lessons on Italian phrases next?

A presto!

Maria DiLorenzi and the Rocket Italian Team

Make It Stick With Rocket Reinforcement

Reinforce your learning from this lesson with the Rocket Reinforcement activities!