7 of Our Favorite Italian Words
Before you head to Italy, there are some essential Italian words worth knowing. Not only will you hear these words constantly once you’re there, but using them yourself tends to earn you a smile (and maybe a little extra warmth) from locals. Bonus: you’ll understand a lot more of what’s going on around you. Here are 7 of our favorite Italian words to know before you go.
Words You’ll Hear All the Time in Italy
- Allora — so, then, well
You’ll hear this all. the. time. Allora is a great filler word that Italians use constantly, kind of like how we use “so” in English. You’ll pick up on the meaning just by hearing it enough. - Quindi — so, therefore, next
It basically means “therefore,” as in Sta per piovere, quindi porta l’ombrello (“It’s about to rain, so bring an umbrella”). But quindi can also mean “next” or “then,” as in Ho messo le scarpe, quindi sono uscita (“I put my shoes on, then I went out”). - Va bene — very well, all right, good
You’ll hear this one all the time too — it’s the easy, all-purpose “okay” of Italian. - Ecco — here, voilà
The Italian equivalent of “here you are” or “there we go.” - Aspetta — wait
Definitely handy to know, especially if you’re keeping up with kids all day. - Boh — um, hmm, I don’t know
A super informal way to say “I don’t know.” You’ll often see an Italian say this while giving a little shrug. - Cavolo — cabbage (crap)
A milder stand-in for cazzo, roughly equivalent to saying “crap” in English instead of something stronger.
You don’t need to master Italian before you arrive. Just knowing a handful of words like these — and using them without fear of getting it wrong — goes a long way with a host family.
Why Learning a Few Local Words Matters
You don’t need fluency to make a real connection. Showing up with a few everyday words already in your pocket signals to a host family that you’re genuinely trying, and it makes those first few conversations feel a lot less intimidating — for both of you.
FAQ: Learning Italian Before You Go
Do I need to speak Italian to become an au pair in Italy?
No — most host families welcome au pairs at any language level, and many are happy to help you practice. Picking up common words and phrases beforehand simply makes daily life smoother from day one.
What’s the fastest way to learn everyday Italian phrases like these?
Language apps, short courses, and simply listening to Italian podcasts or shows can help you build a starter vocabulary. But the fastest way most au pairs learn is through daily conversation with their host family once they’re immersed in it.
Will Italians mind if I mispronounce words at first?
Not at all. Most Italians are genuinely pleased when a visitor makes the effort, mispronunciations and all. Confidence tends to matter more than perfect grammar.
Are these words used the same way throughout Italy, or do they vary by region?
Words like allora, va bene, and boh are used nationwide and understood everywhere. You may also pick up regional slang and dialect words once you’re settled into a specific city or area.
Learning a few Italian words is a fun start — living immersed in the language, with a host family who’ll help you practice every day, is where it really comes alive.
Part of the Rome Abroad team helping young women live and work abroad as au pairs since 2015.
