Italy is best known as a holiday destination. With its 7.500 kilometres of coast (much of which consists of beaches), majestic mountains, amazing cities, and stunning countryside, it’s by definition a place to spend some time doing nothing but enjoying it all. And let’s not start talking about the food and wine!

Well, for some people all of these are also good reasons to move to Italy and start a new life there. Especially if they also have an Italian significant other. But how can you work in Italy as a foreigner? Where should you start looking for a job?

Here on ItalianPod101, we’ll explain how to move to Italy and get a job. So, if you’re planning to start your own Dolce Vita, just keep on reading to learn about finding jobs in Italy.

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Table of Contents

1. What Do I Need to Work in Italy?
2. What You Should Know Before Starting to Work in Italy
3. What are the Most Sought-after Jobs in Italy?
4. Where Can I Find the Best Job Opportunities?
5. How to Look for a Job in Italy
6. Some More Advice
7. ItalianPod101: Learn with Us and Build Your New Life in Italy!

1. What Do I Need to Work in Italy?

In order to work in Italy as a foreigner, you must act according to the Italian immigration laws, which vary depending on your nationality:

• EU citizens: EU citizens have very few requirements in order to find a job in Italy and start their life there.
• Non-EU citizens: For non-EU citizens, things are harder, since they need a work permit.

In both cases, since many Italians, especially the older ones, don’t speak English or any other language except their own (and maybe a dialect), it’s better for you to learn Italian, at least to an intermediate level, before starting to look for a job there. Highly specialized jobs in a few scientific and engineering fields may be an exception, as English might be accepted as a language in the workplace.

1- How to Work in Italy as a EU Citizen

All EU citizens have the right to free movement within all the EU countries, which are: Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, United Kingdom, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain, Czech Republic, Sweden.

This means that EU citizens have the right to move and to work in Italy without a special permit. Though they still need to deal with a bit of bureaucracy. In order to be hired in Italy, they need:

• A valid ID document (passport or identity card).
• A codice fiscale (“fiscal code”), which is a unique identifier based on full name, place of birth, and birthday. It’s used for a great number of things, from submitting a residency request to getting a library card. Requesting this codice fiscale is pretty simple, especially compared to any other bureaucratic operation in Italy and—good news!—it’s also completely free.

You just have to go to your local Agenzia delle Entrate and issue a request. You’ll immediately receive your code. There are even sites where you can calculate your fiscal code in advance, in case you’re curious.

EU citizens have the right to free movement, as we said, but they still need to apply for residency in Italy if they plan to live in the country for more than three months.

2- How to Work in Italy as a Non-EU Citizen

Things get harsher for non-EU citizens. This said, working in Italy as an American is a lot easier than working there as a person from Asia or Africa, due to the different ways non-EU immigrants are generally treated, according to their nationality.

Anyway, this is what they all need:

• Visa: A Visa is issued for a specific purpose and therefore there are different kinds—tourist visa, student visa, employment visa, and so on. It has an expiry date and it establishes for how long you’ll be allowed to stay in the country. If you have a visa for the Schengen area, you don’t need another one to enter Italy.
• Residence permit (permesso di soggiorno): Within eight days of entering Italy, you must apply for a residence permit, which is the most important document for a non-EU citizen in Italy. The permit will reflect your visa (so you’ll receive a student permit if you have a student visa, an employment permit if you have an employment visa, and so on) and must be requested to the local Police Headquarters (Questura).

Depending on the kind of permit you need, you have to make a request at the post office or directly at the Questura. Since the matter is complicated, we advise you to seek out more information at a local union office or association. The times for the release of the residence permit can vary greatly, from a few weeks to several months. In the meantime, you must keep the receipt they give you.

2. What You Should Know Before Starting to Work in Italy

Italy’s one of the most developed countries in the world. However, it’s facing a hard economic crisis that’s still far from being resolved. This means that it has a less-vital job market in comparison to other EU countries and a higher unemployment rate (which is 9.7% as of summer 2018). Moreover, undeclared employment is pretty common, regarding at least 3.3-million workers in Italy.

The Italian laws grant equal rights for every person in the job market. There are many different kinds of contracts that an employer can offer you. These are the most used:

• Permanent contract (contratto a tempo indeterminato): A contract without an expiry date. It can be part-time or full-time.
• Fixed-term contract (contratto a tempo determinato): A contract with an expiry date, after which it can be renewed or not, according to the employer’s and the employee’s will. It can be part-time or full-time.
• Interim supply contract (contratto di somministrazione): A contract made between the worker and an agency (agenzia interinale) supplying workers to companies for a short period of time.
• On-call contract (contratto a chiamata): A contract without a fixed number of hours. The employer can request the employee to work according to the company needs with short notice.
• Apprenticeship contract (contratto di apprendistato): If you’re younger than 29 years old, you can be hired as an apprentice to learn a job. This kind of contract usually lasts between six months and three years.

3. What are the Most Sought-after Jobs in Italy?

Is it hard to find a job in Italy?

If you have highly valued skills and a good knowledge of Italian and English, you probably won’t have any issue finding a job in Italy.

For example, it’s pretty easy to find marketing jobs in Italy if you have experience in this field. It’s the same for engineering, IT, management, and so on. You’ll also find good opportunities if you’re a qualified factory worker. For example, there are many jobs in Modena, Italy if you have skills and experience that can be useful in the mechanic industry.

Jobs in Italy for English speakers include language teachers, interpreters, or jobs in the tourism industry. There can also be good jobs for Americans in Italy in companies working with American clients or seeking to expand in the USA.

4. Where Can I Find the Best Job Opportunities?

There is a strong wealth gap between Northern and Southern Italy. So, if you’re willing to work in industry, marketing, fashion, IT, technology, and so on, you’ll probably have better chances of finding good jobs in Milan, and in the North in general. You can also happen to find IT jobs in Rome, Italy, but the real economic capital of the country is Milan.

Jobs in Rome are mostly in the tourism field, or in anything related to university and the public administration. It’s pretty much the same for jobs in Florence, Italy, except for the fact that in Tuscany there is also a strong and lively textile industry. Jobs in Calabria, Italy or in basically any other Southern region are harder to find.

That said, what’s the best way to find jobs in Italy?

5. How to Look for a Job in Italy

There are many ways to look for a job in Italy:

• Sites: Indeed Italia, LinkedIn, Infojobs, Trovalavoro, and others can be useful for finding job offers.
• Agencies: The aforementioned agenzie interinali (“supply agencies”) can be a good way to find temporary jobs, especially in fields such as manufacturing, tourism, and food.
• Centro per l’impiego: The public job center. It can help you have an idea of the opportunities in your city and province.
• Relations: This is by far the best way to find a job in Italy. Try to meet new people working in your field, by going to expos, congresses, and so on.

6. Some More Advice

1- How to Work as a Language Teacher in Italy

Wondering how to find a job in Italy for English speakers? Being a language teacher is among the most common jobs in Italy for American citizens, or for people from the UK and Australia. As for how to find a job teaching English in Italy, you can start by introducing yourself to language schools and universities, or place some ads on message boards by universities and schools, or put yourself out there online.

2- How to Work as a Blue-collar in Italy

To work as a blue-collar, you’ll need to know the Italian grammar and written language. Moreover, it could take some time to get used to the Italian bureaucracy.

3- How to Work in the Healthcare Field in Italy

In order to work in the healthcare field in Italy, you must have a recognized degree or diploma, and know the Italian medical terms.

7. ItalianPod101: Learn with Us and Build Your New Life in Italy!

Start building the foundation of your new life in Italy with ItalianPod101.com! Learn the Italian language according to your current level and improve everyday, in a fun, engaging platform that will both teach and entertain you. Discuss with the other members of our community on our forum and learn everywhere you are with our amazing mobile apps! Finally, you can find out everything you need about working and living in Italy with our articles and guides!

Do you often feel lonely and sad? Do you long for romance and are willing to do whatever it takes to meet that special person? Speaking another language could revolutionize your love life! So, why wait? Learning how to say ‘love’ in Italian could be just what you need to find it.

Or perhaps you were lucky, and have found your Italian partner already. Fantastic! Yet, a cross-cultural relationship comes with unique challenges. Learning how to speak your lover’s language will greatly improve your communication and enhance the relationship. At ItalianPod101, our team will teach you all the words, quotes and phrases you need to woo your Italian lover with excellence! Our tutors provide personal assistance, with plenty of extra material available to make Italian dating easy for you.

Table of Contents

1. Common Phrases You’ll Need for a Date
2. The Most Romantic Ideas for a Date
3. Must-know Valentine’s Day Vocabulary
4. Italian Love Phrases for Valentine’s Day
5. Italian Quotes about Love
6. Marriage Proposal Lines
7. 15 Most Common Break-Up Lines
8. Will Falling in Love Help You Learn Italian Faster?

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1. Common Phrases You’ll Need for a Date

So, you have met your Italian love interest. Congratulations! Who knows where this could take you…?! However, the two of you have just met and you’re not ready to say the Italian word for love just yet. Great, it is better to get to know him/her first. Wow your prospective love by using these Italian date phrases to set up a spectacular first date.

Would you like to go out to dinner with me?

• Ti piacerebbe andare a cena con me?

The important question! In most cultures, this phrase indicates: ‘I’m romantically interested in you’. Flirting in Italian is no different, so don’t take your date to Mcdonald’s!

Are you free this weekend?

• Sei libero questo fine settimana?

This is a preamble to asking your love interest on a date. If you get an immediate ‘Yes’, that’s good news!

Would you like to hang out with me?

• Vuoi uscire con me?

You like her/him, but you’re not sure if there’s chemistry. Ask them to hang out first to see if a dinner date is next.

What time shall we meet tomorrow?

• A che ora ci vediamo domani?

Set a time, and be sure to arrive early! Nothing spoils a potential relationship more than a tardy date.

Where shall we meet?

• Dove ci vediamo?

You can ask this, but also suggest a place.

You look great.

• Stai benissimo.

A wonderful ice breaker! This phrase will help them relax a bit – they probably took great care to look their best just for you.

You are so cute.

• Sei così carino.

If the two of you are getting on really well, this is a fun, flirtatious phrase to use.

What do you think of this place?

• Cosa ne pensi di questo posto?

This another good conversation starter. Show off your Italian language skills!

Can I see you again?

• Posso vederti ancora?

So the date went really well – don’t waste time! Make sure you will see each other again.

Shall we go somewhere else?

• Vogliamo andare da qualche altra parte?

If the place you meet at is not great, you can suggest going elsewhere. It is also a good question to follow the previous one. Variety is the spice of life!

I know a good place.

• Conosco un bel posto.

Use this with the previous question. However, don’t say if you don’t know a good place!

I will drive you home.

• Ti riaccompagnerò in macchina a casa.

If your date doesn’t have transport, this is a polite, considerate offer. However, don’t be offended if she/he turns you down on the first date. Especially a woman might not feel comfortable letting you drive her home when the two of you are still basically strangers.

That was a great evening.

• E’ stata una serata fantastica.

This is a good phrase to end the evening with.

When can I see you again?

• Quando posso rivederti?

If he/she replied ‘Yes’ to ‘Can I see you again?’, this is the next important question.

I’ll call you.

• Ti chiamerò.

Say this only if you really mean to do it. In many cultures, this could imply that you’re keeping the proverbial backdoor open.

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2. The Most Romantic Ideas for a Date

You learned all the Italian phrases to make a date – congratulations! Now you have to decide where to meet, which can be tricky. Discuss these options with your lover to gauge whether you like the same things. Check out romantic date ideas in Italian below!

museum

• museo

If you’re looking for unique date ideas that are fun but won’t break the bank, museums are the perfect spot! You won’t be running out of things to say in the conversations.

candlelit dinner

• cena a lume di candela

A candlelit dinner is perhaps best to reserve for when the relationship is getting serious. It’s very intimate, and says: “Romance!” It’s a fantastic choice if you’re sure you and your date are in love with each other!

go to the zoo

• andare allo zoo

This is a good choice for shy lovers who want to get the conversation going. Just make sure your date likes zoos, as some people dislike them. Maybe not for the first date, but this is also a great choice if your lover has children – you’ll win his/her adoration for inviting them along!

go for a long walk

• andare a fare una lunga passeggiata

Need to talk about serious stuff, or just want to relax with your date? Walking together is soothing, and a habit you can keep up together always! Just make sure it’s a beautiful walk that’s not too strenuous.

go to the opera

• andare all’opera

This type of date should only be attempted if both of you love the opera. It can be a special treat, followed by a candlelit dinner!

go to the aquarium

• andare all’acquario

Going to the aquarium is another good idea if you need topics for conversation, or if you need to impress your lover’s kids! Make sure your date doesn’t have a problem with aquariums.

walk on the beach

• camminare sulla spiaggia

This can be a very romantic stroll, especially at night! The sea is often associated with romance and beauty.

have a picnic

• fare un picnic

If you and your date need to get more comfortable together, this can be a fantastic date. Spending time in nature is soothing and calms the nerves.

cook a meal together

• preparare da mangiare insieme

If you want to get an idea of your date’s true character in one go, this is an excellent date! You will quickly see if the two of you can work together in a confined space. If it works, it will be fantastic for the relationship and create a sense of intimacy. If not, you will probably part ways!

have dinner and see a movie

• cenare e vedere un film

This is traditional date choice works perfectly well. Just make sure you and your date like the same kind of movies!

3. Must-know Valentine’s Day Vocabulary

Expressing your feelings honestly is very important in any relationship all year round. Yet, on Valentine’s Day you really want to shine. Impress your lover this Valentine’s with your excellent vocabulary, and make his/her day! We teach you, in fun, effective ways, the meanings of the words and how to pronounce them. You can also copy the characters and learn how to write ‘I love you’ in Italian – think how impressed your date will be!

4. Italian Love Phrases for Valentine’s Day

So, you now have the basic Valentine’s Day vocabulary under your belt. Well done! But, do you know how to say ‘I love you’ in Italian yet? Or perhaps you are still only friends. So, do you know how to say ‘I like you’ or ‘I have a crush on you’ in Italian? No? Don’t worry, here are all the love phrases you need to bowl over your Italian love on this special day!

I love you.

• Ti amo.

Saying ‘I love you’ in Italian carries the same weight as in all languages. Use this only if you’re sure and sincere about your feelings for your partner/friend.

You mean so much to me.

• Sei così importante per me.

This is a beautiful expression of gratitude that will enhance any relationship! It makes the receiver feel appreciated and their efforts recognized.

Will you be my Valentine?

• Vuoi essere il mio Valentino?

With these words, you are taking your relationship to the next level! Or, if you have been a couple for a while, it shows that you still feel the romance. So, go for it!

You’re so beautiful.

• Sei così bella.

If you don’t know how to say ‘You’re pretty’ in Italian, this is a good substitute, gentlemen!

I think of you as more than a friend.

• Penso a te come a più di un amico.

Say this if you are not yet sure that your romantic feelings are reciprocated. It is also a safe go-to if you’re unsure about the Italian dating culture.

A hundred hearts would be too few to carry all my love for you.

• Un centinaio di cuori sarebbero troppo pochi per racchiudere tutto il mio amore per te.

You romantic you…! When your heart overflows with love, this would be the best phrase to use.

Love is just love. It can never be explained.

• L’amore è solo amore. Non può mai essere spiegato.

If you fell in love unexpectedly or inexplicably, this one’s for you.

You’re so handsome.

• Sei così bello.

Ladies, this phrase lets your Italian love know how much you appreciate his looks! Don’t be shy to use it; men like compliments too.

I’ve got a crush on you.

• Ho una cotta per te.

If you like someone, but you’re unsure about starting a relationship, it would be prudent to say this. It simply means that you like someone very, very much and think they’re amazing.

You make me want to be a better man.

• Mi fai venire voglia di essere un uomo migliore.

Gentlemen, don’t claim this phrase as your own! It hails from the movie ‘As Good as it Gets’, but it is sure to make your Italian girlfriend feel very special. Let her know that she inspires you!

Let all that you do be done in love.

• Lasciate che tutte le vostre cose siano fatte con amore.

We hope.

You are my sunshine, my love.

• Tu sei il mio sole, il mio amore.

A compliment that lets your lover know they bring a special quality to your life. Really nice!

Words can’t describe my love for you.

• Le parole non possono descrivere il mio amore per te.

Better say this when you’re feeling serious about the relationship! It means that your feelings are very intense.

We were meant to be together.

• Siamo fatti per stare insieme.

This is a loving affirmation that shows you see a future together, and that you feel a special bond with your partner.

If you were thinking about someone while reading this, you’re definitely in love.

• Se stavate pensando a qualcuno durante la lettura, siete sicuramente innamorati.

Here’s something fun to tease your lover with. And hope he/she was thinking of you!

5. Italian Quotes about Love

You’re a love champ! You and your Italian lover are getting along fantastically, your dates are awesome, your Valentine’s Day together was spectacular, and you’re very much in love. Good for you! Here are some beautiful phrases of endearment in Italian that will remind him/her who is in your thoughts all the time.

6. Marriage Proposal Lines

Wow. Your Italian lover is indeed the love of your life – congratulations! And may only happiness follow the two of you! In most traditions, the man asks the woman to marry; this is also the Italian custom. Here are a few sincere and romantic lines that will help you to ask your lady-love for her hand in marriage.

7. 15 Most Common Break-Up Lines

Instead of moving towards marriage or a long-term relationship, you find that the spark is not there for you. That is a pity! But even though breaking up is never easy, continuing a bad or unfulfilling relationship would be even harder. Remember to be kind to the person you are going to say goodbye to; respect and sensitivity cost nothing. Here are some phrases to help you break up gently.

8. Will Falling in Love help you Learn Italian faster?

Most people will agree that the above statement is a no-brainer – of course it will! Your body will be flooded with feel-good hormones, which are superb motivators for anything. ItalianPod101 is one of the best portals to help help make this a reality, so don’t hesitate to enroll now! Let’s quickly look at the reasons why falling in love will speed up your learning of the Italian language.

Three Reasons Why Having a Lover will Help you Learn Italian Faster!

1- Being in a love relationship with your Italian speaking partner will immerse you in the culture
ItalianPod101 uses immersive methods and tools to teach you Italian, but having a relationship with a native speaker will be a very valuable addition to your learning experience! You will gain exposure to their world, realtime and vividly, which will make the language come alive even more for you. The experience is likely to expand your world-view, which should motivate you to learn Italian even faster.

2- Having your Italian romantic partner will mean more opportunity to practice speaking
Nothing beats continuous practice when learning a new language. Your partner will probably be very willing to assist you in this, as your enhanced Italian language skills will enhance the relationship. Communication is, after all, one of the most important pillars of a good partnership. Also, you will get to impress your lover with the knowledge gained through your studies – a win/win situation!

3- A supportive Italian lover is likely to make a gentle, patient teacher and study aid!
With his/her heart filled with love and goodwill for you, your Italian partner is likely to patiently and gently correct your mistakes when you speak. This goes not only for grammar, but also for accent and meaning. With his/her help, you could sound like a native in no time!

Three Reasons Why ItalianPod101 helps you learn Italian Even Faster when you’re In Love

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1- All the Resources and Materials Will Help Both of You
Falling in love with a man or woman speaking Italian is an opportunity for both of you to learn a new language! For this reason, every lesson, transcript, vocabulary list, and resource at ItalianPod101 is translated into both English and Italian. So, while your partner can help you learn Italian faster, you can potentially also help him/her learn and master English!

2- Lessons Are Designed to Help You Understand and Engage with Italian Culture
At ItalianPod101, our focus is to help our students learn practical vocabulary and phrases used by everyday people in Italy. This means that, from your very first lesson, you can apply what you learn immediately! So, when your Italian partner wants to go out to a restaurant, play Pokemon Go, or attend just about any social function, you have the vocabulary and phrases necessary to have a great time!

3- Access to Special Resources Dedicated to Romantic Italian Phrases
You now have access to ItalianPod101’s specially-developed sections and tools to teach you love words, phrases, and cultural insights to help you find and attract your Italian soul mate. A personal tutor will assist you to master these brilliantly – remember to invite him/her to your wedding!

There’s no doubt about it: Italians like to greet. It’s a warm, smiling country, where communicating happiness and hospitality is crucial. To many non-Italians, especially from Northern countries, Italian greetings can appear to be over-the-top or even a bit unpleasant if you have a very strong sense of personal space. Often, you don’t just say hello in Italian, but you hug, kiss, and hold hands, even with people you’ve just met.

Body language is, indeed, as important as spoken language, but can be harder to understand and interpret. That’s why we at ItalianPod101 are providing you with a complete guide to Italian greetings, including gestures and body language. If you’re asking yourself, “How do you say hello in Italian?”, you’ll find the answer here for every possible context. And next time you meet your Italian friends, relatives, or even complete strangers, you’ll know exactly how to behave. So, let’s get started so that you can know all about Italian greetings!

1. Dictionary of Italian Greetings

How Italians greet each other varies according to the occasion (formal or informal), the age of the person they’re talking to, the time of the day/night, and if they’re just arriving or leaving. Here you have a dictionary of the Italian words and gestures for “hello” and other forms of greeting:

• Ciao (“Hello,” informal)
• A presto (“See you soon”)
• A dopo (“See you later”)
• Alla prossima (“See you next time”)
• Buongiorno (“Good morning,” for arrival)
• Buonasera (“Good evening,” used after four o’clock pm for arrival)
• Buon pomeriggio (“Good afternoon,” used only until four o’clock pm and mostly for departure)
• Buona giornata (“Have a nice day,” used only in the morning for departure)
• Buona serata (“Have a nice evening,” used after four o’clock pm for departure)
• Buona notte (“Good night,” for departure)
• Salve (“Hello,” general, for arrival and departure)
• Arrivederci (“Goodbye,” for departure)
• Come stai? (“How are you?” informal)
• Come va? (“How are you?” informal)
• Come sta? (“How are you?” formal or older person)
• Piacere di conoscerti (“Nice to meet you,” informal)
• Piacere di conoscerla (“Nice to meet you,” formal or older person)

2. An Italian Hello for Every Occasion

1- How to Say Hello in Italian to a Friend

Among friends, formalities are banned. Italian casual greetings for friends include hugs, kisses, holding hands, and exchanging nice words. You usually say, “Hello, how are you?” in Italian and ask about a loved person of your friend, such as a girlfriend, boyfriend, wife, husband, son, daughter, etc.

The Italian “hello” for friends is, of course, Ciao.

Example:
A: Ciao! Come stai?
B: Ciao! Tutto bene, grazie. E tu?
A: Tutto bene, grazie. E come sta Marta? (friend’s wife)
B: Sta bene, ti saluta.

Translation:
A: “Hello! How are you?”
B: “Hello! I’m alright, thanks. And you?”
A: “I’m alright, thanks. And how is Marta?”
B: “She’s fine, she says hello.”

Meanwhile, friends do usually kiss twice on the cheeks, or hug. Men friends sometimes only shake hands or pat each other’s backs. In Southern Italy, they kiss more often than in the North.

When you say goodbye to a friend, you should kiss them twice again—or hug, shake hands, etc.—and then say something like A presto (“See you soon”) or A dopo (“See you later”), or a general Alla prossima (“See you next time”). A simple Ciao is also okay.

2- How to Say Hello in Italian to an Older Person

When you talk to an older person, you’re usually expected to use the Lei form. This means that you talk to them using the feminine third-person singular. You won’t use the word Ciao, but you’ll say “Good morning” in Italian, or other terms depending on the time of the day/night. And how do you say “Good morning” in Italian? Buongiorno.

As you’ve already seen in the dictionary, these more formal kinds of greetings have a form for the arrival and a form for the departure. Let’s have a short overview of the different greetings for older persons:

• Buongiorno (“Good morning,” for arrival)
• Buonasera (“Good evening,” used after four o’clock pm for arrival)
• Buon pomeriggio (“Good afternoon,” used only until four o’clock pm and mostly for departure)
• Buona giornata (“Have a nice day,” used only in the morning for departure)
• Buona serata (“Have a nice evening,” used after four o’clock pm for departure)
• Buona notte (“Good night,” for departure)
• Salve (“Hello,” general, for arrival and departure)
• Arrivederci (“Goodbye,” for departure)

Does it sound complicated? It isn’t, actually. When you don’t know what to say, you can simply use Salve and Arrivederci, and you’ll be polite and correct in any circumstance.

Regarding body language, you’re expected to kiss an older person in your family, especially women. Sometimes men don’t kiss each other and prefer to shake hands. If you don’t know what to do, just follow their lead.

Example:
A: Buongiorno, come sta?
B: Buongiorno, sto bene, grazie. E lei?
A: Tutto bene, grazie. In famiglia stanno tutti bene?
B: Tutti bene. E i suoi?

Translation:
A: “Good morning, how are you?”
B: “Good morning, I’m fine, thanks. And you?”
A: “I’m fine, thanks. Is everyone in your family fine?”
B: “They are all fine. And what about yours?”

3- How to Say Hello in Italian for a Formal Occasion

Italian formal greetings—such as in a business meeting, for example—are similar to those used for older persons, although you should avoid Salve, which is perceived as too familiar. Regarding body language, you should not kiss anyone. Instead, you have to shake hands.

You should use the person’s title and the Lei form to them, and avoid asking “How are you?” which is too direct. Instead, you can ask something like “How was your journey?” or compliment the person for a job well done or a proud accomplishment.

Example:
A: Buongiorno, Professore. Ha fatto buon viaggio?
B: Buongiorno, Dottore. Molto buono, grazie.
A: Volevo complimentarmi con lei per il suo ultimo libro.
B: Grazie.

Translation:
A: “Good morning, Professor. Did you have a nice journey?”
B: “Good morning, Doctor. Very good, thank you.”
A: “I’d like to compliment you for your latest book.”
B: “Thank you.”

4- How to Say Hello to the Pope

Well, this is something that won’t happen to most of you, but who knows? And if you happen to meet the Pope, it’s better to know what to do! After all, this wouldn’t be a complete Italian greetings guide without some info on how to greet the Pope!

When the Pope enters into a room, when he stands, and when he walks, you should stand up as a sign of respect. If he talks to you directly, you should bow and shake his hand. Or, if you’re a Catholic, you may kiss his ring. When talking to him, you should use the Lei form and call him Santo Padre (“Saint Father”).

Now you’re ready to meet the Pope!

4- Greetings in Street Lingo

Just like everywhere else, Italian street lingo is different from the common language and varies from city to city. Some of the most common expressions are:

• Bella lì (“Hi”)
• Bella zio (“Hi”)
• Ciao, fra (“Hi, bro”)
• Come butta? (“What’s up” in Italian)

Example:
A: Bella zio, come butta?
B: Bella lì, tutto ok. E a te?
A: Tutto ok.

Translation:
A: “Hi, what’s up?”
B: “Hi, it’s ok. What’s up?”
A: “It’s ok.”

2. Greetings and Body Language in Italian

Italian greetings and introductions go far beyond words, and into body language. As you already know, body language in Italian is as important as the spoken language. As in the classic stereotype, Italians talk with their hands. But not only that: they also talk with their arms, head, shoulders, and eyes.

Let’s have a quick recap of the most common body language signs for greetings:

• Two kisses on the cheeks, with friends and relatives.
• Hold hands, with friends and relatives.
• Hugs, with friends and relatives.
• Shake hands, when you meet someone, in formal occasions or—especially in Northern Italy—among men relatives and friends.

3. How to Say Hello in Italian on the Phone

Maybe you’re telling yourself: “Greetings are very interesting, but I just want to know how to say hello in Italian on the phone!” Here you have the answer to answering the phone in Italian.

The Italian “hello” on the phone is pronto, a word that, weirdly enough, means “ready.”

Example:
A: Pronto?
B: Ciao Marta, sono la zia Antonia.
A: Ciao zia! Come stai?

Translation:
A: “Hello?”
B: “Hi Marta, it’s Aunt Antonia.”
A: “Hi aunt! How are you?”

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Check out our audio and video lessons and forget the old boring way of studying. Download our free app to learn while on-the-go and discuss with our super nice and friendly community of students from all around the globe!

Most everyone is familiar with this day, as it is celebrated nearly everywhere the world. Yet, when exactly is April Fools’ Day? And where did April Fools come from? April Fools’ Day is observed on April 1st every year. This day of jokes and pranks is believed to have stemmed from the 16th-century calendar change in France, when New Year’s Day was moved from April 1 to January 1. This action was taken due to the adoption of the Gregorian calendar.

However, a few people were resistant to the calendar change, so they continued to observe New Year’s Day on April 1st, rather than the new date. They were referred to as the “April Fools”, and others started playing mocking tricks on them. This custom endured, and is practiced to this day around the world!

Table of Contents

1. Top One Million Words You Need to Know for April Fools’ Day
2. Italian Phrases You Can Use on April Fools’ Day
3. Some of the Coolest April Fools’ Pranks To Play on Anybody
4. How Can ItalianPod101 Make Your April Fools’ Day Special?
5. Top 1000 Most Useful Phrases in Italian – Testing New Technology

1. Top One Million Words You Need to Know for April Fools’ Day

Do you want to know how to say April Fools’ Day in Italian? Well, there are millions of ways and words, but here are the top one million Italian words you really need to know! Simply click this link. Here are some of them you will find useful:

1. joke – scherzare
2. funny – buffo
3. April 1st – Pesce D’aprile
4. prank – scherzo
5. lie – mentire
6. sneaky – subdolo
7. prankster – burlone
8. play a joke – fare uno scherzo
9. humor – umorismo
10. fool – buffone
11. deceptive – ingannevole
12. surprise – sorprendere

2. Italian Phrases You Can Use on April Fools’ Day

Don’t limit yourself to practical jokes – use these April Fools’ phrases in Italian to prank your favorite Italian friend or colleague!

1. I learned Italian in 1 month.
   • Ho imparato l’italiano in 1 mese.
2. All classes for today got canceled.
   • Tutte le lezioni di oggi sono state cancellate.
3. I’m sorry, but I’ve just broken your favorite pair of glasses.
   • Mi dispiace, ma ho appena rotto il tuo paio di occhiali preferito.
4. Someone has just hit your car.
   • Qualcuno ha appena urtato la tua auto.
5. I’m getting married.
   • Sto per sposarmi.
6. You won a free ticket.
   • Hai vinto un biglietto gratuito.
7. I saw your car being towed.
   • Ho visto la tua macchina che veniva trainata.
8. They’re giving away free gift cards in front of the building.
   • Stanno distribuendo buoni regalo gratuiti di fronte all’edificio.
9. A handsome guy is waiting for you outside.
   • Un bel ragazzo ti sta aspettando fuori.
10. A beautiful lady asked me to give this phone number to you.
    • Una bella signora mi ha chiesto di darti questo numero di telefono.
11. Can you come downstairs? I have something special for you.
    • Puoi venire giù? Ho qualcosa di speciale per te.
12. Thank you for your love letter this morning. I never could have guessed your feelings.
    • Grazie per la tua lettera d’amore stamattina. Non avrei mai potuto immaginare i tuoi sentimenti.

Choose your victims carefully, though; the idea is to get them to laugh with you, not to hurt their feelings or humiliate them in front of others. Be extra careful if you choose to play a prank on your boss – you don’t want to antagonize them with an inappropriate joke.

3. Some of the Coolest April Fools’ Pranks To Play on Anybody

Right, now that you know the top million April Fools’ words in Italian, let’s look at some super pranks and tricks to play on friends, colleagues and family. Some April Fools ideas never grow old, while new ones are born every year.

Never joke in such a way that it hurts anyone, or humiliates them badly in front of others – the idea is for everybody to laugh and enjoy the fun! Respect is still key, no matter what day of the year it is.

1- Infestation

This trick is so simple, yet so creepy, it’s almost unbelievable. Take black paper, cut out the silhouette of a giant cockroach, a spider or another insect, and stick it inside the lampshade of a table lamp. When the lamp is switched on, it will look like a monstrous insect is sitting inside the lampshade. Or, get a whole lot of realistic-looking plastic insects, and spread them over a colleague’s desk and chair, or, at home, over the kids’ beds etc. Creep-factor: stellar.

2- Which One Doesn’t Fit?

Put the photo of a celebrity or a notorious politician in a frame, and take it to work on April Fools’ Day. Hang the photo on the staff picture wall, and wait. You’ll be surprised how long it can take for people to notice that one picture doesn’t fit.

3- Something Weird in the Restroom

At work, replace the air freshener in the restroom with something noxious like insect killer, oven cleaner or your own odious mixture in a spray bottle. Be sure to cover the bottle’s body so no one suspects a swap.

Or paint a bar of soap with clear nail polish, and leave it at the hand wash basin. It will not lather.

Or, if your workplace’s restroom has partitioned toilets with short doors, arrange jeans or trousers and shoes on all but one of the toilet covers, so it looks like every stall is occupied. Now wait for complaints, and see how long it takes for someone to figure out the April Fools’ Day prank. You’ll probably wish you had a camera inside the restroom. But, unless you don’t mind getting fired, don’t put your own recording device in there!

4- Call Me Funny

Prepare and print out a few posters with the following instructions: Lion Roar Challenge! Call this number – 123-456-7890 – and leave your best lion’s roar as voicemail! Best roarer will be announced April 10 in the cafeteria. Prize: $100. (Lion’s roar is just an example; you can use any animal call, or even a movie character’s unique sound, such as Chewbacca from Star Wars. The weirder, the funnier. Obviously!) Put the posters up in the office where most of the staff is likely to see them. Now wait for the owner of the number to visit you with murderous intent. Have a conciliatory gift ready that’s not a prank.

5- Minty Cookies

This is another simple but hugely effective prank – simply separate iced cookies, scrape off the icing, and replace it with toothpaste. Serve during lunch or tea break at work, or put in your family’s lunch boxes. Be sure to take photos of your victim’s faces when they first bite into your April Fools’ cookies.

6- Wild Shopping

At your local grocer, place a realistic-looking plastic snake or spider among the fresh vegetables. Now wait around the corner for the first yell.

7- The Oldest Trick in the Book

Don’t forget probably the oldest, yet very effective April Fools’ joke in the book – smearing hand cream or Vaseline on a door handle that most staff, family or friends are likely to use. Yuck to the max!

8- Sneeze On Me

Another golden oldie is also gross, yet harmless and utterly satisfying as a prank. Fill a small spray bottle that you can easily conceal with water. Walk past a friend, colleague or one of your kids, and fake a sneeze while simultaneously spraying them with a bit of water. Expect to be called a totally disgusting person. Add a drop of lovely smelling essential oil to the water for extra confusion.

9- Word Play Repairs

Put a fresh leek in the hand wash basin at home or work, and then tell your housemates or colleagues this: “There’s a huge leak in the restroom/bathroom basin, it’s really serious. Please can someone go have a look?!” Expect exasperation and smiles all around. Note that this prank is only likely to work where people understand English well.

10- Scary Face

Print out a very scary face on an A4 sheet of paper, and place it in a colleague’s, or one of your kid’s drawers, so it’s the first thing they see when they open the drawer. You may not be very popular for a while.

11- Wake Up To Madness

Put foamy shaving cream, or real whipped cream on your hand, and wake your kid up by tickling their nose with it. As long as they get the joke, this could be a wonderful and fun way to start April Fools’ Day.

12- Computer Prank

This one’s fabulous, if you have a bit of time to fiddle with a colleague, friend or your kid’s computer. It is most effective on a computer where most of the icons they use are on the desktop background itself (as opposed to on the bottom task bar).

Take and save a screenshot of their desktop with the icons. Set this screenshot as their background image. Now delete all the working icons. When they return to their computer, wait for the curses when no amount of clicking on the icons works.

13- Monster Under the Cup

This one will also work well anywhere people meet. Take a paper cup, and write the following on it in black pen: “Danger! Don’t lift, big spider underneath.” Place it upside-down on prominent flat surface, such as a kitchen counter, a colleague’s desk or a restaurant table. Expect some truly interesting responses.

14- Prank Door

Write in large letters on a large and noticeable piece of paper: PUSH. Tape this notice on a door that should be pulled to open, and watch the hilarious struggle of those clever souls who actually read signs.

4. How Can ItalianPod101 Make Your April Fools’ Day Special?

If you happen to visit Italy, or if you work for any Italian company, knowing the above Italian prankster phrases can really lighten up your day. Showing you have a sense of humor can go a long way to cement good relationships in any situation. These phrases are at your disposal for free, as well as are these 100 core Italian words, which you will learn how to pronounce perfectly.

Also, don’t stop at learning April Fools’ phrases in Italian – bone up your Italian language skills with these FREE key phrases. Yes, ItalianPod101 doesn’t joke when it comes to effective, fun and easy learning.

Now, as a bonus, test our super-learning technology, and learn the Top 1000 most useful phrases in Italian below! But that’s not all. Read on to learn how you can be eligible for large enrollment discounts at ItalianPod101.

5. Top 1000 Most Useful Phrases in Italian – testing new technology

Help us by being a language guinea pig! Listen to this video above with embedded cutting-edge, frequency-based learning technology that enables you to learn large amounts of data in record time.

• Note: This technology is in beta-phase of development, and we invite your input for fine-tuning.
• To participate: Watch the video for instructions, and leave a comment to rate it. Your comment will make you eligible for large enrollment-fee discounts. To watch the video, please click the play button.

Thank you for helping ItalianPod101! We’re serious about making learning Italian fun.

Learn a little Italian everyday with the free Italian Word of the Day Widget. Check back daily for more vocabulary!

sorella maggiore older sister (phrase)

La sorella maggiore sta tenendo la sorella minore.
The older sister is holding her younger sister.

avere una sorella maggiore
have an older sister

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Zombies are coming, and they speak Italian! Do you have what it takes to survive? No?
How lucky you are, we have exactly what you need. Here is the Top 20 Words and Phrases you need to survive this Apocalypse!

Click here to listen how to pronounce those phrases!

infezione (n)
infection

spaventoso (adj)
scary

teschio (n)
skull

tomba (n)
grave

Qual è il tuo film di zombi preferito??
What’s your favorite zombie movie?

Click here to access this lesson for free!

apocalisse (n)
apocalypse

alzarsi dalla tomba.
rise from the grave

Zombi! Correte!
Zombies! Run!

Se ci fosse un attacco di zombi, dove andresti?
If there was a zombie attack, where would you go?

soprannaturale (adj)
supernatural

scorta alimentare (n)
food supply

morti che camminano
walking dead

pelle d’oca(n)
goose bumps

immaginazione (n)
imagination

cultura pop (n)
pop culture

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acqua dolce (n)
fresh water

cadavere (n)
corpse

raccapricciante (adj)
gruesome

nascondersi (v)
hide

cimitero (n)
graveyard

Want to amaze zombies? Become their friends? Learn Italian with our vocabulary lists!

More sample sentences, vocabulary, audio and video lessons when you sign up for free at ItalianPod101.com.

Stuck in traffic? Losing time in your car? Have you ever felt that in all this wasted time, you could have watched the 750 episodes of One Piece, finished the last Super Mario ten times, or even better…you could have learned Italian? Between family, friends and work, in addition to this time-consuming commute, it can become difficult to find time to properly learn Italian.

Fortunately, every problem has a solution, and what could be a better solution than turning that commute time into learning time? Stop passing the time mindlessly listening to the radio and try some of our best tips for mastering Italian in your car!

Click Here To Start Learning Italian Right Now!

You can learn Italian in your car, hands free
While driving, it’s important that you keep your focus on the road, so this is why our top tips won’t require you to use your hands!

Listening to Italian audio content in the car is a good way to learn
This is because it is a fun and efficient way to learn. With ItalianPod101.com podcasts, you will be able to discover Italian culture through topics about everyday life. Instead of the radio, listen to a Italian podcast adapted to your level, from Absolute Beginner to Advanced, and you will make progress sooner that you would expect!

You can listen to Italian music in the car
Did you know that you can learn Italian by singing while driving? Listen to songs from cartoon or drama and try to identify some words you learned.

Challenge yourself! Use the Italian you’ve studied up to this point and see how much you understand! Making the jump to real-life Italian is a scary one, but friendly children’s songs are a great place to start!

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You can learn alone in your car
When you’re driving alone, you can be as loud as you want – there is nothing better for remembering your Italian lessons than repeating loudly, again and again. Next time you see a driver who seems to be talking alone, you will know he or she is just learning Italian!

You can learn through repetition with your passengers
If there are passengers in the car, it can be more stimulating to learn together. You can set a role play with Italian dialogues. With ItalianPod101.com, you can download all the lessons transcript including the dialogues, as a PDF. Print it out and have some fun speaking in Italian!

One of the passengers can answer the quiz available on each of our lessons, while another can correct that person. Listening to someone at a more advanced level of Italian or a better accent is positive and helps you improve.

You can learn Italian offline
Do you have a poor connection or are unable to use the Internet? It’s not a problem for learning Italian! Before you start your commute, use our App to download the lessons you want to study and the podcast you want to listen to in your car, and you will be able to enjoy your lessons offline. Entering a tunnel won’t be a problem anymore. What a pleasure to listen to audio content without having the host freezing every 5 seconds!

Click here to download the App and learn offline!

You can learn every day at your own pace
One of the best approaches for learning a language is little by little and often. It’s not efficient to take in a huge amount of information at one time. What you need is to study on a regular basis – a little bit of Italian every day. You commute several days a week, and that is all time you can take advantage of!

You have the freedom to choose the lessons and podcasts you want to focus on, at your own rhythm. You may want to do a little revision or discover how to talk about a new topic. And if you’re wondering what to learn next, you can use the new Learning Paths, which is our customized pathway feature that gives you a step-by-step way to learn Italian without getting lost!

Click here to access Learning Paths at ItalianPod101!

If you don’t have a car and commute by another method, these tips are still valid! Learning Italian is no longer limited to the classroom or your house; there are so many benefits to learning in your car or elsewhere. Reaching a conversational level will take you less time than you could ever have imagined! Don’t forget to sign up for your Free Lifetime Account and enjoy our content!

Hey Italian Learner!

Shortcuts for learning and tips to remember Italian words are useful but it’s even also important to fix objectives to reach every month! What Is Your Language Learning Goal for the Month?
In your journey to become fluent and conversational here are 10 monthly goals you can go after!

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1) I’ll finish Survival Phrases series on ItalianPod101.com by listening to two lesson a day.

2) I’ll give a 3 minute introductory speech in Italian to my Italian friends.

3) I’ll finish reading one Italian book by reading 10 pages a day.

4) I’ll pass my Italian test.

5) I’ll write 10 postcards in Italian to my Italian friends.

6) I’ll memorize 5 Italian songs.

7) I’ll finish memorizing 350 words with Flashcards on ItalianPod101.com.

8 ) I’ll fully understand one Italian movie by watching it every day.

9) I’ll learn how to talk about past, present and future events.

10) I’ll master 150 words by memorizing 5 words a day.

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If you follow those monthly goals, you will be sure to make some amazing progress. And remember, if you’re really interested in getting on the fast-track to fluency, sign up for a FREE lifetime account at ItalianPod101.com!

Click here to listen how to pronounce those lovely words!

Ti amo.
I love you.

Sei così importante per me.
You mean so much to me.

Vuoi essere il mio Valentino?
Will you be my Valentine?

Sei così bella.
You’re so beautiful.

Penso a te come a più di un amico.
I think of you as more than a friend.

Un centinaio di cuori sarebbero troppo pochi per racchiudere tutto il mio amore per te.
A hundred hearts would be too few to carry all my love for you.

L’amore è solo amore. Non può mai essere spiegato.
Love is just love. It can never be explained.

Sei così bello.
You’re so handsome.

Ho una cotta per te.
I’ve got a crush on you.

Mi fai venire voglia di essere un uomo migliore.
You make me want to be a better man.

Lasciate che tutte le vostre cose siano fatte con amore.
Let all that you do be done in love.

Tu sei il mio sole, il mio amore.
You are my sunshine, my love.

Siamo fatti per stare insieme.
We were meant to be together.

Se stavate pensando a qualcuno durante la lettura, siete sicuramente innamorati.
If you were thinking about someone while reading this, you’re definitely in love.

Break up? Want to impress friends? Learn Italian with our other vocabulary lists!

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buffo funny (adjective)

Gli uomini stanno ridendo per qualcosa di buffo.
The men are laughing at something funny.

L’uomo buffo sta ballando senza pantaloni.
The funny man is dancing without pants.

film buffo
funny movie

ridere per qualcosa di buffo
laugh at something funny

guardare un programma buffo
watch a funny show

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