Learning more about the culture and the places you can use your new language skills is all part of your learning adventure. If you’re looking for some extra cultural tips or you have an experience to share, welcome! You can browse the topics, do a search in the top right corner of this page, or start a new conversation. Don’t be shy!
For ordering food; vorrei or prendo which is politer?
For ordering food or drink, which is politer or are they interchangable? Io vorrei ("I would like") orprendo ("I take") Could you also use them in a bar for ordering coffee etc.? Grazie.
1 reply - Last post by Enxhi-Rocket-Italian-Tutor - April 12, 2024
Let's share our favorite Italian expressions and idioms!
Greetings, Italian language enthusiasts! Let's share our favorite Italian expressions and idioms! We all know that idioms add color and flavor to a language, so tell us which Italian expressions you love the most. Is there an idiom that you find particula...
10 replies - Last post by Enxhi-Rocket-Italian-Tutor - September 13, 2023
Dive into Italian Culture: Art, Music, and Cuisine!
Ciao fellow language enthusiasts! Let's take a moment to celebrate the vibrant culture that accompanies our Italian language journey. From Renaissance art to enchanting music and mouthwatering cuisine, Italy offers a treasure trove of experiences. No matt...
0 replies - Last post by Enxhi-Rocket-Italian-Tutor - August 8, 2023
Had an exciting and thrilling evening. Was watching a documentary of Firenze. Saw the Duomo, the rive Arno and the palazzio vecchio. Hope my spelling is correct. Brought that section about Firenze to life. Gia mi piace!
2 replies - Last post by Enxhi-Rocket-Italian-Tutor - July 27, 2023
A new meal to try.Went to our local butcher on Vancouver Island in the Comox Valley and they had braciole.Never even heard of it, so purchased some and am going to cook it. Looks delicious and interesting.My husband has also become quite the Panettone exp...
7 replies - Last post by Enxhi-Rocket-Italian-Tutor - July 11, 2023
Ciao a tutti A brand new year. I have given up on new year resolutions, just never last!One thing I am going to try and keep up with is to use different resources for my language learning.Amazing resources out there and many of them at no charge. I find i...
4 replies - Last post by Enxhi-Rocket-Italian-Tutor - July 11, 2023
Found what I think is quite interesting.A blog called “ Stella Lucente”.Conversational Italian. Lots of stuff to wade through, but some of the Italian learners may find it interesting as well as helpful. Also signed up for Coffee Break TV, a subscription ...
5 replies - Last post by Enxhi-Rocket-Italian-Tutor - July 11, 2023
Hi AllSlang is never a good idea, unless you are very sure about what you are saying. In Portuguese there are words and phrases that are okay for men to use, but not woman. When I was dating a Portuguese boy as a teen, in conversation I heard the “raggazz...
3 replies - Last post by Enxhi-Rocket-Italian-Tutor - July 10, 2023
Salve, I'm going to the Europass school in Firenze for Italian in November. I'm taking their Language Holiday for two weeks. If you've taken a class with Europass, how was it?
1 reply - Last post by Enxhi-Rocket-Italian-Tutor - July 4, 2023
Ciao a tuttiI have come to the conclusion that learning anything new can be exciting, but that one goes through stages where it doesn't feel so great. Bought an e bike a few months ago. Could barely manage 3 kilometrers, and now have imroved tremendously....
2 replies - Last post by caterina-rocket-italian-tutor - September 6, 2022
I am emozionato, I have a penpal. She is Italian, but lives in Germany. I also have a German penpal now, but i think she wants to use her English. German is my next language to brush up on, so not a bad idea. Was scrabbling to write something, but managed...
9 replies - Last post by Maxie - June 8, 2022
Ciao a tuttiWas watching YouTube videos yesterday. Found some great ones for cookery all in Italian. Some did have English subtitles, majority not. Was great to practice listening and increasing vocabulary. Some was a bit fast, it yu do get the general gi...
23 replies - Last post by ChrisM108 - May 5, 2022
Ciao a tuttiWishing everyone a happy learning year. Also hopefully it will be safe to travel soon, as am desperate to see Italy and practise my new Italian language skills. Am going to look for a local Italian teacher this year for speaking practice, as a...
2 replies - Last post by caterina-rocket-italian-tutor - January 24, 2022
Gli uomini sono angeli con un’ala sola. Possono volare solo abbracciati.Humans are angels with a single wing. (They) can only fly embracing each other. Found this on level 2 survival phrases. Describing feelingsWhat a lyrical and lovely expression. Italia...
3 replies - Last post by caterina-rocket-italian-tutor - January 24, 2022
Ciao a tuttiAm intrigued by the Italian Christmas breads. Intend making at least one of them this Christmas. Anyone have a good recipe or a suggestions for which oneA wonderful time to allSebongela
8 replies - Last post by Maxie - December 27, 2021
Hi AllAm interested to know how many people speak multiple languages. Generally speakig have found that people from Europe speak far more languages generally than North Amerca and the rest of the world.Just quizzySebongela
4 replies - Last post by Maxie - October 24, 2021
Last made made salsa besciamella, never thought to add pesto. Thanks “making lasagna” A great alternative to a classic sauce
6 replies - Last post by caterina-rocket-italian-tutor - August 26, 2021
Not sure if it is allowed to send a book recommendation.Not a text book, but more a musing about Italy and the language. Will post it, if allowed, as delightful reading and funny too
24 replies - Last post by Maxie - July 13, 2021
Hello everyone, my name is Gary, aged 60, and from Liverpool in England. I have just started the Italian course and really enjoying the experience. I decided to learn Italian because I used to visit Italian (Modena primarily) on business. I love Northern ...
5 replies - Last post by Maxie - May 7, 2021
Was watching a movie with a bit of Italian in it and was thrilled that I could follow some of the dialogue. Can anyone recommend any movies with Italian, as find it really exciting that I could follow even a little bit. A great motivator!
5 replies - Last post by caterina-rocket-italian-tutor - March 11, 2021
How to ask for a uniformed policeman
Have read again today about a scam in Rome. A plain clothes person claimes to be poice, investigating a robbery or something. They demand to see your passport and other papers. How can I demand to see a uniformed pliceman. I could just yell for help a...
1 reply - Last post by Vicktoya - September 30, 2020
Level 1, Lesson 4.11 - Making Negatives in the wrong place?
Is this lesson in the correct location in the progression of Level 1? The lesson talks about different verb tenses that have not been learned yet in any previous lesson. This makes the lesson a bit more difficult to learn.
1 reply - Last post by MarkL57 - June 29, 2020
Hello, Lesson 6.5 is missing from the lessons. Not sure if the lessons were mislabeled or if a lesson is actually missing. I hope that you and your families are all doing okay. Regards, Sno
1 reply - Last post by marieg-rocket languages - April 15, 2020
I want to knw a but Italian culture and language
6 replies - Last post by caterina-rocket-italian-tutor - December 11, 2019
What exactly are the differences one would expect in 1st or 2nd class train travel? Which is in more common usage - binario or piattaforma when inquiring about a particular train platform? Do Italians more commonly use bagno or W.C. for bathroom?
4 replies - Last post by GerryS - August 29, 2019
I know regional dialects are important in Italy. Does the Italian we are learning with Rocket Italian have any dialect content? If I go to Venice, is the Venetian dialect commonly spoken?
3 replies - Last post by caterina-rocket-italian-tutor - October 10, 2018
Recently made a trip to Sicily and was pleasantly surprised at how well Rocket had prepared me to handle basic interactions - directions, restaurants and sightseeing, etc. I should mention, however, that Italian spoken rapidly with a Sicilian accent can b...
4 replies - Last post by caterina-rocket-italian-tutor - October 10, 2018
"Sulla tua bocca lo dirò quando la luce splenderà!" This would translate literally as "on your mouth I will say it when the light shines" I'm curious what people think he's saying here. Does he mean to say that his name will (figuratively?) be reveale...
2 replies - Last post by JacobL12 - November 15, 2017
Hi! I am about to visit Italy for the first time and my friends over there have set up a music set for me at a gig. What do I play? Will Springsteen go down well? Neil Young?
1 reply - Last post by Lucia - Rocket Languages Tutor - October 2, 2017
Train ticket "validation" before boarding?
Friends warned us about a 2 step process for train tickets? They said something about having to "validate" the ticket before getting on the train. Purchasing a ticket is not enough????
1 reply - Last post by Lucia - Rocket Languages Tutor - September 14, 2017
I have heard the Italian post office can be less than efficient. We were told to mail from the Vatican Post office. How would you ask for a postage stamp that would get the card to America?
2 replies - Last post by gregbutler003 - February 21, 2017
Going to be in Italy for over two weeks next year. Ubderstand many hotels have landry service. How do you ask for it and find how long till it is returned to your room? Also do you know if it is required to have a note from your Doctor showing what med...
1 reply - Last post by Lucia - Rocket Languages Tutor - August 23, 2016
How to ask for a uniformed policeman
Have read again today about a scam in Rome. A plain clothes person claimes to be poice, investigating a robbery or something. They demand to see your passport and other papers. How can I demand to see a uniformed pliceman. I could just yell for help a...
2 replies - Last post by David--727 - July 28, 2016
I will be visiting Italy in a few weeks. I am allergic to wheat and may need the wait staff to help me choose what to order when eating out. Is there a simple sentence or two that I could say that would be polite?
6 replies - Last post by Tatjana-L - July 8, 2016
My wife and I are to travel to Cortona for 5 weeks in October, 2016. Any suggestions for what we really must do while there, in terms of connecting locally, sites, food, wine, travel in Tuscany, Umbria, Rome, etc? Thanks. We also hope by then to be abl...
1 reply - Last post by jv Sant Agata - April 12, 2016
Lo sapevate che... ? In Italia, cosi' come anche in altre parti del mondo, quando nasce un bambino c'e' l'usanza di apporre un fiocco sulla porta di casa. Fiocco rosa se e' una bambina e fiocco blu per il maschietto. A seconda delle credenze popolari e d...
2 replies - Last post by 1SharpGent - February 13, 2016
At the last page of item 3.7 Coparing things It Is readen: I più bei fiori. Is that not a fault in the word "bei", should It not be written "bel" from "bollo? The "bei" I can't look op In my dictionary. Otherwise explain It for me, please.
1 reply - Last post by Lucia - Rocket Languages Tutor - January 28, 2016
Traveling to Milano and Cologne
I will be going to Milan and Cologne for business in July. I have 3 days for myself. Any suggestions on places to stay and /or see. :D
8 replies - Last post by Maria-DiLorenzi - October 3, 2015
Hello everybody, did you know that... After a meal Italians will never drink a cappuccino or a latte for example The perfect end of a meal is a good espresso ! We drink espresso in different times of the day and you don't need to sit down to have one. M...
3 replies - Last post by Maria-DiLorenzi - September 21, 2015
Lo sapevate che... ? In Italia, cosi' come anche in altre parti del mondo, quando nasce un bambino c'e' l'usanza di apporre un fiocco sulla porta di casa. Fiocco rosa se e' una bambina e fiocco blu per il maschietto. A seconda delle credenze popolari e d...
0 replies - Last post by Maria-DiLorenzi - November 5, 2014
can i learn with italian people
4 replies - Last post by Maria-DiLorenzi - September 21, 2014
0 replies - Last post by noha--16 - April 12, 2014
I want to knw a but Italian culture and language
1 reply - Last post by Maria-DiLorenzi - January 24, 2014
Voglio trasferire a Napoli. DAGLI STATI UNITI
has anyone lived there? stationed there? I hear good and bad
12 replies - Last post by Maria-DiLorenzi - November 21, 2013
Does the word "caruccio" mean the same as carino? It wasn't in my dictionary, so thought I should check.
2 replies - Last post by Maria-DiLorenzi - August 31, 2013
Ciao a tutti Sono departe a sydney a roma pio palermo per ventisei giorno. Sono molti eccitata (excited). Spero imparare abbastanza italiana. non c'è italiano parole per woohoo!!!! Fran
32 replies - Last post by Maria-DiLorenzi - August 10, 2013
Asking someone to call for a taxi?
After dinner, I tend to ask the staff if they would call a taxi - in English, as I am just starting to learn. But this limits me where I eat. I wonder if either of the below 2 questions would sound polite enough (as I am asking for a favor) - but I am n...
11 replies - Last post by Maria-DiLorenzi - March 1, 2013
Ciao; I will be traveling to Italy in October 2013. Are there different dialects throught the different regions that I should be aware of? Grazie.
2 replies - Last post by Maria-DiLorenzi - January 30, 2013
I just got back from a vacation in Turks and Caicos. On my stay I met two brothers named Luigi and Mariano. They are my age and live in Naples. In order to communicate with them I needed to speak Italian to them. At first it was hard to pronounce the w...
4 replies - Last post by Maria-DiLorenzi - September 14, 2011
For example when someone says "degli innocenti", why do you use degli? I thought you only use degli when the word following it has an S+a consonant.
2 replies - Last post by Michael-D3 - June 26, 2011