Italian vocabulary: elementary (A2)
The 165 words and phrases taught in the elementary chapters, in the order the course teaches them. Press ▶ to hear each one.
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1. Talking about the past
From chapter 1: learn these words in context
- Com'è andato…?How was…? / How did… go? ·
- Che bello!How lovely! / That's great.
- la mostraexhibition · feminine
- mangiareto eat · = I ate
- la trattoriatrattoria, small family restaurant · feminine
- ieriyesterday · = last night
- tutto il giornoall day · = all evening
- leggereto read · = I read (past)
- il librobook · masculine
- uscireto go out · with : /
- il cinemacinema · masculine; the same in the plural
- il filmfilm · masculine; the same in the plural
- scorsolast · ,
- faago · after the time:
2. Travel and hotels
From chapter 2: learn these words in context
- prenotareto book, to reserve · = I've booked
- la camera doppiadouble room · feminine; a single room:
- la nottenight · feminine; plural:
- a nome…under the name… ·
- la carta d'identitàidentity card · feminine; = some ID
- la colazionebreakfast · feminine; = to have breakfast
- compresoincluded · feminine:
- il pianofloor, storey · masculine; = on the first floor
- la chiavekey · feminine; plural:
- l'aria condizionataair conditioning · feminine
- Non funziona.It doesn't work. · from (to work, of machines)
- mandareto send · = I'll send straight away
- Potrebbe…?Could you…? · very polite; from
- l'albergohotel · masculine; plural: ; also
3. At the doctor's
From chapter 3: learn these words in context
- Si accomodi.Please take a seat. / Please come in. · polite
- il dottore / la dottoressadoctor · also: ; before a name:
- Non mi sento bene.I don't feel well. · from (to feel)
- il mal di testaheadache · masculine; = I have a headache
- Mi fa male…My… hurts. · with more than one thing: …
- Da quando?Since when?
- la febbrefever, temperature · feminine; = I have a temperature
- la tossecough · feminine
- l'influenzaflu · feminine
- bereto drink · irregular: …
- la medicinamedicine · feminine
- lo sciropposyrup (medicine) · masculine
- tre volte al giornothree times a day · = time (occasion)
- seif · = if the fever goes away
4. Home and housing
From chapter 4: learn these words in context
- luminosobright, full of light · feminine:
- l'altrothe other one · feminine:
- l'appartamentoflat, apartment · masculine
- il bagnobathroom · masculine
- l'affittorent · masculine; = a month
- settecentoseven hundred · = 100, = 200, = 600, = 1,000
- caroexpensive; dear · = cheaper
- il centrotown centre · masculine; = in the centre
- il quartiereneighbourhood, area · masculine
- tranquilloquiet, calm · feminine:
- il negozioshop · masculine; plural:
- la fermata dell'autobusbus stop · feminine
- cercareto look for · : the h keeps the c hard; = to look for a place to live
- il compagno / la compagnapartner · also: classmate
5. Work and studies
From chapter 5: learn these words in context
- studiareto study · (one i)
- l'economiaeconomics; the economy · feminine
- l'universitàuniversity · feminine; the same in the plural
- la bancabank · feminine; = at the bank
- Com'era…?What was… like? · short for
- interessanteinteresting
- pocolittle, not much · = not much time; plural: ,
- Capisco.I see. / I understand. · from
- adessonow
- l'agenzia di viaggitravel agency · feminine
- parlareto speak · = Do you speak English? (Lei)
- l'ingleseEnglish (the language) · masculine; languages are written with a small letter
- lo studente / la studentessastudent · plural: ,
- il ristoranterestaurant · masculine
6. Weather and seasons
From chapter 6: learn these words in context
- il nonno / la nonnagrandfather / grandmother · , = Grandad, Grandma
- Che tempo fa?What's the weather like?
- fa freddoit's cold · = it's hot
- il gradodegree · masculine; = it's two degrees
- nevicareto snow · = it's snowing; = it's raining
- il solesun · masculine; = it's sunny
- l'invernowinter · masculine
- lungolong · feminine: ; : the h keeps the g hard
- PasquaEaster · = at Easter
- giàalready
- il maresea, seaside · masculine; = to go to the seaside
- Speriamo.Let's hope so. · from (to hope)
- le previsioniforecast · feminine plural; = according to the forecast
- Ci sentiamo.Talk to you soon. / Speak soon. · on the phone or in messages
7. Clothes and shopping
From chapter 7: learn these words in context
- La posso aiutare?Can I help you? · polite; = to help
- comprareto buy · = to buy clothes
- la camiciashirt · feminine; plural:
- troppotoo; too much · = too small
- cambiareto change; to exchange
- lo scontrinoreceipt · masculine
- eccolo / eccolahere it is · plural: /
- la tagliasize (clothes) · feminine; = it fits me
- volereto want · ; = Would you like to try it on?
- provareto try, to try on
- il camerinochanging room · masculine
- i pantalonitrousers · masculine plural
- la vetrinashop window · feminine; = in the window
- lo scontodiscount · masculine; = twenty per cent
8. Plans and invitations
From chapter 8: learn these words in context
- Non lo so.I don't know. · = it
- Ci vieni?Are you coming? · = there, to it
- il bigliettoticket · masculine
- neof it, of them · = How many (of them) shall I buy?
- Che ne dici di…?How about…? / What do you think about…? · with an infinitive
- insiemetogether
- Buona idea.Good idea.
- ci saràthere will be · future of ; plural:
- la gentepeople · feminine singular: …
- il Duomocathedral · masculine; the main church of a town
- finire di lavorareto finish work · …
- Facciamo…?Shall we say…? / Shall we make it…? · = Shall we say nine?
- Ci vediamo.See you. / We'll meet. · = see you at eight
9. Directions and transport
From chapter 9: learn these words in context
- Solo andata o andata e ritorno?Single or return?
- lìthere · with an accent
- il trenotrain · masculine; = by train
- il binarioplatform, track · masculine; = from platform four
- partireto leave, to depart · with in the past:
- in ritardolate, delayed · = ten minutes late
- prima dibefore · = before getting on
- salireto get on; to go up · irregular: …
- dimenticareto forget · = don't forget (Lei)
- convalidareto validate (a ticket) · in a machine, before you travel
- Da che parte…?Which way…? · = Which way is the platform?
- scendereto get off; to go down · = to go down the stairs
- le scalestairs · feminine plural
- Grazie mille.Thanks very much. · literally “a thousand thanks”
10. Describing people
From chapter 10: learn these words in context
- la festaparty · feminine
- divertirsito have fun, to enjoy yourself · = I had fun (a woman)
- conoscereto know (a person or place); to meet · = I met (for the first time)
- il ragazzo / la ragazzaboy, young man / girl, young woman · also: boyfriend / girlfriend
- simpaticonice, friendly · plural: ; = really nice
- Racconta!Tell me! · from (to tell a story)
- i capellihair · masculine plural
- gli occhieyes · masculine plural; singular:
- divertentefunny, fun
- timidoshy · feminine:
- Com'era vestito?What was he wearing? · for a woman:
- portareto wear; to bring, to carry
- elegantesmart, elegant
- scambiarsi il numeroto swap numbers · = we swapped numbers
11. Phone calls and messages
From chapter 11: learn these words in context
- lo studiooffice (of a professional); study · masculine; = Rinaldi's office
- l'architettoarchitect · masculine; used as a title:
- in questo momentoat the moment, right now
- sta parlandohe / she is speaking · + gerund
- il cliente / la clienteclient, customer
- lasciare un messaggioto leave a message
- direto say, to tell · irregular: …; = can you tell him
- il cognomesurname · masculine; = first name
- A come AnconaA for Ancona · spelling with town names
- Suoyour (polite) · = your number (Lei); feminine:
- telefonare ato phone, to call · = he'll phone you
- la fotophoto · feminine; the same in the plural:
- per e-mailby email · also: ; an email = or
12. A weekend away
From chapter 12: learn these words in context
- la montagnamountain; the mountains · feminine; = in the mountains
- benissimovery well, really good · + -issimo
- la passeggiatawalk · feminine; = to go for a walk
- carinopretty, lovely, cute · feminine:
- Non ci sono mai stato.I've never been there. · a woman says:
- Ne vale la pena.It's worth it.
- prossimonext · ,
- qualchesome, a few · always with a singular noun: ,
- il consigliopiece of advice · masculine; plural: = advice
- la macchinacar · feminine
- da bambinoas a child · a woman says:
- ricordarsito remember · = I don't remember
- Mandami…Send me… · +
Other levels: Beginner (A1) · Intermediate (B1) · Upper intermediate (B2)