Slang

1. Boh

   Dunno

   Usage

   A one-syllable "no idea", used with a shrug and understood the length of Italy. Natural among friends, but with staff or someone senior "non lo so" is politer

2. Magari!

   If only!

   Usage

   A famously multi-purpose Italian word. On its own it is a heartfelt "if only!"; inside a sentence it means "maybe". Understood everywhere and rude to no one

3. Dai!

   Come on!

   Usage

   Literally "give". It encourages, it hurries, and with "ma dai!" it means "you're kidding". Understood everywhere; keep it for friends rather than the workplace

4. Mamma mia!

   Good heavens!

   Usage

   Surprise, admiration or exasperation alike. Understood everywhere and safe with anyone — though it is so famous abroad that laying it on thick will be taken as a joke

5. Meno male!

   Thank goodness!

   Usage

   Literally "less bad" — the sigh when the thing you feared did not happen. Understood everywhere and fine with staff and elders alike

6. Figurati!

   Not at all!

   Usage

   The reply to a thank-you or an apology: think nothing of it. Understood everywhere. With the formal "Lei" it becomes "si figuri"

7. Cavolo!

   Darn!

   Usage

   Literally "cabbage" — the safe stand-in for a much cruder word, mild enough to use in front of children. Also as "che cavolo fai?". Understood everywhere, and this is the version a visitor should learn

8. Uffa!

   Ugh, come on

   Usage

   A mild grumble of impatience — a long queue, a late train. Harmless enough that children use it, but aimed at staff it reads as a complaint, so keep it to yourself. Understood everywhere

9. In bocca al lupo

   Good luck

   Usage

   Literally "into the wolf's mouth", the standard send-off before an exam or an interview — and the fixed reply is "crepi!", may the wolf die. Some Italians avoid "buona fortuna" as unlucky. Understood everywhere and safe with anyone

10. Alla grande!

    Going great!

    Usage

    The upbeat answer to "come va?". Understood everywhere, and fine with friends or with staff you have got to know

11. Tranquillo!

    No worries!

    Usage

    Reassurance: no need to worry. Say "tranquilla" to a woman. Understood everywhere; with the formal "Lei" use "stia tranquillo"

12. Ci sta

    That works

    Usage

    Literally "it fits there" — the casual yes to a suggestion. It started in Rome and is now used by young people everywhere. For friends your own age; at work say "va bene"

13. Mi raccomando!

    Mind you do!

    Usage

    Tacked onto a goodbye or a request as "now don't forget" — the archetypal Italian mother's line. Understood everywhere and warm rather than bossy, provided you say it brightly

14. Che casino!

    What a mess!

    Usage

    Chaos, crowds, a mess. The word had another sense historically but today it simply means bedlam and is not felt as crude. Understood everywhere; among friends, though at work say "che confusione"

15. Che barba!

    What a bore!

    Usage

    Literally "what a beard" — long enough to grow one. Understood everywhere, but keep it between friends: aimed at someone's story or plan it is rude

16. Ammazza!

    Blimey!

    Usage

    The Roman exclamation of surprise. It literally means "kill", but it is simply "wow" at a high price or a huge portion, with nothing violent about it. Rome and its region only — the north will not follow it. For friends your own age

17. Occhio!

    Watch out!

    Usage

    Literally "eye" — keep your eyes open. For a step, a pickpocket or an oncoming scooter. Understood everywhere, and shouting it to a stranger reads as kindness, not rudeness

18. beccarsi

    To meet up

    Usage

    Literally "to peck each other". Used as "ci becchiamo dopo" — catch you later — and standard among young Italians everywhere. For friends; for a work appointment say "ci vediamo"

19. fare due chiacchiere

    To have a chat

    Usage

    Literally "to do two chats" — the aimless conversation you fall into. Warm and usable at any age across Italy, and exactly what happens over a coffee at the bar

20. fare il ponte

    To bridge a long weekend

    Usage

    Literally "to build the bridge" — taking the workday between a public holiday and the weekend to make a long break. A deep-rooted Italian habit, and one that closes shops and jams the roads. Understood everywhere and safe with anyone

21. l'apericena

    Apericena

    Usage

    A coinage from "aperitivo" plus "cena": one drink buys you the run of a buffet, and it replaces dinner. It started in Milan and is a northern city habit — the south sticks to a plain aperitivo. You will see the word on bar signs

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