Accents even Italians get wrong in Italian

1. 1
   perché/perˈke/

   whyadverb

   You use it to ask the reason for something.
2. 2
   caffè/kafˈfɛ/

   coffeenoun

   A dark, bitter drink that's drunk hot, made from roasted beans.
3. 3
   tè/tɛ/

   teanoun

   A hot drink made by leaving dried leaves in boiling water.
4. 4
   cioè/tʃoˈɛ/

   that isadverb

   You say it to explain better or correct what you just said.
5. 5
   così/koˈzi/

   like thisadverb

   In this way, the way you're showing or have just described.
6. 6
   giù/dʒu/

   downadverb

   Toward the bottom.
7. 7
   più/pju/

   moreadjective

   In a greater quantity than before or than something else.
8. 8
   società/sotʃeˈta/

   companynoun

   A business founded by several partners.
9. 9
   età/eˈta/

   agenoun

   The number of years a person has lived.
10. 10
    lunedì/luneˈdi/

    Mondaynoun

    The first day of the week.

The sentences

1. Scusi, perché il bar oggi chiude così presto?

   Excuse me, why is the bar closing so early today?

2. Per me un caffè, e per lui un tè.

   A coffee for me, and a tea for him.

3. Vorrei un tè caldo con del latte, per favore.

   I'd like a hot tea with some milk, please.

4. Arrivo tra dieci minuti, cioè appena finisco di lavorare.

   I'll be there in ten minutes, I mean as soon as I finish work.

5. Non ti preoccupare, va bene anche così.

   Don't worry, this is fine too.

6. Ti aspetto giù al bar sotto casa.

   I'll wait for you downstairs at the bar below your place.

7. Posso avere un caffè più lungo, per favore?

   Could I have a longer coffee, please?

8. Mio fratello lavora per una società di trasporti.

   My brother works for a transport company.

9. Alla tua età non bevevo ancora il caffè.

   At your age I didn't drink coffee yet.

10. Il bar è chiuso il lunedì mattina.

    The bar is closed on Monday mornings.

Pronunciation

• perché/perˈke/

  The final e is closed, narrower than the one in caffè.

• caffè/kafˈfɛ/

  Stress on the last syllable and a long f: caf-FÈ, with an open e.

• tè/tɛ/

  Just one syllable, with an open e.

• cioè/tʃoˈɛ/

  Two syllables, cio-è: the c is soft and the final e is open.

• così/koˈzi/

  The s in the middle is soft, like the s in 'easy'.

• giù/dʒu/

  The i is not pronounced: it only makes the g soft.

• più/pju/

  Just one syllable: p, i and u run together, without splitting them.

• società/sotʃeˈta/

  The i is not heard: you say «so-ce-tà».

Good to know

al banco

Coffee is often drunk standing at the counter, and it usually costs less than sitting at a table. You usually pay first at the register, then hand the receipt to the barista.

caffè

If you ask for a «caffè», you get an espresso, small and strong. Cappuccino is usually ordered only in the morning.

coperto

Seated at a table, many places charge a cover charge or a service supplement, shown on the menu. At the counter there usually isn't one.

mancia

Tipping is not compulsory. At a bar many people leave small change or round up the bill, but nothing specific is expected.

Questions

How do I ask for a tea with milk in Italian?

You can say «Vorrei un tè caldo con del latte, per favore.» The word tè is one syllable, with an open e.

What does «cioè» mean in Italian?

You use it to explain better or correct what you just said, as in «Arrivo tra dieci minuti, cioè appena finisco di lavorare.» It has two syllables, cio-è.

How do I ask why the bar closes early?

You can say «Scusi, perché il bar oggi chiude così presto?» Perché is used to ask the reason for something.