Italian vowels are pronounced very openly. The letter r is trilled as in Spanish.
affresco (ah-FRES-coh). Fresco (painting made on wet plaster).
apprendista (ap-pren-DEE-stah). Apprentice.
attento (ah-TEN-toh). Be careful.
bravo (BRAH-voh). Good; well done.
bucchero (BOO-keh-roh). Black Etruscan pottery with finely incised geometric designs.
buongiorno (buohn-JOR-noh). Good morning; hello.
caffè (cah-FEH). Coffee.
cara (CAH-rah). Dear.
C’hai [Hai] ancora fame? (cheye [rhymes with eye] ahn-COH-rah FAH-meh). Are you still hungry?
che bello (keh BEH-loh). How beautiful.
che caldo (keh CAHL-doh). How hot it is.
ciao (chow). Hi; bye.
d’accordo (dah-COHR-doh). Agreed.
dormiva (dor-MEE-vah). He was sleeping.
è qui (eh KWEE). He’s here.
ecco (EH-coh). That’s it; there it is.
eh già (eh jah). Oh, right.
fiorentini (fior-en-TEE-nee). Florentines; people from Florence.
grazie (GRAH-tsieh). Thanks; thank you.
malocchio (mahl-OKE-yo). Evil eye.
molto bravo (MOLE-toh BRAH-voh). Excellent.
Permesso? (per-MEH-soh). May I come in?
rosetta (roh-ZET-tah). A crusty roll made in and near Rome.
scintillando (sheen-tee-LAHN-doh). Shining; glittering.
sì (see). Yes.
Su, andiamo! (soo, ahn-DIAH-moh). Come on, let’s go!
ti adoro (tee ah-DOH-roh). I adore you.
Tu proverai si come sa di sale lo pane altrui (too proh-veh-REYE [rhymes with eye] see coh-meh sa dee SAH-leh loh PAH-neh al-TROO-ee). You will find out how salty other people’s bread tastes.
Vieni qui! Ho trovato qualcosa! (VIEH-nee kwee! oh troh-VAH-toh kwal-COH-sah). Come here! I found something!