How to talk about your day in Italian
Stamattina ho lavorato
“This morning I worked”
When: Telling someone how your morning went
The moment
You are having a quick coffee at the bar downstairs from your office in Milan and an Italian colleague asks how your day is going. Keep the chat alive for a minute instead of just smiling.
A1 · Unit 4 · People
The lines
Saying what you did today
For something you did earlier today, put 'ho' in front of the verb: 'Stamattina ho lavorato' (this morning I worked). Swap the last word for 'studiato', 'mangiato' or 'dormito' and you can cover most of your morning.
Stamattina ho lavorato
“This morning I worked”
When to use it: Telling someone how your morning went
What you’ll hear back: Ah sì? E com'è andata? (Oh yeah? And how did it go?)
Handing the question back
Never let the chat die after your answer. Bounce it straight back with 'E tu, com'è andata oggi?' — in Italy the question is expected to come back to the other person.
E tu, com'è andata oggi?
“And you, how did today go?”
When to use it: Right after you answer their question
What you’ll hear back: Eh, tanto lavoro come sempre. (Ugh, lots of work as always.)
Words for this scene
| Italian | Say it | English |
|---|---|---|
| Ho fatto colazione al bar | oh FAHT-toh koh-lah-TSYOH-neh ahl bahr | I had breakfast at the café |
Stamattina ho fatto colazione al bar con Giulia. This morning I had breakfast at the café with Giulia. Tip: Breakfast is a cappuccino and a cornetto, standing at the counter. | ||
| Sono un po' stanco | SOH-noh oon poh STAHN-koh | I'm a bit tired |
Oggi sono un po' stanco, ho lavorato tanto. Today I'm a bit tired, I worked a lot. Tip: Women say 'stanca'; it sounds warmer than a flat 'bene'. | ||
| Che bello! | keh BEHL-loh | How nice! |
Domenica vado al mare. Che bello! On Sunday I'm going to the seaside. How nice! Tip: React out loud in Italy; a silent nod reads as bored. | ||
Your objective
Tell them two things you did today, then ask how their day is going.
- one thing you did
- a second thing you did
- a question about their day
Lines that get it done
- Stamattina ho lavorato
- Stamattina ho fatto colazione al bar con Giulia. · This morning I had breakfast at the café with Giulia.
- E tu, com'è andata oggi?
In the live scene the objective stays on screen, and the Replay afterwards says whether you got it done.
Check yourself
1. You want to tell a colleague that you worked this morning. What do you say?
- Stamattina ho lavorato.
- Stamattina ho lavoro.
- Stamattina lavorare molto.
- Domani lavoro molto.
Show the answer
Stamattina ho lavorato.
'Ho' plus 'lavorato' is how you talk about something you did earlier today.
2. Your colleague finishes telling you about her morning. How do you keep the chat going?
- E tu, com'è andata oggi?
- E tu, come ti chiami?
- E tu, di dove sei?
- E tu, che ore sono?
Show the answer
E tu, com'è andata oggi?
'E tu?' plus the same question hands the conversation straight back.
3. A friend tells you she is going to the seaside on Sunday. Which reaction sounds natural?
- Che bello!
- Che peccato!
- Che caro!
- Che noia!
Show the answer
Che bello!
'Che bello!' is the everyday way to show you are happy for someone.