How many words are in this list?

This page gives 100 Italian words on “Politeness and small talk”. The full topic holds 129 in the KoKo app: 51 at the easy level, 45 at the medium level and 33 at the hard level.

Which words should I start with?

With level 1: these are the easiest words of the topic. Move on to level 2 once they come to you without thinking, then to level 3.

How can I remember this Italian vocabulary?

By seeing each word again at longer and longer intervals, just before you forget it: that is spaced repetition. The KoKo app does it for you and tells you each day which words to review.

Can I print this list or save it as a PDF?

Yes. The “Print the list” button at the top of the page opens your device’s print dialog: choose to save as PDF to keep the 100 words and their translation, with nothing else around them.

Italian vocabulary: greetings and polite phrases

Hello, thank you, please, sorry, see you soon: the polite Italian phrases for greeting, thanking and starting a conversation.

Here are 100 Italian words on “Politeness and small talk”, translated into English and sorted from easiest to hardest.

Level 1: easy 39 words

Italian	English
prima lei	after you
salute	cheers
buona fortuna	good luck
buonanotte	good nightWhen parting to go to sleep
arrivederci	goodbye
buon compleanno	happy birthday
buon anno	happy New Year
buona serata	have a good eveningWhen leaving someone early in the evening
buongiorno	helloGreeting on arrival, during the day
ciao	hiInformal greeting
come si dice	how do you say
non lo so	I do not know
non capisco	I do not understand
non fa niente	it does not matter
coraggio	keep it up
faccia come a casa sua	make yourself at home
posso aiutarla	may I help you
no	no
nessun problema	no problem
non c’è di che	not at all
certo	of course
d’accordo	okay
un attimo	one moment
a dopo	see you shortly
a presto	see you soon
tanto meglio	so much the better
mi dispiace	sorryApology
grazie	thank you
è un peccato	that is a pity
fare conoscenza	to get acquainted
presentare	to introduce
presentarsi	to introduce oneself
alla prossima	until next time
attenzione	watch out
che significa	what does it mean
che c’è di nuovo	what is new
con piacere	with pleasureEnthusiastic acceptance
sì	yes
di niente	you are welcomeEveryday use

Level 2: medium 35 words

Italian	English
scusa	apology
auguri	best wishes
conversazione	conversation
potrebbe	could you
discussione	discussion
parla inglese	do you speak English
buon appetito	enjoy your meal
mi scusi	excuse me
addio	farewell
mi segua	follow me
buona guarigione	get well soon
buonasera	good eveningGreeting on arrival, from late afternoon onwards
stretta di mano	handshake
buon fine settimana	have a good weekend
mi aiuti	help me
vorrei	I would like
presentazione	introduction
invito	invitation
buon Natale	merry Christmas
più lentamente	more slowly
pazienza	never mind
per favore	please
lieto di conoscerla	pleased to meet you
rimprovero	reproach
grazie infinite	thanks a million
è gentile	that is kind
scusarsi	to apologise
avvicinare qualcuno	to approach someone
salutare	to greet
invitare	to invite
augurare	to wish
accoglienza	welcomeNoun, the act of receiving someone
che peccato	what a shame
come si chiama	what is your name
prego	you are welcomeFormal register

Level 3: hard 26 words

Italian	English
mi permetta	allow me
silenzio imbarazzato	awkward silence
entri	come in
consolazione	comfort
complimento	compliment
incoraggiamento	encouragement
darsi del lei	formal address
saluto	greeting
pronto	helloOn the phone, when picking up
attenda	hold on
maleducato	ill mannered
malinteso	misunderstanding
condoglianze	my condolences
piacere	nice to meet you
attenda per favore	please hold on
formula di cortesia	polite formula
cortesemente	politely
educazione	politeness
ripeta	repeat
scortesia	rudeness
si accomodi	sit down
congratularsi	to congratulate
disturbare	to disturb
interrompere	to interrupt
dare due baci	to kiss on the cheek
dare del tu	to use informal address

Mini quiz

5 words from this page, picked at random. Find their translation.

Frequently asked questions

How many words are in this list?: This page gives 100 Italian words on “Politeness and small talk”. The full topic holds 129 in the KoKo app: 51 at the easy level, 45 at the medium level and 33 at the hard level.
Which words should I start with?: With level 1: these are the easiest words of the topic. Move on to level 2 once they come to you without thinking, then to level 3.
How can I remember this Italian vocabulary?: By seeing each word again at longer and longer intervals, just before you forget it: that is spaced repetition. The KoKo app does it for you and tells you each day which words to review.
Can I print this list or save it as a PDF?: Yes. The “Print the list” button at the top of the page opens your device’s print dialog: choose to save as PDF to keep the 100 words and their translation, with nothing else around them.