Learn Italian by speaking, one real situation at a time
The Italian path is set mostly in Rome, with scenes in Milan, Florence and Bologna and a town festival in Umbria.
It teaches Italian as people speak it at the bar, in shops and at work: tu with friends, Lei when you need to be polite. Every word comes with a pronunciation guide in plain English letters.
Free: 3 sessions a day, 3 minutes each. Not sure where to start? The level test is a 3-minute conversation that places you on the path.
A1 · Foundations
Unit 1 · First words
- How to say hello and goodbye in ItalianHello and goodbye: Walk into any Italian bar and say hi first.
- How to say please, thank you and sorry in ItalianPlease, thanks, sorry: Three small words that open every door in Italy.
- How to ask how much something costs in ItalianNumbers and prices: Ask the price, catch the number, keep your euros.
- Buying something at a newsstand in ItalianCheckpoint · The edicola test: Prove it: greet, ask, buy, thank, escape.
Unit 2 · Café & food
- How to order coffee at the bar in ItalianOrder at a café: Espresso at the bar, like you have done it forever.
- How to order a meal in ItalianOrdering a meal: Sit down and order a real lunch, no pointing.
- How to ask what's in a dish in ItalianWhat's in it?: Know what's on the plate before it arrives.
- Lunch at a restaurant in Italian, from table to billCheckpoint · Lunch, start to finish: Prove it: from empty table to paid bill.
Unit 3 · Getting around
- How to ask for directions in ItalianAsk for directions: Navigate the vicoli without walking in circles.
- How to buy a train ticket in ItalianBuying a ticket: One way or return? Answer before they ask.
- How to take a taxi in ItalianTaking a taxi: Say where, ask how much, hop out smoothly.
- Getting across the city by public transport in ItalianCheckpoint · Across the city: Prove it: hotel to Colosseum, zero English.
Unit 4 · People
- Italian phrases for meeting someone newMeet someone new: Aperitivo introductions that flow like the spritz.
- How to talk about your day in ItalianTalking about your day: Small talk that survives past 'bene, grazie'.
- How to make plans with a friend in ItalianMaking plans: Turn 'we should meet up' into an actual date.
- Running into a friend in Italian: from hello to a planCheckpoint · Running into a friend: Prove it: ciao, small talk, and a real plan.
Unit 5 · Shopping
- How to buy clothes in ItalianBuying clothes: Find your size, try it on, walk out happy.
- How to pay and ask for a receipt in ItalianPaying & receipts: Card or cash? Nail the till in ten seconds.
- How to return an item in ItalianReturns & problems: Wrong size? Broken zip? Walk back in and fix it.
- Buying and exchanging clothes in ItalianCheckpoint · Shopping run: Prove it: buy the jacket, then fix the problem.
A2 · Out in the world
Unit 1 · Eating out
- How to book a table at a restaurant in ItalianBooking a table: Grab the table outside before the tourists do.
- How to share dishes and split the bill in ItalianDinner with friends: Share the plates, raise the glass, split it evenly.
- How to send food back politely in ItalianSending it back nicely: Fix the plate without spoiling the evening.
- Dinner at a restaurant in Italian, from booking to billCheckpoint · The dinner out: Prove it: one dinner, from phone call to bill.
Unit 2 · Travel days
- How to check in at a hotel in ItalianHotel check-in: Get the key, the wifi and a working room.
- What to say when you miss a train in ItalianDelays and missed trains: The train is late; your Italian is on time.
- Renting an apartment in Italian: keys, rules and repairsRenting a place: Keys, bins and quiet hours: sound like a neighbour.
- Arriving late at a hotel in Italian, with a booking problemCheckpoint · Arrival day chaos: Prove it: late train, midnight desk, missing booking.
Unit 3 · Daily life
- What to say at the pharmacy in ItalianAt the pharmacy: Say what hurts and let the pharmacist decide.
- How to see a doctor in ItalianSeeing a doctor: Where it hurts, since when, what happens next.
- How to book and change appointments in ItalianErrands and appointments: Book it, post it, move it, all before lunch.
- A sick day in Italian: doctor, pharmacy and a moved appointmentCheckpoint · Sick day errands: Prove it: unwell, busy, and still on schedule.
Unit 4 · Small talk & stories
- How to talk about your weekend in ItalianWeekend stories: Turn a flat 'bene' into an actual story.
- How to give your opinion in ItalianLikes, dislikes & why: Have an opinion, and back it up.
- How to invite someone out in ItalianInviting someone out: Ask them out, survive a no, land a yes.
- Catching up over coffee in Italian: stories, opinions, plansCheckpoint · Coffee catch-up: Prove it: a story, an opinion, an invitation.
B1 · Real conversations
Unit 1 · Work & study
- How to talk about your job in ItalianWhat you do: Say what you do without reciting your CV.
- How to speak up in a meeting in ItalianA meeting moment: Disagree politely and still get the slot you wanted.
- How to talk about your goals and plans in ItalianGoals and plans: Big plans, said like a person, not a phrasebook.
- Networking in Italian: introduce yourself and follow upCheckpoint · The networking event: Prove it: work the aperitivo and leave with a date.
Unit 2 · Stories & feelings
- How to tell a story about your past in ItalianA story from your past: Two tenses, one story, the whole table listening.
- How to say how you really feel in ItalianHow you are feeling: Say how you actually are, not just tutto bene.
- How to give advice in ItalianGiving advice: Help your friend without sounding like their mother.
- How to comfort a friend in ItalianCheckpoint · Heart to heart: Prove it: draw them out, relate, then advise.
Unit 3 · Practical adulting
- How to call customer service in ItalianCalling customer service: Survive the hold music, reach an actual human.
- How to open a bank account in ItalianOpening a bank account: Documents, stamps and signatures, survived with a smile.
- How to return something broken in ItalianFixing a broken purchase: It died in three weeks. Get your money back.
- How to report an internet outage in ItalianCheckpoint · The internet is down: Prove it: three days offline, one technician to book.
Unit 4 · Culture & conversation
- How to talk about the news in ItalianTalking about the news: Cover the headlines without picking a side.
- How to talk about holidays and traditions in ItalianTraditions & festivals: Swap holidays, compare customs, get invited back.
- How to disagree politely in ItalianFriendly debate: Argue about pizza and stay friends.
- Dinner party conversation in Italian: news, holidays, foodCheckpoint · Dinner party talk: Prove it: news, traditions, and whose cuisine wins.