Italian vocabulary: upper intermediate (B2)
The 166 words and phrases taught in the upper intermediate chapters, in the order the course teaches them. Press ▶ to hear each one.
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1. Discussing and debating
From chapter 1: learn these words in context
- il centro storicoold town, historic centre
- il trafficotraffic
- innanzituttofirst of all
- inoltrewhat's more, also, besides
- il parcheggiocar park; parking space
- tuttaviahowever, nevertheless
- respirareto breathe
- d'altra parteon the other hand
- strettonarrow; tight
- attraversareto cross, to go through
- il commercianteshopkeeper, trader · for a woman
- eppureand yet
- fermarsito stop, to stay · = he / she stops
- nonostantealthough (+ congiuntivo); despite (+ noun)
2. Work in depth
From chapter 2: learn these words in context
- fare il puntoto take stock, to see where things stand
- la trattativanegotiation
- il fornitoresupplier
- il preventivoquote, estimate (of a price)
- dare del tu ato say “tu” to someone · = to use ; = to use with each other
- la consegnadelivery
- cedereto give in, to give way
- l'offertaoffer · feminine
- Non ti preoccupare.Don't worry. · Lei:
- Complimenti.Well done. / Congratulations.
- puntare suto focus on, to bet on
- garantireto guarantee · like : ,
- fammi saperelet me know · Lei:
3. Film, books and media
From chapter 3: learn these words in context
- la metàhalf · = I'm halfway through
- soprattuttoespecially, above all
- all'inizioat first, at the beginning
- lentoslow
- la tramaplot, storyline
- sbarcareto land (from a ship)
- stare perto be about to · = it's about to end
- il personaggiocharacter (in a story)
- la frasesentence; line, saying
- rimanereto stay, to remain · irregular: , ; congiuntivo
- pubblicareto publish
- rifiutareto turn down, to refuse
- l'editorepublisher · masculine; = publishing house
- il gruppo di letturabook club, reading group
4. Science and technology
From chapter 4: learn these words in context
- la pompa di caloreheat pump · = heat
- spiegareto explain · = I'll explain to you (Lei)
- scaldareto heat, to warm up
- esternooutside, external · the opposite is
- il termosifoneradiator
- consumareto use (energy), to consume
- la caldaiaboiler
- la bollettabill (for gas, electricity, water, phone)
- il pannello solaresolar panel
- spegnereto switch off, to turn off · irregular participle:
- regolareto set, to adjust
- lo schermoscreen
- pulireto clean · like :
- abituarsi ato get used to · = you get used to it
5. Society and the environment
From chapter 5: learn these words in context
- il fiumeriver
- temereto fear, to be afraid
- l'arginebank (of a river), embankment · masculine; = to burst its banks
- il volontario / la volontariavolunteer
- togliereto remove, to take off · irregular: ,
- il fangomud
- preoccupareto worry · = it worries me that
- il fossoditch
- la manutenzionemaintenance · = to maintain
- il contadino / la contadinafarmer
- la siccitàdrought
- sprecareto waste
- investireto invest · = (if) more was invested
- l'incontromeeting · masculine; from
6. Public life
From chapter 6: learn these words in context
- la sedutameeting, session (of a council or parliament)
- il consiglio comunaletown council, city council
- approvareto approve, to pass (a law or plan)
- la linealine; route (of a bus or train)
- la maggioranzamajority
- il consigliere / la consiglieracouncillor
- l'opposizionethe opposition · feminine
- il cittadino / la cittadinacitizen, resident
- promettereto promise · like :
- dichiarareto state, to declare
- il Comunetown council; town hall · also a town or municipality
- rispondereto answer, to reply · participle:
- votareto vote · = vote
- l'ascoltatore / l'ascoltatricelistener
7. Education and learning
From chapter 7: learn these words in context
- iscriversito enrol, to sign up · like :
- Letterehumanities, arts (at university) · feminine plural
- ricominciareto start again
- eccomihere I am · +
- l'esameexam · masculine; = to take an exam
- la laureauniversity degree
- triennalethree-year · = the three-year degree
- frequentareto attend; to go to (regularly)
- la lezionelesson, lecture, class
- ormainow, by now; (with a negative idea) too late now
- seguireto follow; to take (a course)
- come seas if · + congiuntivo imperfetto or trapassato
- laurearsito graduate
- pentirsi dito regret · = I regret
8. Idioms and everyday speech
From chapter 8: learn these words in context
- Come mai?How come? Why?
- la facciaface
- non vedo l'oraI can't wait · = I can't wait to leave
- essere in gambato be capable, to be good at things
- essere al verdeto be broke
- costare un occhio della testato cost an arm and a leg
- tipolike, about (informal)
- vabbèoh well, never mind · short for
- prendere due piccioni con una favato kill two birds with one stone · literally: to catch two pigeons with one bean
- praticamentebasically, practically
- acqua in boccakeep it to yourself, don't tell anyone
- mica(makes a negative stronger) not at all, really
- fare le ore piccoleto stay up very late
- In bocca al lupo! – Crepi!Good luck! – Thanks! · literally: into the wolf's mouth – may it die
9. Humour and informal language
From chapter 9: learn these words in context
- il cacciuccocacciucco (Livorno fish stew)
- Non me ne parlare.Don't even mention it. (about something bad)
- un sacco diloads of, a lot of (informal)
- il pescefish
- bruciareto burn
- ridereto laugh · participle:
- prenderselato get upset, to take offence · = he / she got upset
- andarseneto leave, to go away · = they left
- Figurati!Of course! / Just imagine! / Don't mention it!
- farcelato manage, to make it · = I managed
- cavarselato get by, to cope · = we got by
- scherzareto joke · = I'm joking!
- avercela conto be cross with, to have it in for · = he's cross with me
- smetterlato stop it · = Stop it!
10. Formal writing
From chapter 10: learn these words in context
- la compagnia aereaairline
- la valigiasuitcase · plural:
- la letteraletter
- segnalareto report, to point out
- lo smarrimentoloss (formal) · = to lose (formal)
- il bagaglioluggage, baggage
- Parla come mangi!Say it plainly! · literally: speak the way you eat
- il voloflight
- aggiungereto add · participle:
- la denunciareport (to the police or an office) · / = to report, to file a report
- le speseexpenses, costs · = to incur expenses
- il rimborsorefund
- allegareto attach, to enclose · = attached
11. Giving a presentation
From chapter 11: learn these words in context
- il liutaio / la liutaiaviolin maker · = violin making
- a manoby hand
- per prima cosafirst, first of all
- la bottegaworkshop (of a craftsman); small shop
- il mestieretrade, craft, job
- il legnowood
- infattiin fact, indeed
- l'abete e l'acerospruce (fir) and maple · both masculine
- invecchiareto age; (of wood) to season
- passare ato move on to · … = let's move on to…
- il visitatore / la visitatricevisitor
- se ho capito beneif I've understood correctly
- delicatodelicate
- fare i contito do the sums, to work out the costs
12. Final review
From chapter 12: learn these words in context
- Quanto tempo!It's been ages! Long time no see!
- palermitanofrom Palermo; person from Palermo
- il concorsocompetitive exam (for public jobs); competition
- la filosofiaphilosophy
- cambiare ideato change your mind
- il / la giornalistajournalist
- il veterinario / la veterinariavet
- il giornalenewspaper
- l'animaleanimal · masculine
- il marito / la mogliehusband / wife · plural:
- fare due chiacchiereto have a chat
- la prova oraleoral exam
- consegnareto hand in, to deliver
- anziactually, or rather; on the contrary
Other levels: Beginner (A1) · Elementary (A2) · Intermediate (B1)