Category Books

Italian Phrases for Dummies » (Bilingual)

Book cover image of Italian Phrases for Dummies by Francesca Romana Onofri

Authors: Francesca Romana Onofri (Editor), Karen Antje Moller
ISBN-13: 9780764572036, ISBN-10: 0764572032
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Wiley, John & Sons, Incorporated
Date Published: July 2004
Edition: Bilingual

Author Biography: Francesca Romana Onofri

After her university studies in linguistics and Spanish and English language and literature, Francesca Romana Onofri lived abroad for several years to better her understanding of the cultures and languages of different countries. In Spain and Ireland, she worked as an Italian and Spanish teacher, as well as a translator and interpreter at cultural events. In Germany, she was responsible for communication and special events at a museum of modern art, but even then she never gave up her passion for languages: She was an Italian coach and teacher at the Opera Studio of the Cologne Opera House and did translations — especially in the art field. Back in Italy, Francesca has edited several Italian books and works as a translator of art books, as well as a cultural events organizer and educator.

Karen Möller is currently studying Italian and English linguistics, literature, and culture. Before entering academia, Karen worked in the field of public relations and wrote articles for all kinds of fashion magazines and newspapers. She has had the occasion to work on German-Italian projects, including verb, vocabulary, and grammar handbooks and Italian exercise books.

Book Synopsis

Hundreds of useful phrases at your fingertips

Speak Italian – instantly!

Shopping. Ordering dinner. Chatting about the weather. Talking about your family. Dealing with emergencies. Whether you’re a traveler or student, this handy Italian phrase book

Discover how to:

Get directions, shop, and eat out
Talk numbers, dates, time, and money
Chat about family and work
Discuss sports and the weather
Deal with problems and emergencies

	Introduction	1
	About This Book	1
	Conventions Used in This Book	2
	Foolish Assumptions	3
	Icons Used in This Book	3
	Where to Go from Here	4
Chapter 1	I Say It How? Speaking Italian	5
	You Already Know Some Italian	6
	Words that sound familiar	7
	Popular expressions	8
	Mouthing Off: Basic Pronunciation	10
	The vowel "a"	10
	The vowel "e"	11
	The vowel "i"	11
	The vowel "o"	11
	The vowel "u"	11
	Consonants that sound the same in Italian as they do in English	11
	The consonant "c"	12
	The consonant "g"	13
	The consonant "h"	14
	The consonant "q"	14
	The consonant "r"	14
	The consonant "s"	15
	The consonant "z"	15
	Double consonants	15
	Consonant clusters	16
	Stressing Words Properly	16
Chapter 2	Grammar on a Diet: Just the Basics	19
	Setting Up Simple Sentences	19
	Coping with Gendered Words (Articles and Adjectives)	21
	Definite feminine articles	21
	Definite masculine articles	22
	The indefinite feminine article	23
	Indefinite masculine articles	23
	Adjectives	23
	Talking about Pronouns	25
	Personal pronouns	25
	Direct object pronouns	27
	Indirect object pronouns	28
	Saying "you": Formal and informal	30
	Asking Questions	31
	Introducing Regular and Irregular Verbs	33
	Regular verbs	33
	Irregular verbs	36
	Presenting the Simple Tenses: Past, Present, and Future	38
	Past tense	38
	Present tense	42
	Future tense	42
Chapter 3	Numerical Gumbo: Counting of All Kinds	45
	Counting Cardinals	45
	Ordering Ordinals	49
	Talking about Time	50
	The four seasons	50
	Decades	51
	Months of the year	51
	Days of the week	52
	Times of day	53
	Being early or late	54
	Getting Addresses and Phone Numbers	55
	Talking about streets	56
	Describing your home	56
	Using the verbs "vivere" and "abitare"	57
	Money, Money, Money	58
	Going to the bank	59
	Changing money	61
Chapter 4	Making New Friends and Enjoying Small Talk	63
	Looking at Common Greetings and Good-byes	63
	Deciding whether to address someone formally or informally	65
	Responding to a greeting	65
	Specifying your reuniting	66
	Finding Out Whether Someone Speaks English	67
	Begging Your Pardon?	69
	Making Introductions	69
	Introducing yourself	70
	Introducing other people	71
	Getting Acquainted	73
	Talking about where you come from	73
	Being you, being there: Using the verbs "essere" and "stare"	78
	Talking about yourself and your family	81
	Chatting about the weather	82
Chapter 5	Enjoying a Drink and a Snack (Or Meal)	85
	Eating and Drinking, Italian Style	85
	The Start and Finish of Dining Out	90
	Making reservations	90
	Paying for your meal	91
	Having Breakfast	92
	Eating Lunch and Dinner	93
	Savoring Italian soups and pasta dishes	94
	Using the verbs "prendere" and "volere"	95
	Ordering from the menu	97
	Savoring Dessert	99
Chapter 6	Shop 'til You Drop!	101
	Departmentalizing Your Shopping	102
	Talking with a Sales Clerk	104
	Sizing Up Italian Sizes	105
	Choosing Colors and Fabrics	106
	Accessorizing	108
	Stepping Out in Style	109
	Shopping for Food	109
	Meats	110
	Seafood	110
	Produce	111
	Baked goods	113
	Paying for Your Purchases	114
Chapter 7	Making Leisure a Top Priority	117
	Acquiring Culture	118
	Going to the movies	119
	Choosing your seat at the theater	121
	Going to a concert	122
	Inviting Fun	123
	Getting Out and About	125
	Enjoying the wonders of nature	125
	Taking a tour	127
	Playing sports	128
Chapter 8	When You Gotta Work	133
	Talking Shop	133
	Common professions	134
	The human element	135
	Office equipment	136
	Chatting on the Phone	137
	Calling from a public phone	138
	Calling for business or pleasure	139
	Asking for People and Leaving a Message	141
Chapter 9	I Get Around: Transportation	145
	Getting through the Airport	145
	Checking in	146
	Waiting to board the plane	147
	Taking care of business after landing	148
	Going through customs	148
	Renting a Car	149
	Navigating Public Transportation	151
	Taking a taxi	151
	Getting around by train	152
	Going by bus or tram	153
	Asking for Directions	154
	Asking for specific places	155
	Getting oriented	156
	Asking how far something is	159
	Verbs on the move	159
	Locations you may be looking for	161
Chapter 10	Finding a Place to Lay Your Weary Head	163
	Reserving a Room	163
	Checking in and Getting Settled	166
	Using Plurals and Pronouns	170
	Making more in Italian	170
	Personalizing pronouns	173
Chapter 11	Dealing with Emergencies	177
	Dealing with Car Trouble	178
	Talking to Doctors	180
	I've Been Robbed! Knowing What to Do and Say When the Police Arrive	185
	When You Need a Lawyer	187
Chapter 12	Ten Favorite Italian Expressions	189
	Mamma mia! (My goodness!)	189
	Che bello! (How lovely!)	189
	Uffa! (Aargh!)	189
	Che ne so! (How should I know?)	189
	Magari! (If only!)	189
	Ti sta bene! (Serves you right!)	190
	Non te la prendere! (Don't get so upset! / Don't think about it!)	190
	Che macello! (What a mess!)	190
	Non mi va! (I don't feel like it!)	190
	Mi raccomando! (Please, I beg you!)	190
Chapter 13	Ten Phrases That Make You Sound Like a Local	191
	In bocca al lupo! (Good luck!)	191
	Acqua in bocca! (Don't say a word!)	191
	Salute! (Bless you!)	191
	Macche! (Of course not! / Certainly not!)	192
	Neanche per sogno! (In your dreams!)	192
	Peggio per te! (Too bad for you!)	192
	Piantala! (Stop it!)	192
	Vacci piano! (Slow down! / Take it easy!)	192
	Gatta ci cova! (There's something fishy going on!)	193
	Sono nel pallone! (I'm fulstered!)	193
	Index	195