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Italian Phrases and Words to Use At Restaurant

Italian Phrases and Words to Use at a Restaurant in Italy 

On this page, you will find a list of sentences that will make your life easier when you’re at a restaurant in Italy.

Before going through the list, you might also want to know that it is customary to be seated or make a reservation, especially on weekends.

Tipping in Italy 

When it comes to paying, unlike many other countries, a tip is not expected because it is included in the bill under the voice “coperto.” However, if the service was excellent, you can leave a tip to show your satisfaction.

Types of restaurants in Italy 

There are mainly fou different types of restaurants, in Italy:

  1. Ristorante: This is a place where you can expect full service, a touch of gourmet, a professional staff, and higher prices. It’s the place to experience more sophisticated food. The atmosphere should also be more sophisticated.

  2. Trattoria: Less pricey and less formal than a restaurant, a trattoria is usually a family-owned business. It’s the place to enjoy traditional and comforting Italian food. The atmosphere is usually rustic.

  3. Pizzeria: In Italy, a pizzeria works just like any other restaurant. You make a reservation for a table and then order from the menu. Often, antipasti are also served.

  4. Rosticceria (mainly in the South of Italy): This is an informal takeaway place with few or no tables, where Italians love to buy ready-to-eat comfort fried food such as arancini, calzoni, mozzarelle in carrozza, and the likes.

Reserving a table on the phone (Prenotare un tavolo al telefono)

Vorrei prenotare un tavolo per… – I would like to book at table for…

  • domani sera alle 19 – tomorrow night at 7 pm

  • domani a mezzogiorno  – tomorrow at midday

  • domani alle 13  – tomorrow at 1 pm 

  • il 27 aprile alle 20

The person on the other end of the phone might also ask you:

  • Per quante persone? – for how many people? 
  • Mi lascia un recapito telefonico? – can you leve with me your phone number?
  • Il suo nome per favore? – your name, please

 At the restaurant (al ristorante) 

  • Posso avere il menù? –  Can I have the menu? 
  • Posso vedere il menù? –  Can I see the menu? 
  • Potrei avere la carta dei vini? –  Could I have the wine list?
  • Potrei avere il menù dei dolci?  – Could I have the dessert menu?
  • Avete un menù per bambini? –  Do you have a children’s menu?
  • Avete un menù del giorno? –  Do you have a daily menu?
  • Qual è il piatto del giorno? –  What is the dish of the day?
  • Sul menù c’è ‘un antipasto della casa’, che cos’è? – On the menu I read ‘Antipasto della casa’, what is it?

Ordinare (Ordering) 

Per me / Prendo / Vorrei… (I’ll have)

Per cominciare, prendo… (to start with, I’ll have)

Come antipasto, prendo… (as a starters, I’ll have)

Come primo, prendo… (as first course, I’ll have)

Come secondo, prendo… (as first course, I’ll have)

  • Una porzione di… (a portion of)
  • Un piatto di.. (a dish of)
  • Una fetta di.. (a slice of)
  • Un pezzo di.. (a piece of)

How to order meat in Italian 

If the waiter asks you “Come preferisce la cottura della carne,”? (How would you like your meat cooked?), you should answer like this:

  • (carne) al sangue – rare meat
  • (carne) poco cotta  – medium rare
  • (carne) ben cotta  – well-done meat

Asking questions to the waiters 

Scusi, mi può portare (del pane? Una bottiglia d’acqua? Dell’olio? ) – Excuse-me, could I have some…(bread? A bottle of water? Some olive oil?)

Cosa mi consiglia? – What would you recommend me? 

Cosa ci consigliate? – What would you recommend us? 

Sono allergico (or allergica) – I am allergic..

  • ai latticini – to dairy products 
  • al glutine – gluten 

Sono vegetariano – I am a vegetarian 

Sono vegano – I am a vegan

Non mangio carne di maiale  – I don’t eat pork

Questions a waiter might ask you 

  • Siete pronti per ordinare? – Are you ready to order?
  • Avete già prenotato? – Have you reserved a table?
  • Posso portarvi da bere? – Can I get you something to drink?
  • L’acqua gasata o naturale? – The water sparkling or still?
  • Ha qualche allergia/intolleranza? – Do you have any allergies/intolerances?

Complaints (lamentele)

  • La pizza è bruciata – the pizza is burned
  • L’insalata è scondita – the salad is undressed
  • La zuppa è fredda – the salad is cold
  • La pasta è fredda – the pasta is cold
  • C’è ancora molto da aspettare? – is our food long?
  • Stiamo aspettando da troppo tempo – we are waiting too long

Pagare e il conto (paying and the bill)

Il conto, per favore – The bill, please

Paga in contanti o con carta? – Do you pay cash or by card?

Pagate insieme o separatamente? – Do you pay all together or separately?

Posso pagare con carta di credito? – Can I pay by credit card?

Dividiamo il conto  – Les’s split it

Cosa che potresti sentire in un ristorante 
  • Posso offrirle un caffè o un amaro? – Can I buy you an espresso or a liquor?
  • Il pranzo /la cena è di vostro gradimento? – Did you like the meal?
  • Tutto apposto? – Was everything alright?
  • Vuole qualcos’altro? No grazie – Do you want anything else?


The Italian Modal Verbs Explained for Beginners

The Italian Modal Verbs Explained for Beginners

What’s the Difference Between the Italian Modal Verbs and Other Types of Verbs?

When your teacher (or your book) is telling you “this is a modal verb,” there’s no need to panic!  Saying a verb a is “modal” is just a label to remind you that, in Italian, there are three (modal) verbs that have a lot in common and are kind of different from the other verbs.

Voglio – I want

Posso – I can

Devo – I have to, I need, I must

What do they have in common? Simple. They are followed by infinitive verbs (e.g. non conjugated verbs) 

An infinitive verb is a base form of any verb, the way you look it up in a dictionary.

So, we can say that modal verbs are always followed by infinitive verbs. 

  • Voglio vivere in Italia – I want to live in Italy
  • Posso aprire la porta? – Can I open the window?
  • Devo andare – I must go or I need to go or I have to go  

A common mistake made by beginner Italian learners is to use a conjugated verb after a modal verb, such as in the incorrect phrase “Voglio vado = I want I go,” which should be corrected to “Voglio andare”. The correct way to say  “I want to go” in Italian, is by using the infinitive form of the verb “andare” after the modal verb “voglio”.

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How to Conjugate an Volere / Potere / Dovere  in the Present Tense?

The Italian modal verbs dovere, potere, and volere express necessity, possibility, and desire, respectively. They are also used to request permission, make requests, and offer assistance. Modal verbs are always followed by an infinitive and are irregular, so they need to be memorized. Since they are high-frequency verbs, it’s crucial to know their conjugations.

Conjugation of the modal verbs in the present tense 

Edit
VOLERE (want, wish) POTERE (can, may) DOVERE (need, have to, must)
io voglio
tu vuoi
lui/lei vuole
noi vogliamo
voi volete
loro vogliono		 io posso
tu puoi
lui/lei può
noi possiamo
voi potete
loro possono		 io devo
tu devi
lui/lei deve
noi dobbiamo
voi dovete
loro devono

Examples:

  • Voglio andare al supermercato (modal verb + infinitive + object) – I want to go to the grocery store.
  • Devo comprare della cioccolata (modal verb + infinitive + object) – I need to buy some chocolate.
  • Non posso aspettarti (modal verb + infinitive ) –  I can’t wait for you.

Let’s see now how to use the Italian modal verbs in-depth…

How to Use the Verb “Dovere”

Dovere + infinitive:  must, to have to, to need to 

  • Devo andare in palestra – I must (need, have to) go to the gym.

Dovere is a common Italian verb that has three possible translations into English:

  • I must
  • I have to
  • I need to
English vs. Italian 

In English, “I must” and “I need to” have different meanings. However, Italian does not make this distinction. To express the obligation implied by “must” in English, the only option in Italian is to pronounce “devo” more emphatically.

  • Devo studiare – I need to study
  • DEVO studiare – I must study

So, remember that there’s no formal difference between “I must,” “I need,” and “I have to” in Italian. They can all be translated with the verb dovere.

Dovere can also be used as a non-modal verb with a different meaning than its modal form. When used as a non-modal verb, “dovere” is followed by a noun instead of an infinitive verb. In this case, “dovere” means “to owe”

Dovere + noun: to owe 

  • Ti devo 5 euro per la piazza – I owe you 5 euros for the pizza

How to Use the Verb “Potere” 

Potere means “can or may” when asking for permission or being allowed (or not allowed) to do something.

  • Posso uscire un momento? – Can I leave for a second?
  • I bambini non possono guardare la tv di sera tardi – Children are not allowed to watch TV late.
English vs. Italian [sapere vs. potere]

Potere does not express the ability to do something, as it does in English. 

To express the ability to do something in Italian, you should use the verb “sapere” which means “to know how to” or “to be able to”.

Examples: 

  • Io posso parlare italiano means “I am allowed to speak Italian” or “I might be able to speak Italian”.
  • Io so parlare italiano means “I can speak Italian” or “I know how to speak Italian.”
  • Posso cantare means “I’m allowed to sing”.
  • So cantare means “I can sing” or “I know how to sing”.

Avoid the common mistake of using potere in these types of sentences. If you ask someone “puoi cucinare?” – you are actually requesting him or her to cook.

  • Puoi cucinare? – Will you cook? (I want you to cook) 
  • Sai cucinare? – Can you cook? (Do you know how to cook?)

How to Use the Verb “VOLERE”

Volere: to want, to wish

  • Voglio mangiare giapponese – I want  to eat Japanese
  • Voglio il sushi e la tempura – I want sushi and tempura

The Modal Verbs with the Passato Prossimo

Conjugating modal verbs with the passato prossimo (and other compound tenses*) needs a special construction.

A compound tense is a verb resulting from the combination of an auxiliary verb and a past participle (e.g. past conditional, compound future, past perfect, etc..)

How to Conjugate an VOLERE / POTERE / DOVERE  in Passato Prossimo?

If you have already learned the passato prossimo (the main past tense in Italian), you know that it’s a combination of an auxiliary and a past participle (e.g. ho parlato = I spoke, I’ve spoken).

But, what’s the correct auxiliary to use with modal verbs in the passato prossimo? 

When using a modal verb in the past tense, the correct auxiliary to use depends on the main verb that follows the modal verb. In general, both “essere” and “avere” can be used as auxiliary verbs with modal verbs in the passato prossimo.

The auxiliary verb used depends on the main verb that follows the modal verb.

If the main verb is transitive and takes a direct object, such as “mangiare” (to eat), the auxiliary verb used will be “avere”. If the main verb is intransitive and does not take a direct object, such as “andare” (to go), the auxiliary verb used will be “essere”.


For example: 

If you want to say in Italian – I wanted to eat, you need to chose the correct auxiliary of the verb “mangiare = to eat“, which is avere.

So, I wanted to eat goes to “ho voluto mangiare”

However, if you wanted to say – I wanted to go, you’d need to choose the correct auxiliary of the verb “andare = to go“, which is essere.

  • Sono voluta andare  – I wanted to go

The same rule applies for dovere and potere, of course. For example: 

  1. Ho dovuto preparare la cena – I had to prepare the dinner. 
  2. Sono dovuta andare in aeroporto in autobus – I had to go to the airport by bus.
  3. Non ho potuto preparare la cena – I could not prepare dinner.
  4. Non sono potuta andare a pranzo – I could not go to the lunch.

In the above examples, “preparare” is transitive and thus uses “avere” as its auxiliary in the passato prossimo, while “andare” is intransitive and takes “essere” as its auxiliary in the passato prossimo.

Note that when the auxiliary verb preceding the modal verb is essere, the past participle of the modal verb agrees in gender and number with the subject of the sentence.

  • Sono dovuta andare via – I had to leave  (dovuta, feminine singular).
  • Ci siamo alzati tardi – we got up late  (alzati, masculine plural)
  • Non siamo potuti venire – we could not come (potuti, masculine plural)

How to Use the Modal Verbs with the Pronouns 

This is more advanced topic, if you are a beginner Italian learner, you can skip it for now. 
 
Modal verbs in Italian allow for the position of pronouns to be flexible. In Italian, a pronoun usually comes before the verb, unlike in English where it comes after. However, with modal verbs, the pronoun can come before the modal verb or after the infinitive verb that follows the modal verb.  For example:
  • Voglio comprarlo – I want to buy it [pronoun attached onto the infinitive]
  • Lo voglio comprare –  I want to buy it [pronoun before the modal verb]

Both structures are interchangeable and commonly used in spoken Italian.

If you don’t understand well the idea of pronouns in Italian, I encourage you to visit this page: The Italian Direct Pronouns 

Let’s recap: 

There are three modal verbs in Italian. 

They are volere, potere, and dovere. And we call them modal verbs to remind us that they are different from the majority of other verbs in Italian, because:

  • they are irregular.
  • they are always followed by an infinitive verb.
  • they can use both essere and avere as auxiliaries in compound tenses, like the passato prossimo 
  • when they come in conjunction with a pronoun, the pronoun can either precede the modal verb or be joined onto the end of the infinite that follow the modal verb. 

The imperfetto of modals verbs 

If this is easy for you, you might be interested in learning about the difference of usage of the modal verbs between the passato prossimo and the imperfetto.

What’s The Difference Between “Dovevo & Ho Dovuto?”


The Possessive Adjectives in Italian

What Are Possessive Adjectives in Italian?

The possessive adjectives are those words that translate from the English: “my, your, her, his, our, their”. They denote ownership between two objects.

For example,

  • La mia cassa → my house
  • Il suo cane → his dog
  • Il nostro lavoro → our job 

In Italian, a possessive adjective in always used before a noun and preceded by a definite article, as in the examples given above. Because they are adjectives, it’s important to remember that you’ll need to modify them according to the gender and number of the noun they are preceding. 

For example,

The Italian possessive “Mio” becomes

  • Mia in front of a singular feminine noun [la mia casa] 
  • Miei in front of plural masculine nouns [i miei amici]
  • Mie in front of plural feminine nouns [le mie amiche]
Edit
Masc. Sing. Fem. Sing. Masc. Plur. Fem. Plur.
il mio la mia i miei le mie
il tuo la tua i tuoi le tue
il suo la sua i suoi le sue
il nostro la nostra i nostri le nostre
il vostro la vostra i vostri le vostre
il loro la loro i loro le loro
 

In short, unlike English, “my” has four different forms and is always preceded by a definite article.

Italian vs. English 

#1 The use of the articles 

The Italian possessive adjectives are always accompanied by articles (except in some cases, which I will touch upon below). In English, instead, they are never used with articles.

For example

  • La mia borsa – my bag
  • Il nostro libro – our book
  • La sua ragazza – his girlfriend 
  • Il suo gatto – her cat

#2 The us of his/her 

Another significant difference between English and Italian is that the Italian possessive adjectives must agree in gender and number with the object which is “owned” and not with “the owner”.  

For example, let’s assume Maria has a dog. In English, we would refer to it as, her dog.” We would use “her” in reference to Maria. In Italian, however, we would say “il suo cane” (rather than “la sua cane”).

Why?

Because, in Italian, the possessive adjectives have to match the object that is “owned” and not the “owner.”

In the above example, “suo” refers to the dog and not to Maria; hence, it is masculine, because the word “cane”, in Italian, is masculine.

Il suo cane could both mean his or her dog in English.

Il suo amico could both mean his or her friend in English.

 

The Italian Possessive Adjectives With Family Members 

The possessive adjectives must always be preceded by an article, as was previously mentioned, with one major exception. 

The use of possessive adjectives with family members.

The article is omitted when referring to family members in the singular (such as madre, padre, sorella, zio, cugino, etc.). No wonder, this is one of the most recurring mistakes Italian learners make.

Examples,

  • Mia madre – my mother
  • Mia moglie – my wife
  • Mio marito  – my husband 
  • Mio padre – my father
  • Mia sorella – my sister
  • Mio fratello – my brother 
  • Mio zio – my uncle 
  • Mio cugino – my cousin 
  • Mio nonno – my grandfather 
  • Mia nonna – my grandmother 
  • Mio cognato – my brother-in-law

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Nevertheless, the article is always used:

#1 When referring to more than one relative

  • Le mie sorelle – my sisters 
  • I suoi fratelli – her/his brothers 
  • I miei cugini – my cousins 
  • I nostri zii – our uncles
  • I loro nonni – their grandparents 

#2 When an adjective is used to describe the relative

  • La mia amata madre – my beloved mother
  • Il mio caro padre – my dear father
  • Il mio carissimo zio – my beloved uncle

3# With the possessive adjective loro:

  • La loro madre – their mother
  • Il loro padre – their father
  • Le loro sorelle – their sisters

Remember that the possessive “loro” is always the same and that the article before it determines the gender and number.

  • Il loro amico – their friend (m.)
  • La loro amica – their friend (f.)
  • I loro amici  – their friends 

Interesting uses of the possessive adjectives 

(If you’re a beginner or intermediate Italian learner, you can skip this for now)

The Italian possessive adjective is always placed before the noun. However, in some cases, when it follows the noun, it is used to emphasize or stress the emotional meaning of the sentence.

  • Mamma mia!
  • Questa è casa mia! – 

In certain idiomatic expressions, the possessives are used as nouns.

  • I miei – My parents
  • I tuoi – Your parents
  • Alla nostra! – Cheers

Finally, when the possessive is used as a pronoun (not attached to a noun, but replacing a noun), the articles are often omitted.

  • Di chi è questa borsa? E’ mia / Whose bag is this? It’s mine
  • Di chi è questa casa? E’ sua / Whose house is this? It’s hers

Also note that in Italian, the possessive adjectives and pronouns have the same identical form. Italian does not make the difference between “my” and “mine” (mio/a/i/e) or “our” and “ours” (nostro/a/i/e).

 For example,

  • It’s mine = è mio
  • It’s hers = suo
  • It’s our = è nostro
  • It’s theirs = è loro

Exercice


How to use the verb mettersi

How to use the verb METTERSI

Mettersi is an Italian verb that non-native speakers may struggle with. It is, nevertheless, commonly used in everyday Italian, and you may want to learn how to use it. 

First of all, you might be familiar with mettere, which simply means to put. Well, mettersi, the reflexive version of mettere, is a whole different verb with a number of different meanings. 

Before learning the meaning of this peculiar verb, let’s have a look at the conjugation of the verb in presente and passato prossimo of this reflexive verb.

 Present Tense 

  • mi metto 
  • ti metti 
  • si mette
  • ci mettiamo
  • vi mettete
  • si mettono

Passato prossimo (past tense)

  • mi sono messo/a
  • ti sei messo/a
  • si è messo/a
  • ci siamo messi/e
  • vi siete messi/e
  • si sono messi/e
Now, let’s dive into the most common meanings of mettersi.
 

To put on/to wear

Mettersi is to put on or wear something in its most basic sense. 

  • Mi metto sciarpa e cappello – I’m wearing a scarf and a hat 
  • Ti metti una gonna o un vestito per la cerimonia? – Are you putting on a skirt or a dress for the reception?
  • Luca si mette gli occhiali da sole anche in inverno – Luca is wearing shades even in the winter

To start doing something 

Mettersi is also commonly used with the pattern mettersi a + infinitive verb. Mettersi indicates to begin doing something in this context. It’s very common in spoken and informal Italian.

  • Domani mi metto a dieta – Tomorrow I am starting a diet
  • Devo mettermi a pulire la casa – I need to start cleaning up 
  • Mettiamoci a lavoro – let’s get down to business

Sometimes we can use mettersi in the context of taking up a new hobby or starting a new interest, for example

  • Patrizia si è messa a studiare russo – Patrizia took up Russian
  • MI sono messa a fare yoga – I took up yoga 

To stay/to stand 

Mettersi is a colloquial Italian word that implies to stay or stand.

For example, 

  • Mettiti seduto – stay sit
  • Mettiti qui – stay here
  • Mettiti in piedi – stay still

(all the forgoing sentences are in the imperative form) 

Turning out well (or badly)

Mettersi can also be used to say that things are turning out well or badly for you in the expressions mettersi bene per and bettersi male per.

  • Le cose si mettono bene per Franco, ha appena ricevuto una bella promozione a lavoro – Things are turning out well for Franco, he’s just got a promotion at work.
  • Le cose si mettono male per Federica, ha perso il lavoro e ha finito i soldi – Things are turning out badly for Federica, she lost her job and ran out of money.
Common idiomatic expressions with mettersi

In addition, the verb mettersi appears in a number of idiomatic expressions. 

The following are the most well-known: 

  • Mettersi in proprio: to set up one’s own business
  • Mettersi a letto: to go to bed
  • Mettersi in agitazione : to get worked up
  • Mettersi all’opera : to get down to business 
  • Mettersi da parte: to back away, to set oneself aside
  • Mettersi d’accordo su/con: to agree on/with
  • Mettersi in cattiva luce : to appear in a bad light
  • Mettersi in guardia: to take one’s guard
  • Mettersi insieme: to start having a love affair
  • Mettersi in malattia: to go on a sick leave
  • Mettersi l’anima in pace: to send one’s mind at rest
  • Mettersi nei panni di qualcuno: to put oneself in somebody else’s shoes
  • Mettersi nei guai: to get into troubles
  • Mettersi in contatto con qualcuno: to reach/contact someone

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