Episodes

  • 194: You’re (probably) using the wrong “excuse me” in Italian

    194: You’re (probably) using the wrong “excuse me” in Italian
    Jul 29 2025
    Excuse me in Italian might seem simple, but there are actually four ways to say it. Here’s when and how to use each one, so you’ll always get it right in Italy. Learn about our Online Italian School and get a free mini lesson every week: https://joyoflanguages.online/italian-school Subscribe to our new YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@joyoflanguages.italian?sub_confirmation=1 Get the bonus materials for this episode: https://italian.joyoflanguages.com/podcast/excuse-me-in-italian Today's Italian words: Scusi, il conto per favore = Excuse me (formal), the bill please Scusi, è libero? = Excuse me (formal), is it free? Scusa Matteo, dove sono i biglietti? = Sorry Matteo, where are the tickets? Scusate, siete in fila? = Excuse me (you plural), are you in the line? Scusate, è questo il treno per Bologna? = Excuse me (you plural), is this the train for Bologna?
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    11 mins
  • 193: Am I Bad at Italian? We’ll Give You an Honest Answer

    193: Am I Bad at Italian? We’ll Give You an Honest Answer
    Jul 22 2025
    _Bad at Italian? Perfetto! Here's how being bad at Italian can actually help you, with some useful tips and practical phrases. _ Learn about our Online Italian School and get a free mini lesson every week: https://joyoflanguages.online/italian-school Subscribe to our new YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@joyoflanguages.italian?sub_confirmation=1 Get the bonus materials for this episode: https://italian.joyoflanguages.com/podcast/am-i-bad-at-italian Today's Italian words: Perché ti piace l’Italia? = Why do you like Italy? Perché ho origini italiane = Because I have Italian origins Perché mi piace la gente = Because I like the people Posso provare in italiano? = Can I try in Italian? Ha tempo? = Do you (formal) have time? Hai tempo? = Do you (informal) have time? Sto imparando = I’m learning Sono principiante = I’m a beginner Grazie per la pazienza = Thank you for your patience Come si dice…? = How do you say…? Non ricordo la parola per… = I don’t remember the word for… La mia memoria! = My memory!
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    18 mins
  • 192: Italian Festivals: What to Know Before You Go

    192: Italian Festivals: What to Know Before You Go
    Jul 15 2025
    _Italian festivals are a great way to enjoy real Italian culture. Here are the best Italian festivals, plus some useful phrases to help you join in the fun. _ Learn about our Online Italian School and get a free mini lesson every week: https://joyoflanguages.online/italian-school Subscribe to our new YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@joyoflanguages.italian?sub_confirmation=1 Get the bonus materials for this episode: https://italian.joyoflanguages.com/podcast/italian-festivals Today's Italian words: Vengo in Italia il prossimo weekend = I’m coming to Italy next weekend Ci sono dei festival interessanti? = are there any interesting festivals? Le sagre = Typical Italian Food Festivals Un paesino = A small town Il cibo locale = Local food
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    15 mins
  • 191: You in Italian: Formal vs. Informal Explained

    191: You in Italian: Formal vs. Informal Explained
    Jul 8 2025
    _Learn the three forms of “you” in Italian and when to use each one, so you get the right tone every time you’re chatting with Italians. _ Learn about our Online Italian School and get a free mini lesson every week: https://joyoflanguages.online/italian-school Subscribe to our new YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@joyoflanguages.italian?sub_confirmation=1 Get the bonus materials for this episode: https://italian.joyoflanguages.com/podcast/you-in-italian Today's Italian words: Hai una penna? = Do you (informal) have a pen? Preferisci mangiare dentro o fuori? = Do you (informal) prefer to eat inside or outside? Ha un sacchetto? = Do you (formal) have a bag? Volete un dolce? = Do you (plural) want a dessert? Preferite acqua naturale o frizzante? = Do you (plural) prefer still or sparkling water? Cerca qualcosa in particolare? = Are you (formal) looking for something in particular? Vuoi un gelato? = Do you (informal) want an ice-cream?
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    26 mins
  • 190: Do You Have to Read Books to Learn Italian? Yes and No.

    190: Do You Have to Read Books to Learn Italian? Yes and No.
    Jul 1 2025
    _Is reading Italian books a good idea? We think so, if you pick the right ones. Here are 5 tips on what you should be reading in Italian. _ Learn about our Online Italian School and get a free mini lesson every week: https://joyoflanguages.online/italian-school Subscribe to our new YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@joyoflanguages.italian?sub_confirmation=1 Get the bonus materials for this episode: https://italian.joyoflanguages.com/podcast/Italian-books Today's Italian words: Leggono libri scritti per italiani = They read books written for Italians Cercano tutte le parole = They look up all the words Scelgono libri per bambini = They choose books for children Leggono storie noiose = They choose boring stories
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    10 mins
  • 189: Everything You Need to Join a Birthday in Italy

    189: Everything You Need to Join a Birthday in Italy
    Jun 24 2025
    How do you say “Happy birthday” in Italian? Learn the phrases Italians actually use, pronunciation tips, and 2 quite unique birthday traditions. Learn about our Online Italian School and get a free mini lesson every week: https://joyoflanguages.online/italian-school Subscribe to our new YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@joyoflanguages.italian?sub_confirmation=1 Get the bonus materials for this episode: https://italian.joyoflanguages.com/podcast/happy-birthday-in-italian Today's Italian words: Buon compleanno! = Happy birthday Tanti auguri! = Happy birthday (lit. many wishes) Quando festeggiamo? = When are we celebrating?
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    14 mins
  • 188: How to Say and Use “Let’s Go” in Italian

    188: How to Say and Use “Let’s Go” in Italian
    Jun 17 2025
    There’s one simple way to say “let’s go” in Italian, but you’ll also want to know how to say (and use) the other expressions that Italians use all the time. Learn about our Online Italian School and get a free mini lesson every week: https://joyoflanguages.online/italian-school Subscribe to our new YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@joyoflanguages.italian?sub_confirmation=1 Get the bonus materials for this episode: https://italian.joyoflanguages.com/podcast/lets-go-in-Italian Today's Italian words: Andiamo al cinema! = Let’s go to the cinema! Andiamo al museo! = Let’s go to the museum! Andiamo a casa! = Let’s go home! Andiamo a mangiare una pizza! = Let’s go eat a pizza! Andiamo a vedere la piazza! = Let’s go see the square!
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    9 mins
  • 187: Italian Restaurant Phrases Most Tourists Don’t Understand

    187: Italian Restaurant Phrases Most Tourists Don’t Understand
    Jun 10 2025
    _What Italian restaurant phrases will you actually hear in Italy? Learn what waiters really say, plus some cultural tips. _ Learn about our Online Italian School and get a free mini lesson every week: https://joyoflanguages.online/italian-school Subscribe to our new YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@joyoflanguages.italian?sub_confirmation=1 Get the bonus materials for this episode: https://italian.joyoflanguages.com/podcast/Italian-Restaurant-Phrases Today's Italian words: Avete prenotato? = Have you booked? Arrivo subito = I’ll be right with you Prego, di qua = Please this way Ecco il menu = Here’s the menu Porto qualcosa da bere intanto? = Can I get you something to drink in the meantime? Ambiente o fredda? = Room temperature or cold? Volete ordinare? = Do you want to order?
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    17 mins