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Useful Phrases


Good day Buon giorno (used all morning until just after lunch)
Good evening Buona sera (used after lunch through the evening)
Good night Buona notte
Excuse me Permesso (when leaving a bus, etc)
Excuse me please Mi scusi, per favore (when some inconvenience has been caused)
I beg your pardon Chiedo scusa
Thank you Grazie
To solicit a kindness or respond to Grazie Prego (meaning I pray, like the old English “prithee”)
To call a waiter Prego, or the slightly less polite Senta
To order from a menu Vorrei questo... (I’d like… and point at your choice)
Finally, do not mumble. Italians will understand anything if it is said with volume.