Articles
The Italian films and series worth watching while you learn, grammar explained one rule at a time, and the phrases you actually need around Italy. Everything here is written by native Italian teachers, and everything is free.
Italian Culture
Italian films and TV series worth watching while you learn, and the sayings and habits no textbook covers.
Italian movies, from easiest to hardest: 8 films to start with
Eight Italian movies to start learning Italian with, ordered from easiest to hardest, with what each one sounds like, who made it and how to watch it.
Italian sayings: the proverbs Italians actually use
Forty Italian sayings and proverbs that Italians really still use, with what each one means, when to say it, and which ones work as a tattoo.
Italian TV shows: 15 series to learn Italian from
Fifteen Italian TV series to learn Italian with, ordered from easiest to hardest, with the level of each one and how to watch them.
Italian Mafia Movies, ranked by an Italian teacher
Beyond The Godfather: eight Italian mafia films actually shot in Italy, with complexity notes. From a native teacher.
Grammar, Explained
One rule at a time, in plain English, with the charts and examples you would get in a lesson.
How Italian Adjective Agreement works: the rule and examples
Italian adjective agreement, explained simply: the four forms of -o adjectives, the two-form -e ones, the -ista set and the adjectives that never change.
NewItalian prepositions: how to choose the right one
Italian prepositions, taught the way we teach them in class: the eight simple prepositions, the articulated forms, and the verbs that carry their own.
NewItalian passato prossimo explained (avere or essere)
Italian passato prossimo explained step by step: choosing between avere and essere, building the past participle, and making it agree with the subject.
Ci in Italian: how to use ci and ne
Ci in Italian means there, about it or on it, and ne means of it, of them or some. How to choose between them, with charts and the mistakes to avoid.
Italian pronouns: every type, explained with charts
Italian pronouns explained with a chart for every type: subject, direct and indirect object, reflexive, double pronouns, and where they go.
Exercises
Short practice sets, one rule at a time, with the reason behind every answer. Do them after the article, or leave them a few days and do them again.
NewItalian Preposition Exercises: a, in, da or di?
Eight Italian preposition exercises with the reason for every answer: a, in and da, the articulated forms, and the verbs that carry their own preposition.
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Italian Pronoun Exercises: Test Yourself in 8 Sentences
Eight Italian pronoun exercises with the reason for every answer: direct and indirect objects, double pronouns, reflexives, stressed forms and ne.
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Italian Passato Prossimo Exercises: avere or essere?
Eight Italian passato prossimo exercises with the reason for every answer: choosing between avere and essere, the participle, and when it has to agree.
Italian Adjective Agreement Exercises: 8 Sentences
Eight Italian adjective agreement exercises with the reason for every answer: the -o and -e forms, the -ista set, the invariable colours and the mixed group.
Lessons
Start with the sounds and the first words, then the phrases you need at the hotel, at the table, in the market, in church, and when something goes wrong on the road.
Italian pronunciation explained by an Italian native teacher
Italian pronunciation, explained by a native teacher: one letter one sound, the five vowels, c and g, gn and gli, the rolled r, and how to read long words.
The first words to learn in Italian
Start your Italian journey by learning greetings and other useful phrases. Here are the very first words you need to speak with an Italian.
"Police in Italian": how to ask for help in an emergency
How to say police in Italian and what to do next: reporting a theft, asking for a pharmacy or a doctor, and describing your symptoms clearly.
"Nice to meet you" in Italian: how to introduce yourself
Say nice to meet you in Italian and keep the conversation going: your name, where you're from, your work and hobbies, and a little small talk about the weather.
"Where is the bathroom?" in Italian: Phrases for banks, laundry and post offices
Where is the bathroom in Italian, and how do you find a bank, a laundry or a post office? The everyday phrases you need around town in Italy.
How to say "beach" in Italian: phrases for the sea and the mountains
How to say beach in Italian, plus the phrases for a day by the sea or on a mountain trail: umbrellas, swimming, weather and renting a bike.
Shopping in Italian: phrases for markets, shops and souvenirs
Shopping in Italian: ask for sizes and prices, haggle at the market, and handle cash and cards with the phrases you actually need.
Italian for museums, churches and guided tours: phrases for culture lovers
Buy museum tickets, join a guided tour and visit Italian churches with confidence. The phrases you need for a day of art and culture in Italy.
Italian at the restaurant: a beginner's guide to ordering food and drinks
Order with confidence anywhere in Italy: coffee at the bar, a full meal at the restaurant, pizza, wine, and how to explain allergies in Italian.
Essential Italian phrases for hotels and accommodation
Learn how to get by in any Italian hotel or guesthouse with this short guide to the most common phrases for checking in, asking for what you need, and settling in.
How to move around Italy: essential phrases for trains, buses and taxis
Learn the most useful Italian phrases for getting around Italy by train, bus, taxi and rental car, plus how to ask for directions.
How to learn to speak Italian
"I understand Italian, but I can't speak it." Here are some practical tips to unlock your conversation skills and finally start speaking Italian.
Reading helps. Speaking helps more.
Take the five-minute placement test, or come straight to a free trial lesson and use what you have read here out loud with a native teacher.