Struggling to Parla Italiano? 50+ Everyday Italian Phrases Every Chicago Professional Should Know

CIAP professionals connecting at a networking event

You don’t need to be fluent to make a warm first impression in Italian. A greeting, a thoughtful introduction, or a genuine attempt to speak someone’s language can open the door to a memorable conversation—at a client meeting, a community event, or over coffee in Chicago.

This practical phrasebook gives you more than 50 everyday expressions for business and social settings, including how to say “Do you speak Italian?” and “Where are you from?” We’ve included simple pronunciation guides, too. They’re approximations to help you get started, not a substitute for listening and practice.

Professionals greeting one another in a warmly lit lobby

First, a quick note on formal and informal Italian

Italian has different ways to address someone, depending on how well you know them and the setting. Lei is the polite, formal “you”; tu is the informal “you.” When meeting a new business contact, Lei is a thoughtful default. Listen to how the other person addresses you, and follow their lead.

That’s why you’ll see two versions of questions like “Do you speak Italian?” The verb ending changes with the form of “you.”

Greetings and good first impressions

  1. Buongiorno. — Good morning / good day.
  2. Buonasera. — Good evening.
  3. Ciao. — Hi / bye. Informal; best with people you know.
  4. Piacere. — Nice to meet you.
  5. Molto piacere. — Very pleased to meet you.
  6. Come sta? — How are you? (formal)
  7. Come stai? — How are you? (informal)
  8. Bene, grazie. E Lei? — Well, thank you. And you? (formal)
  9. Sto bene, grazie. — I’m well, thank you.
  10. Arrivederci. — Goodbye. (polite)
  11. A presto. — See you soon.

A simple way to begin: Buongiorno, sono [your name]. Piacere. That means “Good morning, I’m [your name]. Nice to meet you.”

How to ask and answer “Where are you from?” in Italian

If you’re searching for where you from in Italian, the key phrase is Di dove sei? It means “Where are you from?” and is informal. In a first business meeting, use the polite form Di dov’è Lei?

  1. Di dove sei? — Where are you from? (informal)
  2. Di dov’è Lei? — Where are you from? (formal)
  3. Sono di Chicago. — I’m from Chicago.
  4. Sono di [city]. — I’m from [city].
  5. Vengo da [city]. — I come from / I’m from [city].
  6. Sei di Chicago? — Are you from Chicago? (informal)
  7. È di Chicago? — Are you from Chicago? (formal)
  8. Sono italiano / Sono italiana. — I’m Italian. (Choose the form that fits the speaker.)
  9. Sono di Napoli, ma vivo a Chicago. — I’m from Naples, but I live in Chicago.

A useful distinction: di dove means “from where.” The small word di matters. Dov’è? on its own means “Where is he, she, or it?”—not “Where are you from?”

A short exchange might sound like this:

A: Buongiorno, sono Elena. Piacere.
B: Piacere! Di dov’è Lei?
A: Sono di Chicago. E Lei?
B: Sono di Roma, ma vivo a Chicago.

Colleagues practicing Italian together at a café

Asking “Do you speak Italian?” and keeping the conversation going

The phrase Parla italiano? means “Do you speak Italian?” when you’re speaking formally or politely to one person. For someone you know well, say Parli italiano? The difference is the last vowel: Parla for formal Lei, parli for informal tu.

  1. Parla italiano? — Do you speak Italian? (formal)
  2. Parli italiano? — Do you speak Italian? (informal)
  3. Sì, parlo italiano. — Yes, I speak Italian.
  4. Parlo un po’ d’italiano. — I speak a little Italian.
  5. Sto imparando l’italiano. — I’m learning Italian.
  6. Capisco un po’, ma parlo poco. — I understand a little, but speak very little.
  7. Parla inglese? — Do you speak English? (formal)
  8. Possiamo parlare in inglese? — Can we speak in English?
  9. Può ripetere, per favore? — Can you repeat that, please? (formal)
  10. Puoi ripetere? — Can you repeat that? (informal)
  11. Più lentamente, per favore. — More slowly, please.
  12. Non ho capito. — I didn’t understand.
  13. Ho capito. — I understood.
  14. Come si dice “meeting” in italiano? — How do you say “meeting” in Italian?
  15. Cosa significa? — What does it mean?

A small pronunciation tip: Parla sounds roughly like PAR-lah, and parli like PAR-lee. In piacere, “ci” sounds like “ch,” so it’s approximately pya-cheh-reh. Don’t worry about getting every sound perfect—being understood and staying curious are a terrific start.

Useful phrases for a business conversation

You can use these to introduce your work, ask about someone else’s, and make a clear next step.

  1. Di cosa si occupa? — What do you do? (formal)
  2. Che lavoro fai? — What do you do for work? (informal)
  3. In che settore lavora? — What industry do you work in? (formal)
  4. Lavoro in [settore]. — I work in [industry].
  5. Lavoro come [ruolo]. — I work as a [role].
  6. Mi occupo di [attività]. — I work in / I handle [area of work].
  7. È un piacere conoscerla. — It’s a pleasure to meet you. (formal)
  8. Ecco il mio biglietto da visita. — Here’s my business card.
  9. Può mandarmi i dettagli? — Can you send me the details? (formal)
  10. Le mando un’email. — I’ll send you an email. (formal)
  11. Restiamo in contatto. — Let’s stay in touch.
  12. Sono d’accordo. — I agree.
  13. Non sono sicuro / sicura. — I’m not sure.
  14. Mi interessa. — I’m interested.
  15. Va bene. — That works / okay.

For a practical networking exchange, try: Di cosa si occupa? followed by Lavoro in [industry]. E Lei? (“I work in [industry]. And you?”). It’s simple, polite, and invites the other person into the conversation.

Everyday courtesies you’ll use everywhere

  1. Grazie. — Thank you.
  2. Prego. — You’re welcome / go ahead.
  3. Per favore. — Please.
  4. Scusi. — Excuse me. (formal)
  5. Mi dispiace. — I’m sorry.
  6. Nessun problema. — No problem.
  7. Certamente. — Certainly.
  8. Un caffè, per favore. — A coffee, please.
  9. Il conto, per favore. — The bill, please.
  10. È stato un piacere. — It was a pleasure.
  11. Buon lavoro. — Have a good day at work.
  12. Ci vediamo presto. — See you soon.

Keep practicing—one conversation at a time

You don’t have to memorize all 62 phrases before you use one. Start with Buongiorno, introduce yourself, and ask Di dov’è Lei? when the moment feels right. If someone asks Parla italiano?, it’s perfectly fine to answer Parlo un po’ or Sto imparando l’italiano. A little effort can make an introduction feel more personal.

For more opportunities to connect with Chicagoland’s Italian-American professional community, explore CIAP events and the Business Directory. CIAP’s monthly breakfast meetings begin in January 2027; members can also explore guest speaker opportunities and the Young Professionals Committee. Learn more about CIAP membership, and stay in touch at salvatore@chicagolanditalians.com.

For additional listening and practice, see ItalianPod101’s guide to business introductions and Daily Italian Words’ explanation of Di dove sei?. Buona fortuna—and enjoy the conversation!