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Learn how to say ‘I am learning Italian’ in Italian and other useful sentences for navigating the language

August 14, 2025March 25, 2015 by Coffee Break Languages

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!

Season 4 – Episode 32 – Coffee Break French

November 11, 2025March 20, 2015 by Coffee Break Languages

It’s time for another episode in our series for advanced French learners. In this lesson Mark and Pierre-Benoît are discussing the latest email from Matthieu to Gabrielle. There are many interesting expressions and useful grammar points covered including agreement of preceding direct objects, rien que de + infinitive, en avoir l’eau à la bouche, and much more.

Directions in Italian: how to ask, answer and related vocabulary

July 14, 2025March 17, 2015 by Coffee Break Languages

On your next trip to Rome, Venice, or the rolling hills of Tuscany, knowing how to ask for and understand directions in Italian is essential, right? By being able to make the most of your adventure using the language you will not only find your way through charming alleyways, but it will also allow you to connect with locals and immerse yourself in Italian culture.

In this blog post, we’ll cover the essential phrases for asking and giving directions in Italian, explain key vocabulary and provide useful tips to help you navigate like a local. But before we get started, don’t forget to listen to the podcast to make the most of this text and learn how to pronounce some of the words.

How to ask for directions in Italian?

First things first: when you’re lost or need help finding something, you’ll want to know how to politely ask for directions. The most important phrase you’ll need is Dov’è…? or Dove sono…?, which means Where is…? or Where are…? in Italian.

But you will also need to know some basic directional vocabulary. Here are some essential words to help you:

a sinistra to the left
a destra to the right
dritto straight ahead
vicino near
lontano far
all’angolo at the corner
di fronte a in front of, opposite
accanto a next to
dietro behind
davanti a in front of

You will also need to know the names of some places, like:

la stazione the train station
il ristorante the restaurant
il museo the museum
l’albergo or l’hotel the hotel
la piazza the square
la farmacia the pharmacy
il duomo the cathedral

So, let’s put it all together now and check out how it would sound like if you were asking a local:

Dov’è il museo? Where is the museum?
Vai dritto per due isolati. Il museo è di fronte alla stazione. Go straight for two blocks. The museum is in front of the station. (informal)

Additionally, hand gestures are commonly used in Italy to emphasise directions. Don’t be surprised if someone points in the direction you should go or uses hand gestures to explain right, left, and straight ahead. It’s all part of the Italian charm!

Giving directions in Italian

Now that you know how to ask for directions, what if someone asks you for help? Here’s how to give simple directions in Italian:

Examples:

Gira a destra e poi vai dritto. Turn right and then go straight.
La stazione è a sinistra, accanto al supermercato. The station is on the left, next to the supermarket.
Vai sempre dritto fino alla piazza. Go straight ahead until the square.
La fermata dell’autobus è di fronte all’hotel. The bus stop is in front of the hotel.

Moreover, remember to be polite when visiting any Italian-speaking country. When asking a question, always start with scusa excuse me and finish with grazie, thank you. This will make a positive impression on the locals!

Now that you’ve learned how to ask for, understand and give directions in Italian, you can confidently explore! But how would you answer if someone asked you ‘do you speak Italian’? If you are unsure, check the blog post we prepared to help you with that!

Episode 4 – High Five French

November 11, 2025March 13, 2015 by Coffee Break Languages

Join Emma and Mathilde in this ten-lesson podcast series for younger learners of French. In this episode, you’ll learn to say how old you are and to count from one to twelve.

Listen to the episode

High Five French Membership

The free podcast is only the beginning! High Five French is a full forty-lesson video course with a range of materials allowing children to learn and understand the French language. Purchasing a membership gives access to the following elements for each of the forty lessons:

video episode: join Emma and Mathilde on location in France in our video episodes. The video presents the language covered in the lesson in a fun way, allowing children first to hear the French word or phrase, and then to see it on the screen as Mathilde encourages viewers to repeat the word and practise their French.
the High Five French Radio Show: this bonus audio recording provides further practice of the words and phrases covered in the main video lesson, and also provides some bonus vocabulary. Each episode of the radio show finishes with a musical review of the words and phrases of the lesson.
activity sheets: we’ve included two activity sheets for each lesson, allowing children to practise the written language in fun puzzles and activities.
transcripts: there are full transcripts of the video lessons with explanations of any unfamiliar French words.
notes for parents: if you’re not familiar with French, it can be difficult to support your child in their learning. Our notes for parents for each lesson will help you help your child learn! There are explanations of the difficult words and phrases and background information on the language and culture of the French-speaking world.

Learn more about High Five French
The members’ version can be accessed through our membership system. You can purchase a membership using the links below. The complete course of 40 lessons is already available, so as soon as you purchase you will have access to all 40 lessons.

Access a trial lesson and find out more here
The course includes 40 streaming video lessons, 40 streaming audio lessons, activity sheets, notes for parents
(£99.00 GBP inc VAT / approx $124.00 USD ex VAT for non EU customers)

Information for teachers

If you’re a teacher and you’re interested in using this resource within your school, we provide a licence for using High Five French in schools which includes all the resources mentioned above and comprehensive notes for both specialist and non-specialist teachers. High Five French is the perfect way to introduce French in an engaging way to younger learners.

Subscribe links

Subscribe in iTunes | RSS Feed | Purchase members’ audio and transcripts

Episode 4 – Season 4 – Coffee Break Spanish

February 27, 2025March 12, 2015 by Coffee Break Languages

In this latest episode of our advanced Spanish course we join María in her latest diary entry. Rory has just arrived in Mallorca and María tells us of his first day on the island. As usual Mark and Carmen are on hand to discuss the interesting grammar points and idiomatic expressions covered in the text.

How to say ‘where is’ in Italian: easy phrases for travellers

July 14, 2025March 10, 2015 by Coffee Break Languages

Italy is full of incredible cities, hidden gems, and historic landmarks, but navigating your way through its charming streets can sometimes be tricky. Therefore, if you are planning a trip to Italy, learning how to say ‘where is’ in Italian is one of the most useful skills you can have.

In this blog post, we’ll talk you through how to say ‘where is’ in Italian, introduce you to some key vocabulary, and provide plenty of real-life examples to help you navigate like a local. Don’t forget to listen to the podcast while you read this article to gain insights on pronunciation and learn more useful vocabulary.

Let’s get started!

How to say ‘where is’ in Italian: the basics

The phrase you’re looking for if you are thinking of how to say ‘where is’ in Italian is dov’è…?. This question, as you can imagine, is used to ask for the location of something. If you’re asking about more than one thing (i.e., a plural), you’ll use dove sono…? which translates to where are…?

It’s that simple! Once you know these two phrases, you can ask about pretty much anything, from Dov’è il bagno? Where is the bathroom? to Dove sono i musei? Where are the museums?.

To make it even clearer, here are some other examples:

Dov’è la stazione? Where is the station?
Dov’è il ristorante? Where is the restaurant?
Dove sono i negozi? Where are the shops?
Dove sono i monumenti? Where are the monuments?

Key vocabulary for asking ‘where is’ in Italian

Now that you know how to say dov’è, it’s time to expand your vocabulary. Italy have so much to offer, and there are a few essential words that will make asking for directions easier.

Here are some places and landmarks you might want to ask about:

il bagno the bathroom
la stazione the train station
il ristorante the restaurant
il museo the museum
l’hotel the hotel
la farmacia the pharmacy
la piazza the square
la cattedrale the cathedral

Learning the names of these places will allow you to ask more specific questions and get helpful responses. You’ll pick these up as you go along, just like asking what someone’s name is in Italian or how to answer the phone in Italian, and with practice, they’ll become second nature!

Extra tips for asking ‘where is’ in Italian

When you’re asking dov’è, adding a few polite phrases is always helpful to keep the conversation friendly and respectful. Here are a couple of phrases to include when asking questions:

Scusi, dov’è…? Excuse me, where is…?
Per favore Please
Grazie Thank you
Prego You’re welcome

These little touches will help you blend in with the locals and make your interactions smoother. Italian-speaking locals are generally friendly and helpful, especially when tourists make an effort to speak the language

Now that you know how to say ‘where is’ in Italian, you’re all set to explore Italy with confidence. Whether you’re asking for directions to the nearest gelato stand or trying to find a famous landmark, ‘dov’è’ will be your trusty tool for getting around.

Remember, the best way to improve your Italian is through practice, so don’t be afraid to use these phrases when you’re out and about! To learn more about how to ask for directions in Italian and understand how to get to places, check out the podcast and the blog post we have on the subject!

Season 4 – Episode 31 – Coffee Break French

February 27, 2025March 6, 2015 by Coffee Break Languages

Join Mark and Pierre-Benoît for another lesson of our advanced French course. In this episode they’re discussing Gabrielle’s revelations in her most recent email to Matthieu. As usual there are plenty of interesting grammar points and idiomatic expressions to study including the expressions prendre ses clics et ses clacs and aller en éclaireur.

Counting from 1 to 10 in Italian: a beginners guide

July 14, 2025March 2, 2015 by Coffee Break Languages

Learning numbers in a new language is one of the most practical skills you can acquire as a beginner. Whether you’re travelling to Italy, ordering gelato or sharing details about your family, mastering numbers is essential. In this post, we’ll focus on how to count from 1 to 10 in Italian, using examples and phrases from daily life to make learning these numbers more practical.

Grab your coffee and let’s start learning 1 to 10 in Italian! Don’t forget to listen to the podcast below while reading the article to discover the right pronunciation of the numbers and basic phrases.

1 to 10 in Italian

Numbers are at the core of countless everyday situations, like asking for prices at a market or sharing your phone number. In that sense, knowing how to count in Italian from 1 to 10 will make your conversations go smoother.

Additionally, Italian numbers are straightforward and follow consistent patterns, making them a great entry point into learning the language. Let’s check out how they are called:

0 – zero
1 – uno
2 – due
3 – tre
4 – quattro
5 – cinque
6 – sei
7 – sette
8 – otto
9 – nove
10 – dieci

Take note of the double consonants in quattro, sette, and otto. These sounds require a slight pause when pronounced, such as ‘set-teh’. Practising this small detail helps you sound more authentic when speaking Italian.

Practical uses of numbers in Italian

Now that you know how to pronounce the numbers from 1 to 10 in Italian, how about checking how some sentences will sound with them in place? Here are a few everyday scenarios:

1. Giving phone numbers

In Italian, phone numbers are typically communicated in pairs or groups of three digits, making them easier to remember and pronounce. This method reflects the language’s natural rhythm and helps facilitate smoother conversation.

For example:

02 349 26 78 becomes zero due, tre quattro nove, due sei, sette otto.

2. Talking about family members

Numbers are essential when talking about how many brothers, sisters, children or other relatives in Italian you have:

Ho un fratello. I have one brother.
Ho tre figli. I have three children or I have three sons.

If you don’t have siblings, you can say:

Non ho fratelli o sorelle. I don’t have brothers or sisters.

3. Ordering food

When ordering food in Italian, at a café or restaurant, you’ll probably use numbers to order if your friends or family accompany you. Check it out:

Vorrei due caffè. I’d like two coffees.
Tre gelati, per favore. Three ice creams, please.

4. Shopping

While shopping, numbers in Italian can also help you when asking for prices or quantities:

Quanto costa questo? How much does this cost?
Ne vorrei cinque, per favore. I’d like five of these, please.

Learning to count from 1 to 10 in Italian is more than just memorizing numbers – it’s a gateway to real-life conversations and cultural immersion. From ordering gelato to talking about your family, mastering these basics gives you the confidence to engage in everyday scenarios.

Ready to take your Italian learning further? Explore how to count beyond 10 in Italian and be ready to talk about dates, years and much more!

Episode 3 – High Five French

July 23, 2025February 27, 2015 by Coffee Break Languages

Join Emma and Mathilde in this ten-lesson podcast series for younger learners of French. In episode 3 you’ll learn to ask “how are you?” and how to answer the question.