Ducati Sporting Club UK > General > Idle Chat > Help please Broggins, or any other Italian speakers

[BDG]

After our brief chat at Oulton with my imminent trip to go off roading on the bikes in the Alps and my total lack of Italian any chance you could please supply me a few basic words and phrases so i can be slightly less ignorant.

Stuff like

I'm glad you won the world cup, so can i please have free drinks all night please especially as i own a Ducati.

Please don't laugh but even the basics such as
Yes
No
Hello
Please
Thanks
Which way is...
3 beers please
Have you a room please.
Your daughter is beautifull
Please put the shotgun down

Grazi

Ciao.

[domski]

Sì.
No.
Per favore.
Grazie.
Quale senso è.
3 birre per favore.
Avete prego una stanza.
La vostra figlia è bella.
Metta prego la pistola giù.

...ish

[BDG]

cheers Dom that was quick, i've added on Hello as well just to be awkward.

Lets make this a bit of fun and see what people would suggest is the one phrase they would add apart from the obvious already mentioned.

Grazie and Ciao are about my current limit so even numbers from 1 to 10 would also be helpfull.

Yes i know i can and should buy a phrase book.

cheers marra

[jeff st4s]

After just coming back from Mugello and not speaking a word of Italian, I found it sounded close to French (no offence ment Fabio) so I understood a few things that way, also if you listen to the person in front and what they say you'll find that you'll pick up a few bits.
Just dive in both feet first, you can always point and then talk loudly if you get nowhere.
I have to say I found Italy and the people I met were excellent, they speak several languages so don't worry.

[Tonio600]

Originally Posted by BDG

Lets make this a bit of fun and see what people would suggest is the one phrase they would add apart from the obvious already mentioned.

"I'm sorry for the football mate, you played well but we were better..."

[Rushjob]

Shaun, this may be of use.....

" No, equilibro sempre la mia birra sulla mia testa...... "

[Brogins]

Ok man, Dom was quite good...

here the grammatically correct version.. you will look like a local!!!

Sì.
No.
Per favore.
Grazie.
IN CHE DIREZIONE E'
3 birre per favore.
PER FAVORE AVETE UNA STANZA?
(La) - vostra figlia è bella.
PER FAVORE METTA GIU' LA PISTOLA (I am sure it will not happen..!!)

Jeff is right, you probably will not have a lot of problems... people will try to communicate in English.... not like the French :-) (I am giving hard time to Tonio today!!!..:-) )

"I'm sorry for the football mate, you played well but we were better.."

I really don't think you will need to know this sentence in Italian as It will not happen.. :-) .... !!!!

I would add:

QUANTO COSTA? - How much it is (moneywise)
BUONGIORNO - Goodmorning
BUONANOTTE - Goodnight (after 8 PM..)
QUANTO TEMPO E' NECESSARIO PER.... - How long is going to take for.......
LA DUCATI E' LA MOTO PIU' BELLA DEL MONDO - the duke is the most beautiful bike of the world...
SONO UN MOTOCICLISTA - I am a Motorcycle rider
.....

Ciao,
Brogins

[Eamonn]

Only drink cappacino in the morning (it's a breakfast drink)

In the afternoons/evenings only have Expresso (the king of coffee) - resorting to an 'Americano' (a watered down Expresso) is for wimps !

When asking for something start with :
Vorrei del - I want some ......
or
Vorrei un - I want a .....

Numbers 1 to 10:
uno
due
tre
quattro
cinque
sei
sette
otto
nove
diece

The letter 'c' is always pronounced 'ch' when there's a vowel after it - so cinque is pronounced 'chin-kwey'


If you try to talk in Italian, the Italians will often try to respond in English.... You can have a great time both talking in languages that neither are very good at !

HTH, and have a great time !

[Jools]

Originally Posted by Eamonn

Only drink cappacino in the morning (it's a breakfast drink)

In the afternoons/evenings only have Expresso (the king of coffee) - resorting to an 'Americano' (a watered down Expresso) is for wimps !

Or if they don't understand 'Expresso' try Espresso

[BDG]

Originally Posted by Rushjob

Shaun, this may be of use.....

" No, equilibro sempre la mia birra sulla mia testa...... "

OK but what does it mean... "Please pour the beer over my head"

A million thanks to you all, shame i'm going on the KTM, don't fancy getting the Ducati to 10,000 ft off road