Italian For Dummies

Learn to speak Italian with ease and confidence

Buon giorno! If you′re looking to reach a comfort level in conversational Italian, this hands–on, friendly guide gets you speaking like a native. Here, you′ll find expanded coverage of the necessary grammar, major verb tenses, and conjugations that beginners need to know. Plus, you′ll get a fully updated and expanded audio CD that includes real–life conversations, a refreshed and expanded mini–dictionary, more useful exercises and practice opportunities, and more.

Italian 101 — learn how to pronounce the Italian alphabet, numbers, and common words, and get a handle on the basic grammar you′ll need to know as you′re working through the book

Ciao down — start practicing your Italian–speaking skills in everyday situations, like asking for directions to the Colosseum or expressing your love for espresso

Start talkin′ the talk — get the know–how to confidently navigate public transportation, find a hotel room, change money, and handle an emergency on your excursion in Italy

The power of dieci (ten) — discover ten ways to pick up Italian quickly, ten things never to say in Italian, ten favorite Italian expressions, and ten phrases that′ll make people think you′re a local

Open the book and find:

How to make sense of Italian grammar

Tips to improve your pronunciation

Strategies to get a handle on verb conjugations

Idioms and popular expressions

Advice on getting around in Italy

Fun games and activities to reinforce learning

Dialogues throughout the book and on the accompanying CD

Bonus CD Includes

Over 30 real–life conversations that reinforce lessons from the book

Learn to:

Speak Italian quickly and effectively

Grasp basic grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciations

Practice along with the accompanying audio CD

Part I: Getting Started 7

Chapter 1: Saying It Like It Is 9

Chapter 2: Jumping Into the Basics of Italian 21

Chapter 3: Buongiorno! Salutations! 43

Chapter 4: Getting Your Numbers and Time Straight 63

Part II: Italian in Action 83

Chapter 5: Casa dolce casa (Home Sweet Home) 85

Chapter 6: Where Is the Colosseum? Asking Directions 103

Chapter 7: Food Glorious Food — and Don′t Forget the Drink 119

Chapter 8: Shopping, Italian Style 139

Chapter 9: Having Fun Out on the Town 151

Chapter 10: Taking Care of Business and Telecommunicating 173

Chapter 11: Recreation and the Outdoors 191

Part III: Italian on the Go 207

Chapter 12: Planning a Trip 209

Chapter 13: Money, Money, Money 221

Chapter 14: Getting Around: Planes, Trains, Taxis, and Buses 233

Chapter 15: Finding a Place to Stay 255

Chapter 16: Handling Emergencies 271

Chapter 17: Small Talk, Wrapping Things Up 293

Part IV: The Part of Tens 313

Chapter 18: Ten Ways to Pick Up Italian Quickly 315

Chapter 19: Ten Things Never to Say in Italian 319

Chapter 20: Ten Favorite Italian Expressions 323

Chapter 21: Ten Phrases to Say So That People Think You′re Italian 327

Part V: Appendixes 331

Appendix A: Verb Tables 333

Appendix B: Dictionaries 347

Appendix C: About the CD 359

Appendix D: Answer Keys 361

Index 369

Berlitz has taught languages to millions of people for more than 130 years. Francesca Romana Onofri and Karen Antje Moller are veteran language teachers. Teresa L. Picarazzi, PhD, teaches Italian at The Hopkins School and has lived and worked in Cortona, Florence, Ravenna, Siena, and Urbino.