When you start your path to speaking a new language, being able to express that to other people is a very important skill. So, if you are hoping to learn how to say ‘I am learning Italian’ in Italian this is the blog post for you.
In this text, we will have a close look at how to say this important phrase and will also share some other important vocabulary to help you navigate the Italian language with more confidence and ease. But before we get started, don’t forget to listen to the podcast to make the most of this learning experience and discover how to pronounce some of the words.
How do you say ‘I am learning Italian’ in Italian
Let’s cut to the chase. If you want to say I am learning Italian in Italian you must say sto imparando l’italiano. This phrase is perfect when you want to explain that you’re still in the process of improving your language skills.
Another important key sentence to have is to say that you speak a little Italian. For that, you could say parlo un po’ di italiano I speak a little Italian.
How to ask ‘do you speak Italian’ in Italian
Now that you know how to say ‘I am learning Italian’ in Italian, we are sure that you would like to learn how to ask that question. This way, you would be able to be prepared to answer when asked and also to make small talk after saying how are you in Italian, for example.
The phrase would go like this Lei parla italiano?, meaning Do you speak Italian? in a formal context. In Italian, using pronouns like io I, tu you, or Lei formal you is not strictly necessary, but it adds emphasis to the subject of the sentence.
Talking about the languages you speak
Another important aspect to navigate the language beyond saying ‘I am learning Italia’ in Italian is talking about other languages you speak, for example. So, if someone asks, Quali lingue parli? Which languages do you speak?, you can respond with a list of languages, just like our host Francesca did:
- Parlo italiano ovviamente, inglese, e un po’ di russo, francese, spagnolo. I speak Italian obviously, English, and a little Russian, French, Spanish.
This is a good opportunity to practise listing your languages and getting used to some important vocabulary. For instance:
- italiano Italian
- inglese English
- russo Russian
- spagnolo Spanish
A small difference
A unique aspect of the language that beginners need to remember is that the names of languages and nationalities in Italian do not start with a capital letter as they do in English. So, it’s italiano Italian, not Italiano. This small difference is a common pitfall for learners, but understanding these distinctions makes your learning experience more authentic.
Try practising with a friend or even by yourself in front of a mirror. It’s a great way to get comfortable with your Italian pronunciation! And if you need to, remember that you can always ask:
- Può ripetere per favore? Can you repeat, please?
- Può parlare più lentamente per favore? Can you speak more slowly, please?
These polite questions are excellent tools to have ready in your conversational arsenal. Italians are often happy to help learners, and showing that you’re making an effort goes a long way.
We hope that being familiar with the phrase ‘I am learning Italian’ in Italian has helped you feel more comfortable to continue your studies. Take it un passo alla volta one step at a time, and before you know it, you’ll be chatting confidently in the language.
And if you would like to review basic Italian vocabulary, don’t miss out on the blog post and episode we prepared to help you with that. Read it now!
