Walking into a café in Rome and knowing how to order a coffee in Italian makes the whole trip feel different. This guide covers the phrases you’ll actually use, the safe-travel wishes locals say, and even why flicking your chin might be the most honest thing you say all day. By the end, you’ll have a printable phrase pack and the cultural context to use it right.

4 related posts

Over 60 million tourists visit Italy annually: UNWTO (United Nations World Tourism Organization) ·
Italian spoken by more than 67 million in EU: Eurostat (EU statistics office) ·
Only 34% of Italians speak fluent English: Eurobarometer 2023 (EU survey) ·
Common greeting “Ciao” used in 70% of informal interactions: Duolingo blog (language learning platform)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
4What’s next

Four key facts show the scale of travel and language barriers: over 60 million tourists arrive annually, yet only 34% of Italians speak fluent English. That gap makes even a handful of Italian phrases a huge advantage.

Fact Value
European travelers per year Over 60 million (UNWTO)
Italians speaking English 34% (Eurobarometer 2023)
“Buon viaggio” usage Most common safe travel phrase (Preply)
Chin flick meaning Non mi importa (I don’t care) (Wikipedia)

What Do Italians Say for Safe Travels?

Safe travels in Italian: formal and informal versions

  • Buon viaggio – “Good trip,” the standard safe travel wish (Preply)
  • Viaggio sicuro – “Safe travels,” a more literal option (Go Ahead Tours)
  • In bocca al lupo – “Into the wolf’s mouth,” used for luck before a trip (Wikipedia)
The trade-off

Using “in bocca al lupo” shows you know local idioms, but it requires the reply “crepi il lupo” (may the wolf die) — so practice both sides before you try it.

Responding to safe travel wishes

  • To “Buon viaggio,” reply Grazie, altrettanto (Thanks, same to you).
  • To “In bocca al lupo,” reply Crepi il lupo (May the wolf die). (AEF Firenze)

The implication: safe travel wishes are deeply cultural. Sticking with “Buon viaggio” is always safe, but the wolf phrase marks you as someone who did their homework.

What Are Some Common Italian Travel Phrases?

Greetings and politeness

  • Buongiorno – Good morning / good day (used until early afternoon) (Preply)
  • Buonasera – Good evening (after 4pm) (Preply)
  • Per favore – Please (Preply)
  • Grazie – Thank you (Preply)
  • Prego – You’re welcome / please go ahead (Preply)

Ordering at a restaurant

  • Un caffè, per favore – A coffee, please.
  • Il conto, per favore – The bill, please.
  • Vorrei – I would like (polite form). (AEF Firenze)

Asking for directions

  • Dov’è il bagno? – Where is the bathroom?
  • Dov’è la stazione? – Where is the station?
  • Gira a destra/sinistra – Turn right/left. (Go Ahead Tours)
Why this matters

AEF Firenze notes that many Italians value personal connection over transaction. Starting with “Buongiorno” before asking a question can change the entire tone of the interaction.

The pattern: the same polite openers work in restaurants, shops, and on the street. Lead with “Buongiorno” or “Buonasera” and you’re already ahead of the average tourist.

By mastering these basic phrases, travelers can significantly improve interactions in Italy, moving from transactional to personal connections.

How to Say Hello in Italian

Formal greetings for travelers

  • Buongiorno – Good morning, used until about 2pm (Preply)
  • Buonasera – Good evening, after 4pm (Preply)
  • Salve – Semi-formal hello, works anytime (Go Ahead Tours)

Informal greetings like ciao

  • Ciao – Hi / Bye, only with friends and peers (Preply)
  • Arrivederci – Formal goodbye (Go Ahead Tours)

Time-based greetings

  • Buonanotte – Good night (used when leaving at night) (Preply)
  • Buon pomeriggio – Good afternoon (less common, but understood).
The catch

Using “ciao” with a hotel concierge or older shopkeeper can come across as rude. Reserve it for people your age or friends, and you’ll avoid the most common greeting mistake.

What this means: time of day dictates which greeting to use. A quick glance at your phone tells you whether it’s time for “buongiorno” or “buonasera.”

Do Italians Say “Va Bene”?

Alternatives to OK in Italian

  • Va bene – It’s fine / OK, used constantly in conversation (AEF Firenze)
  • Ok – Also used, especially among younger people, but less frequent than “va bene”.
  • D’accordo – Agreed, more formal.

When to use va bene vs okay

  • Use “va bene” in shops, restaurants, and with people you don’t know well.
  • “Ok” is fine with friends and in casual digital messages. (Go Ahead Tours)

Gestures replacing words

  • Italians often accompany “va bene” with a hand purse gesture (fingers gathered, pointing upward) to mean “What do you mean?” or “What’s going on?” (Wikipedia)
  • The chin flick (back of fingers flicking outward) means “non mi importa” — I don’t care.
What to watch

The hand purse gesture, when combined with “va bene,” can be interpreted as mild frustration. If you’re a foreigner, stick to the spoken phrase and skip the gesture to avoid misunderstanding.

The trade-off: “va bene” is your safest bet in any situation where you’d say OK. But be aware that gestures can change the meaning entirely — the same gesture that means approval in the US might mean “what?” in Italy.

What Does Flicking Your Chin Mean in Italian?

Meaning of chin flick gesture

  • Non mi importa – I don’t care. The chin flick is a backhanded flick under the chin outward. (Wikipedia)
  • It can also express “I don’t know” or disinterest depending on context.

Gesticulation cultural context

  • Italians are known for animated hand gestures; AEF Firenze notes that non-verbal cues play a significant role in communication (AEF Firenze)
  • Common gestures include the hand purse, the fingertips kiss (for perfection), and the chin flick.
  • Regional variations exist, but the chin flick is widely recognized across Italy.

“Non-verbal cues play a significant role in communication in Italy; Italians are known for animated gestures, including hand gestures, facial expressions, and body language.”

AEF Firenze (Italian language school)

“Ciao is the informal greeting and farewell; buongiorno is used as a formal greeting until early afternoon, and buonasera in the evening.”

Preply (language learning platform)

The upshot

For a traveler, the chin flick is more useful to recognize than to perform. If someone does it to you, they’re signaling indifference — best to move on rather than escalate.

The pattern: Italian gestures are not just decoration — they carry specific meanings. Learning to read them helps you understand the real message behind the words.

Summary

Mastering a dozen Italian phrases can transform your travel experience, especially when only 34% of locals speak fluent English. For the traveler headed to Italy, the smartest move is to practice your greetings first, learn “Buon viaggio” for departures, and treat hand gestures as a bonus language. The choice is simple: arrive with a few phrases and a smile, or rely on English and miss the deeper connection that makes Italian travel memorable.

How to Practice Italian Phrases Before Your Trip

  1. Learn basic greetings like “Buongiorno” and “Per favore” – recommended by AEF Firenze.
  2. Practice ordering food and asking for directions using phrases from this guide.
  3. Learn safe travel wishes like “Buon viaggio” – see Preply.
  4. Practice pronunciation – use apps or repeat aloud.
  5. Familiarize yourself with common gestures to avoid misunderstandings – see Wikipedia.
Additional sources

facebook.com, trafalgar.com, citywonders.com, youtube.com, ricksteves.com

For a more complete set of travel phrases, your Italy travel companion is a great resource to have on hand.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the best response to ‘buon viaggio’?

The most common reply is “Grazie, altrettanto” (Thanks, same to you). If you’re not traveling, you can say “Grazie, molto gentile” (Thanks, very kind).

Is it rude to use ‘ciao’ with strangers?

Yes, it can be. “Ciao” is reserved for friends, family, and peers. Use “buongiorno” or “salve” with people you don’t know, especially older adults or professionals.

How do you pronounce ‘grazie’?

It’s pronounced GRAHT-see-eh. The “z” is a soft “ts” sound, and the final “e” is pronounced.

What does ‘prego’ mean in a travel context?

“Prego” can mean “you’re welcome,” “please go ahead,” or “how can I help you?” depending on the context. It’s one of the most versatile polite words in Italian.

Can I use English in Italy?

In major tourist cities, many hotel and restaurant staff speak basic English. But in smaller towns and rural areas, English is less common. Knowing a few Italian phrases makes a big difference.

What is the Italian word for ‘traveler’?

The word is “viaggiatore” (male) or “viaggiatrice” (female). It’s not commonly used in everyday conversation; you’ll hear “turista” more often.

How do you say ‘excuse me’ in Italian?

Use “mi scusi” (formal) or “scusa” (informal) to get someone’s attention or apologize. For “excuse me” when passing through a crowd, say “permesso.”