Today you are going to learn everything (well, almost…) you need to know in order to rent a car in Italy, if you ever feel adventurous enough to drive, while there… You do know that Italians have a terrible reputation as car drivers, right? And what if you do not feel like driving? Well, you can always take a train… Enjoy!

Learn Italian with Podcasts! Today we are going to hear about Massimo’s plan to spend next weekend skiing and having fun in one of the most famous Italian winter destinations, Cortina d’Ampezzo. Let’s review and practice words that you can use to describe places, like “bel panorama” (beautiful view), or “piste fantastiche” (fantastic ski runs). Enjoy!

Learn Italian with Podcasts! Today we are going to learn how to use the words “prima” (before), and “dopo” (after), and in doing so we’ll find out what our two friends are going to do right before leaving Italy after a two weeks vacation. There’s a lot to do: prepare the luggage, buy postcards, confirm the flight, and eat one last delicious Italian ice cream. Enjoy!

Let’s learn one of the most used typical Italian expressions – that’s “far cadere le braccia” (literally: make arms fall down) while finding out how Massimo is doing with his new girlfriend, Sara. Things are definitely not looking good: he says everytime she opens her mouth, his arms fall down… uhm, no, not a good sign! We’ll also review and practice “come va con…” (how is it going with…), a very common way of asking people about things they are doing. Enjoy!

Learn Italian Language with Podcasts! Let’s go back to when we were little kids and our “mamma” and “papa’” would sing us a “ninna nanna” (lullaby) before we went to sleep: who doesn’t remember the sensation of falling asleep by the sound of a familiar voice? Today, Massimo is the little kid and Jane is the singing mommy… Don’t fall asleep yet! Let’s learn how to use the imperative form of verbs, used for giving commands, and other useful words and expressions.

Fall is almost here, leaves turn red and yellow… the village fair begins! Every year it brings “caldarroste” (roasted chestnuts), “torrone” (nougat), and “mandorlato” (almond candies), delicious treaties that makes autumn warm and enjoyable. Let’s take a ride on a merry-go-round while celebrating the end of summer!

Tobia is the Italian name of Jane’s nice little puppy and he likes hiding everywhere. Massimo is looking for him on the bed, under the sofa, and behind the plant. Let’s see if he can find him so they can go play outside – it’s such a beautiful day! Today we are learning and practicing some Italian prepositions, like “sopra” (on, above, on top of), “sotto” (under, below), and “dietro” (behind).

Everybody gets angry once in a while, and Italians are no exception! Today we are going to learn some colorful and popular expressions Italians use when they are “arrabbiati” (angry). Just be careful on where and when you are going to use those expressions – they can get you in trouble! (Please note: this episode DOES NOT contain bad words).

He has not seen her for six months. He’s due to pick her up at the airport, and he’s running late! Today, we’ll hear a phone conversation and will practice some more typical, informal Italian expressions. All of that without forgetting to say… “bentornata, Jane!”.

Today… let’s talk about vacations! Are we all ready to relax, take some time off and have fun after a long year spent working? You bet we are! While thinking about our Italian summer, let’s spend some time learning and practicing how to use the future tense. Buon Divertimento!

Today we are going to learn how to play tombola. But what is tombola exactly? Tombola is the same as the bingo game and it’s very popular in Italy among people of all ages. Tombola’s popularity increases during villages’ fairs in the summertime when it becomes an excuse for Italians to get out of the house and socialize. Enjoy this very relaxing lesson and feel the summer. Tombola!

“Wake up and smell the coffee”, taken literally. In today’s episode, we are going to describe Jane & Massimo’s morning routine, and by doing so, we are going to learn how to use Italian reflexive verbs. These are verbs having an identical subject and direct object. And you, what do you do when you wake up?

We all know that bad things, like good ones, sometimes just happen. What we can do is… to be prepared, just in case. In today’s episode, we are going learn and practice some useful sentences to use in case of emergencies. We hope you’ll never need this lesson, but, as the saying goes, “better safe than sorry”, right?

Who doesn’t know how hard it is to speak a foreign language over the phone? Not anymore so after this lesson! In today’s episode we will learn and practice some useful informal expressions you can use while making a phone call to a friend.

He promised he was going to help her to prepare the cake for the party. “But not today”, he says, “because I have to run..”. Let’s learn how to conjugate and use another very common verb: “dovere” (to have to – must).

She walks in via Condotti, Rome, she sees a shop window she loves, the shop assistant is a friend (so she’ll get a discount), and last but not least, everything is on sale: the shopaholic’s heaven must look like this! In today’s episode, we are going to learn how to shop with style.

She wants to go eat out in a good seafood restaurant, and he’s showing some good old fashioned manners, by picking up the tab… what a gentleman! In today’s episode, we are going to learn how to conjugate and use another very common verb: “volere” (to want).

What’s better than a visit from a friend you haven’t seen in a long time? The only thing is, your friend is from Italy, and only speaks Italian. In today’s lesson, we are going to learn how to conjugate and use a very common verb: “potere” (can).

Giovanna (aka Jane) is definitely a daytime person. She likes early morning best, and the earlier, the better. Massimo, ehm… the opposite. In today’s lesson, we are going to learn and conjugate verbs ending in “ire”, like “dormire” (to sleep) and some useful expression we can use to describe people’s habits. Are you a nighttime or daytime person?

Some says “There’s nothing like home sweet home”. We agree. In today’s lesson, we are going to learn some very useful words and expressions you can use when describing a house or an apartment.

We are spending a nice afternoon in Rome, first trying to find the Colosseum and then finding our way to the Bar Roma, where we’ll be tasting some delicious Chianti wine while facing the sunset. After learning how to ask for and understand directions, it’s finally time for us to… get lost! Ah, Rome, city of the soul!

Let’s meet Lorenzo, a very busy kind of guy, always on the run: he calls the train he takes every morning “my office”. In today lesson, we are going to learn how to conjugate verbs ending in “ere”, like “prendere” (to take), “leggere” (to read), and “scrivere” (to write).

One of the best way to enjoy Italy is renting a car, driving through the countryside, and stop for the night at a typical family-run small hotel. Let’s make sure that making a reservation and checking in at that cozy Italian hotel is going to be easy and fun by practicing these simple but very useful sentences.

Some says you haven’t see Italy if you haven’t see the marvelous Isle of Capri. We wouldn’t go that far, but truth is, if you don’t stop there, you’re missing out. So let’s spend a nice afternoon in Capri, looking at the blue sea, relaxing, and writing postcards – in Italian – to your friends back home. Now this is living!

It’s morning in Venice, and you and your Italian friend Francesca are planning to go to the movie in the afternoon. Let’s see how to use the very handy word “quando” (when) , and how to ask questions about time, so to make sure you meet at the right time (and at the right place…). And do not be late!

Bitten by the Italian bug? Our friend Francesca was, some time ago, and decided to move to Italy. She now lives in Siena, studying Italian and working as photographer. Let’s see how she’s doing while we learn how to conjugate some useful verbs like “studiare” (to study), “lavorare” (to work), “viaggiare” (to travel), and “amare” (to love).

Can you guess this riddle? You need it to go to a movie, you need it to visit a friend, you need it to read, to sleep, or to study. You need to be on it if you want to catch a train… What is it? Time, of course. Does anybody need more of it?

And now, Ladies and Gentlemen, the moment we’ve all been waiting for… Please put your hands together and welcome on stage one of the best singers ever, a legend of pop-music… from Italy, Laura Pausini!

Do you believe in Mr. Perfect? Jane does. She’s going to tell us everything about her friend Mr. Ricci, a tall, fit, handsome, and nice young fellow. While listening to the story, we are going to learn some useful sentences that we can use in describing someone’s personality.

Somebody once said “The trouble with eating Italian food is that 5 or 6 days later you’re hungry again”. Make it 10 days, if you go to a real Italian Trattoria! Let’s learn how to order pasta with bolognese sauce, bistecca ai ferri, mixed salad and (a lot of) good wine. Aren’t you hungry already? We are – see you at the Trattoria!

So you have a nice Italian girlfriend and of course everybody wants to know what her name is, what she looks like, and so on. Get ready to answer some personal questions – Italians can be pretty nosy, sometimes! Wait a second… what if you have an Italian boyfriend? Practice the lesson, change the gender of the adjectives, and tell us about him – we are all ears…

Wake up! It’s a beautiful morning in Venice, the sun is shining, and we’re going for breakfast! Get a cup of nice Italian coffee, strong and aromatic, and you’ll feel ready for anything. Wait a second… do you know how to order a coffee or a cappuccino in Italian? Sure you do – after this lesson.

Ok, so you have been following and practicing every lesson so far, and now you really feel you are ready to express yourself. Great! Go ahead, tell us a little something about yourself – in Italian.

Learning verbs and remembering their correct usage could be a daunting task for anyone, we know, but it doesn’t need to be boring. Today, we’ll talk about cars, cats, and family, using and practicing the verb “To Have”. And we’ll see some funny things about it.

Someone once said “Whoever said money can’t buy happiness simply didn’t know where to go shopping”. What do you think? Well, let’s go shopping and find out! Many Italian products are world-famous for their style and quality, and if you go to Italy, you’ll definitely want to know how to ask “How much is this?”.

Let’s introduce and practice the verb “To Have” by learning how to ask for someone’s age.

After formal greetings, here’s a polite way to introduce yourself. Use these useful sentences to melt early icy meeting moments, or to begin a business conversation… and leave an impression!

In Italian, the way you greet someone is quite important: the type of greeting reflects the social hierarchy among people. So, how would you greet your boss, or a client you’re meeting for the the first time? Let’s find out today.

They say one of the best ways to see Italy’s beautiful countryside is going from city to city by train. We agree. So today we’ll buy a train ticket to Naples, and enjoy the ride. Buon Viaggio!

You do know how family is important for Italians, don’t you? Today Massimo is going to introduce his brother Giovanni. Learn how to introduce your relatives to “La Famiglia”.

You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout i’m tellin’ you why, Santa Claus is coming to… Italy! Buon Natale e Felice Anno Nuovo!

If these two things are true – you are in Italy AND you’re single – maybe it’s time for a little Italian romance. Let’s find out first if he or she is married…

Do you or not speak Italian? Your Italian neighbor is going to ask you that question, sooner or later. Let’ s see if you are brave enough to answer “Yes!!! I do speak Italian!”

How many nice things you can say with this verb! Roll up your sleeves and practice, you are going to use it a lot once you go to Italy. Because you’re planning on going soon, right?

You’ve made it through the first five lessons! It’s time to impress everybody with a long dialogue. Let’s see if you can remember everything you have learned so far. Are you ready for the challenge?

Ok, enough of introductions… it’s time to move ahead and start going places! But where exactly? Well, we’ll start going to a pizza place, and then we’ll go home. After all, it’s been a long day, trying to master the Italian language!

They say that you really speak a language when you know how to express feelings. Impress your new Italian friend with a simple “How are you today?”

You’ve introduced yourself, and started a conversation – great! Now ask your new friend: “What is your name?”

What’s the best way to learn new things? Ask questions! Find out how easy can be to start a conversation with a simple question: “Where are you from?”

Learn Italian with Podcasts! The big day has finally come: you land in beautiful Florence, Italy, get off the plane, and say “ciao” (hello) to your Italian friend! Let’s begin our trip to Italy by learning how to greet and how to ask simple questions (and give simple answers).

Discover how learning Italian with Podcasts can be easy, fast, and fun! And, to take your skills to the next level, consider becoming a subscriber, and get access to Dialogue Transcripts, Supplementary Vocabulary, and Interactive Quizzes. To learn more, go to www.LearnItalianPod.com, and click the big button that says “Say It Like Italians Do”. Enjoy!