Polite Italian Expressions

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These Italian expressions help you make requests, thank people and respond politely. With strangers or in formal situations, use the Lei forms scusi, può and si figuri. With friends, use scusa, puoi and figurati.

Courtesy Phrases

Politeness depends on context and tone as well as vocabulary. These examples show how to use common expressions.

How to say “Please” in Italian

Per favore

Per favore means “please.” A request with vorrei (“I would like”) usually sounds more courteous than an abrupt demand.

Vorrei un bicchiere d’acqua per favore.	I would like a glass of water please.
Molto bene. Grazie.	Very well. Thank you.

Explore more ways to say thank you in Italian.

How to say “Thank you” in Italian

Grazie

Grazie means “thank you.” You can use it in formal and informal situations.

Ecco il tuo vino.	Here is your wine.
Grazie.	Thank you.

“By all means, after you” in Italian

Prego

Prego often means “you’re welcome” in response to grazie. It can also invite someone to enter, go first or speak: “please,” “after you” or “go ahead.” It is not the usual way to thank someone.

È questo il posto?	Is this the place?
Sì. Prego.	Yes. By all means after you.

“You’re welcome!” in Italian

Non c’è di che

Non c’è di che means “don’t mention it” or “you’re welcome.” Notice the accent in è.

Grazie per la cena.	Thank you for dinner.
Non c’è di che.	You’re welcome.

“I’m sorry” in Italian

Mi dispiace

Mi dispiace expresses regret or sympathy. To apologize directly for an action, you can also use scusa (informal) or mi scusi (formal).

Mi dispiace che le cose siano andate in questo modo.	I’m sorry that things turned out this way.
Non c’è niente che tu possa fare.	There’s nothing you can do.

“Excuse me” (Formal) in Italian

Mi scusi

Mi scusi politely gets a stranger’s attention or apologizes for a minor interruption. Use scusa with someone you address as tu.

Mi scusi, parla inglese?	Excuse me, do you speak English?
Parlo un po’ di inglese.	I speak a little bit of English.

“Excuse me, I need some information, please” in Italian

Scusi, un’informazione, per favore.

The feminine noun informazione needs un’ before its initial vowel: un’informazione. In a formal exchange, Come posso aiutarla? means “How may I help you?”

Scusi, un’informazione, per favore.	Excuse me, I need some information, please.
Come posso aiutarla?	How may I help you?

“Excuse me, May I come in?” in Italian

Permesso?

Say Permesso? when asking to enter or politely pass someone. Prego can be the invitation to proceed.

Mi scusi, permesso?	Excuse me, may I come in?
Prego.	Please come in.

“Yes” in Italian

Sì

Sì means “yes” and has a grave accent. The unaccented si has other grammatical uses. If you do not understand, ask for clarification instead of agreeing.

Vuoi un caffè?	Do you want some coffee?
Sì, grazie.	Yes, please.

“No” in Italian

No

No means “no.” For a polite refusal to an offer, No, grazie means “No, thank you.”

Ti amo, vuoi sposarmi?	I love you, will you marry me?
No	No

“Thank you very much” in Italian

Molte grazie

Molte grazie means “thank you very much.” Grazie mille is another common option.

Molte grazie.	Thank you very much.
Non c’è di che.	Don’t mention it.

“It’s nothing” in Italian

Si figuri!

Si figuri is a formal response to thanks or an apology, similar to “don’t mention it.” With a friend, use Figurati. Here si has no accent.

Grazie per il caffè.	Thank you for the coffee.
Si figuri!	It’s nothing!

“Can you please repeat?” in Italian

Può ripetere, per cortesia?

Può ripetere, per cortesia? means “Could you repeat that, please?” It is formal. The informal form is Puoi ripetere, per favore?.

Domani visitiamo Venezia.	We’ll visit Venice tomorrow.
Mi dispiace. Può ripetere, per cortesia?	I’m sorry, can you please repeat?

“To health!” in Italian

Salute!

Salute! can be a toast (“Cheers!”) or a response to a sneeze (“Bless you!”). The noun salute means “health.”

Alla nostra salute e alla nostra amicizia!	To our health and to our friendship!
Salute!	Cheers!

“Happy Birthday!” in Italian

Buon compleanno!

Say Buon compleanno! to wish someone a happy birthday.

Buon compleanno!	Happy birthday!
Molte grazie!	Thank you so much!

More here.

“Merry Christmas!” in Italian

Buon Natale!

Say Buon Natale! to wish someone a merry Christmas.

Ecco che arriva Babbo Natale!	Here comes Santa Claus!
Buon Natale!	Merry Christmas!

“Have a nice trip!” in Italian

Buon viaggio

Say Buon viaggio! to someone setting off on a trip.

Sto per andare in vacanza.	I’m going on vacation.
Buon viaggio!	Have a nice trip!

“Enjoy your meal!” in Italian 

Buon appetito!

Buon appetito! is a wish for someone to enjoy their meal.

Sembra delizioso.	It looks delicious.
Buon appetito!	Enjoy your meal!

Conclusion

Practice these expressions in short exchanges, paying attention to whether you are addressing someone formally or informally.