4 Indispensable Italian Words of Politeness (& How to Use Them)

While you may not be learning much Italian before your Italy trip, I always think it’s nice to get a few words of politeness under your belt – for any language – before you arrive in a new place. Politeness will get you oh, so far, even when you’re stumbling through the rest of the language.

In Italian, beginners notice quickly that there are a few polite words that have multiple meanings, or situations in which you don’t use the word you think you might use. In this article, then, I’m going to cover four polite words that will help you navigate a multitude of experiences in Italy.

Scusi

pronunciation: SKOO|zee
The verb “scusare” means to excuse – which you probably can guess just by the way it sounds – but Italians have a couple specific uses for this word, and they do not include trying to find your way through a crowd.

Specifically, “scusi” is the imperative form of the verb, which – in layman’s terms – means it’s what you’d say to a stranger if you wanted to get directions somewhere, ask a shopkeeper what something costs, or actually apologize for something. Those examples in Italian are:

• Scusi, dov’è il bancomat? = Excuse me, where is the bank machine?
• Scusi, quanto costa? = Excuse me, how much does this cost?
• Scusi! or Mi scusi! = I’m sorry!

Permesso

pronunciation: pehr|MEH|soh
While it’s pretty typical for English speakers to say, “Sorry,” as they’re trying to push through a crowd, “scusi” isn’t the word Italians use when they need someone to make room or get out of the way. That word is “permesso,” which comes from the verb “permettere” – to permit or allow. So, when you’re on a crowded bus and you need to get past the person at the door when it’s your stop, you’re essentially saying, “Permit me to get by,” when you say, “Permesso.”

Prego

pronunciation: PREH|goh
Beginning Italian students will learn quickly how to say thank you – grazie – often followed by how to say you’re welcome – prego. There are a couple other extremely common uses for prego, however, will seem out of context if you think it only means “you’re welcome.”

“Prego” is used in the same way an English speaker might say, “After you,” or even, “Please,” when holding open a door. It’s also used by the staff at restaurants, bars, and gelato shops to indicate, “Please, tell me what you’d like.” In other words, when the waiter comes to your table and says, “Prego,” he is not saying, “You’re welcome” before you’ve even ordered.

Posso

pronunciation: POH|soh
“Posso” is from the verb “potere,” which means to be able to, and I find it to be one of the most useful polite words in my Italian arsenal. It’s a simple word that can ingratiate you to just about anyone. It means, “May I?” and if you are good with gestures or already indicating whatever it is you want to do, then all you need is that one little word and you’ve gotten your meaning across.

For example, maybe you’re in a small church and you don’t see any signs forbidding photography, but you want to be sure you’re not offending anyone. So you find someone working there, hold up your camera, and say, “Posso?” Or perhaps you’re shopping at an outdoor market for some fresh fruit, and you’re not sure if this is one of those markets at which you shouldn’t touch the produce. You can point to the apples, gesture as if you’re going to pick one up, and say, “Posso?” to the vendor. It’s respectful to ask permission, even if you only know a few words of Italian.

4 responses to “4 Indispensable Italian Words of Politeness (& How to Use Them)”

1. Patrizia says:

   14 May 2016 at 07:20

   Jessica, I always enjoy your blog but want to especially thank you for the alert about the 6 months rule on the passports. I have immediately notified my group of 20 travelers coming to Florence in the Fall. I knew about the 3 months but was not aware of the change. Keep up the good work!

   Reply
   • Jessica says:

     14 May 2016 at 13:40

     What a nice comment, Patrizia! Thank you so much. 🙂 And I’m glad the passport note was helpful. I’m still sort of surprised it didn’t get some kind of big announcement when it happened in January. (I assume it didn’t, since I can’t imagine that NONE of my Italy writer friends would have seen it.)

     Reply
2. Kathryn Occhipinti says:

   16 May 2016 at 19:27

   Love your post! It is similar to the first pages in my book Conversational Italian for Travelers “Just the Important Phrases.” I think your explanations really help people to understand the culture of Italy and how to use the language. So glad to have found your blog!

   Reply
   • Jessica says:

     17 May 2016 at 10:01

     Thanks so much! I’m glad you like the site! 🙂

     Reply

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