Learn Italian for Students

Academic vocabulary and phrases useful for studying abroad or taking language courses.

Why Learn Italian as a Student?

Knowing Italian vocabulary specific to your context lets you communicate effectively from day one. Instead of memorizing random word lists, you focus on the 40 words and phrases you will actually use. This guide draws from topics including Pronunciation & Basics, Meeting People, Numbers & Time, My World.

Essential Vocabulary (40 words)

WordPronunciationMeaning
amore/amˈore/love
idea/idˈɛa/idea
uno/ˈuno/one
capelli/kapˈellɪ/hair
cappelli/kapːˈɛllɪ/hats
aglio/ˈaʎo/garlic
famiglia/famˈiʎa/family
lasagna/lazˈaɲɲa/lasagna
chiavi/kjˈavɪ/keys
Buongiorno/bʊondʒˈɔrno/Good morning / Good day
Buonasera/bwˌɔnasˈera/Good evening
per favore/per favˈore/please
grazie/ɡrˈatsje/thank you
scusa/skˈuza/excuse me
Io sono/ˈio sˈono/I am
di/dˈi/of / from
Roma/rˈoma/Rome
come ti chiami?/kˌome tɪ kjˈamɪ/what is your name?
di dove sei?/dɪ dˈove sˈɛi/where are you from?
come stai?/kˌome stˈaj/how are you?
tu/tˈu/you (informal)
Lei/lˈɛi/you (formal)
americano/amerikˈano/American
italiano/italiˈano/Italian
parlo/pˈarlo/I speak
arrivederci/arɾivedˈɛrtʃɪ/goodbye
a presto/a prˈɛsto/see you soon
dieci/djˈɛtʃɪ/ten
venti/vˈɛntɪ/twenty
pezzi/pˈɛtsːɪ/pieces
cento/tʃˈɛnto/one hundred
mille/mˈille/one thousand
Che ore sono?/ke ˈore sˈono/What time is it?
Sono le.../sˌono lˈe/It is... (plural)
È l'una/e lˈuna/It is one o'clock
lunedì/lʊnedˈi/Monday
sabato/sˈabato/Saturday
domenica/domˈenika/Sunday
mese/mˈɛze/month
stagione/stadʒˈone/season

Related Topics

Pronunciation & BasicsMeeting PeopleNumbers & TimeMy World

Frequently Asked Questions

What Italian words should students learn first?+

Focus on practical vocabulary you will use most often. This guide covers 56 essential words from topics like Pronunciation & Basics, Meeting People, Numbers & Time, and more.

How long does it take to learn Italian as a student?+

It depends on your native language and study intensity. With consistent daily practice, you can build functional vocabulary for students within a few weeks. Orphi helps you practice through natural conversation.

Is Italian hard for students to learn?+

Every language has its challenges, but focusing on vocabulary relevant to your situation makes learning more efficient and motivating. This guide gives you exactly the words you need.

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