Dialogue

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Vocabulary (Review)

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Lesson Notes

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Lesson Transcript

Welcome to Can-Do Italian by ItalianPod101.com.
In this lesson, you’ll learn how to use essential social expressions in Italian.
For example, "Excuse me" is
Scusi.
Isabella Russo is on the train. A fellow passenger drops his wallet as he exits the train. Isabella picks up the wallet and chases after the man.
Before you listen to the dialogue, let's preview some of its key components.
scusi
"Excuse me" or "sorry" depending on the context
scusi
scusi
prego
"you're welcome"
prego
prego
grazie
"Thank you"
grazie
grazie
Non c'è problema.
"It's no problem."
Non c'è problema.
Non c'è problema.
Listen to the following three short dialogues between Isabella and the man.
Ready?
Isabella is chasing the man on the platform with the wallet in her hand.
Scusi.
Sì?
Isabella hands the man the wallet.
Grazie!
Prego.
Isabella turns to board the train, but the doors shut.
Scusi…
Non c'è problema.
Once more with the English translation.
Isabella is chasing the man on the platform with the wallet in her hand.
Scusi.
"Excuse me."
Sì?
"Yes?"
Isabella hands the man the wallet.
Grazie!
"Thank you!"
Isabella Russo : Prego.
"You're welcome."
Isabella turns to board the train, but the doors shut.
Scusi…
"I'm sorry…"
Non c'è problema.
"It’s no problem."
Let's break down the conversations.
First, do you remember how Isabella Russo says,
"Excuse me."
Scusi.
In this context, Scusi is used to get someone's attention, and translates as "Excuse me." Scusi.
Scusi.
This is a formal expression. Isabella uses it because she’s speaking with someone she doesn’t know.
Note: This expression can also be used as a mild apology, but here Isabella uses it to get the attention of the person he’s chasing after.
Do you remember how the passenger acknowledges Isabella by saying,
"Yes?"
Sì?
Sì? "Yes?" Sì?.
Sì?
The second part of the conversation takes place after Isabella returns the passenger’s wallet.
Do you remember how the passenger says,
"Thank you."
Grazie!
Grazie! "Thank you!" Grazie !
Michele Monti : Grazie!
To add more emphasis to your appreciation, you could say, Grazie mille, literally, "thanks a thousand," but translates as "thanks a lot." Grazie mille. This is an idiomatic expression used throughout all of Italy. Note, Mille grazie, "a thousand thanks," is a less frequently used variation, meaning the same thing.
Do you remember how Isabella says,
"You’re welcome."
Prego.
Prego.
"You're welcome."
Prego. Prego.
Prego is from the verb pregare, meaning “to pray.”
Prego.
“You’re welcome” is the most common translation, but this is a versatile phrase that can be used in multiple situations with many translations. So you will come into contact with it a lot.
After the train doors shut and Isabella misses her train, do you remember how the passenger apologies to Isabella by saying,
"I’m sorry…"
Scusi…
In this context, Scusi…, means "I’m sorry…"
Scusi…
The passenger feels responsible for Isabella missing her train and is apologizing.
The meaning of scusi depends on context.
Do you remember how Isabella replies,
"It’s no problem."
Non c'è problema.
This starts with Non, which means "not." Non. Non.
Next is c'è, which means "there is." C'è. C'è.
C’è is the contracted form of ci è.
Ci. "There." Ci.
È. "Is," È.
Dropping the vowel sound from ci makes the phrase, C’è, easier to pronounce.
Last is problema, "problem." Problema. Problema.
All together, Non c'è problema literally means "Not there is problem," but it translates as "It’s no problem," or "No problem."
Non c'è problema.
This is a common phrase used to express that things are alright.
Scusa is the informal form of scusi.
Scusa. "Excuse me." Scusa. Scusa.
Scusa is used in informal situations, such as when speaking with people of similar age and social status.
They are both imperative forms of the verb scusare, which means “to excuse,” or “to forgive.”
Let’s look at the expressions once more. Listen and repeat, or speak along.
Scusi.
"Excuse me."
Scusi.
Sì?
"Yes?"
Sì?
Grazie.
"Thank you."
Grazie.
Prego.
"You're welcome."
Prego.
Scusi…
"I'm sorry…"
Scusi…
Non c'è problema.
"It's no problem."
Non c'è problema.
Scusa.
"Excuse me."
Scusa.
Let's review.
Respond to the prompts by speaking aloud. Then repeat after the native speakers, focusing on pronunciation.
Ready?
Do you remember how Isabella Russo says,
"Excuse me."
Scusi.
Scusi.
And how the passenger says,
"Yes?"
Sì?
Sì?
Do you remember how to say
"Thank you."
Grazie.
Grazie.
And how to say
"You’re welcome."
Prego.
Prego.
Do you remember how the passenger says,
"I'm sorry."
Scusi…
Scusi…
And how Isabella says,
"It’s no problem."
Non c'è problema.
Non c'è problema.
Let's practice.
Imagine you’re Emily Erba , and you receive a popular Italian candy from your Italian teacher.
Say, "Thank you."
Ready?
Grazie.
Prego.
Listen again and repeat.
Grazie.
Grazie.
Let’s try another.
Imagine you’re Riccardo Russo , and a passenger bumps into you.
Respond by saying, "It’s no problem."
Ready?
Scusi.
Non c'è problema.
Listen again and repeat.
Non c'è problema.
Non c'è problema.
Let’s try one more.
Imagine you’re Riccardo Russo and you see a man drop his wallet.
Get his attention.
Ready?
Scusi.
Sì?
Listen again and repeat.
Scusi.
Scusi.
Well done! This is the end of the lesson and the Can Use Essential Social Expressions unit of this course.
Remember, these Can Do lessons are about learning practical language skills.
What's next?
Show us what you can do.
When you're ready, take your assessment.
You can take it again and again, so try anytime you like.
Our teachers will assess it, and give you your results.
Keep practicing — and move on to the next lesson!

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