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!”.
Its great to have you back, Jane! Hope you had a great trip. And thanks Massimo for being there for us when Jane was away – much appreciated!
Just one question, when you say ‘Hey Jane’ or ‘Hey Massimo’ , do you say “Ao” in Italian…is that how you spell it? Looked it up in the dictionary, but wasn’t sure. Can you let me know if I am right?
Really enjoying the podcasts – they are helping so much, and I put them on when I am driving and play them all the time…..its the best way to make things stick. I think I am getting addicted!
The translation for “hey” would be “ehi” (and its variation “hei”) – and it’s widely used as an informal way of calling the attention of someone.
Thanks for that info! Very useful.
1. How would you say, “I was born in ___”?
2. What is the equivalent of “well”, as in “well, i think so”
Also, last got a chance to practice some phrases with an Italian waiter, and he said “parla bene il italiano.” I just said Grazie, but how could I have said, it makes me happy that you say that, or to hear you say that?
1) “Io sono nato/a a…” – Use “nato” for male, and “nata” for female.
2) You can use “bene”, even if it’s not that common as in English.
“Grazie, sono contento di sentirlo dire” – that’s “Thanks, I’m happy to hear saying that”.
I am confused about the use of “ha” and “avete”, as in “Ha una camera?” or “Avete un tavolo?” I thought avete would be used when speaking to more than one person, but i’ve seen these used interchangeably.
Thank you Massimo e Jane!
You can use “ha” to say “lui/lei ha” (he/she has), or in the polite form “scusi, ha lei (you polite) una camera?” (excuse me, do you have a room?).
If you say “avete un tavolo?” you are saying “do you (plural – people) have a table?”
Using “avete” to speak to one person is considered old Italian and it’s used rarely on southern Italy – almost never on the northern part of the country.
To learn more about the subject, please refer to https://www.learnitalianpod.com/greetings/
Grazie for the explanation, Massimo e Jane. The link was most helpful. I am leaving for Italy next week and I’m really looking forward to using what I’ve learned.
Jass asked how to translate Well as in …Well, I think so.
I don’t think she is refering to her state of being, but more so to a pause. The word that come to mind is …Allora. I heard it all the time from the Italians as a pause when thinking or before speaking.
Sharon, you made a good point. “Allora” (literally “then”) is actually the best way to render “Well” (literally translated as “Bene”), when used as a pause and not as a state of being.
Really enjoying these podcasts. I’m an adult student doing Italian at GCSE level this May and June. I’ve recommended you to my classmates but they haven’t caught on yet. Quel sfortunato!
Abbiamo una lezione ogni Lunedi alla sera con una bella professoressa chi si chiama Orestina. Questi podcasts lavorano in congunzione con le mie lezioni perfettomente.
I know you publish the scripts, but I find it really useful to write down the Italian phrases as they’re being spoken. It helps me with my spelling and my retention of the phrases.
Ciao.
Lorenzo (a Londra, Inghilterra).
Hi there, is anyone able to tell me if this is the correct spelling for the informal phrase of ‘can’t wait to see you’?
che non vedo l’oro di vederti?
Cheers!
P.S. Massimo & Jane, I used to be able to speak the proper Italian when I was a lot younger but since then have been only speaking Calibrese. I have been studying your podcasts for nearly 2 weeks now and I am better than I have ever been! Tanti Grazie!
Ciao
Nicole, it’s “non vedo l’ora di vederti” – literally “I can’t see the hour to see you”.
Grazie 😉
Could Jane also have said “che non vedo l’ora di (ri)vederci” (as in “Arrivederci!”)?
Ludwig, “arrivederci” simply means “good bye”, while “non vedo l’ora di rivederci” means “I can’t wait to see each other” – so it’s not really the same thing.
sono contenta di hacere qui.
i’m happy to be here? is that how it is spelled?
grazie!
Lucy, it’s “io sono contenta di essere qui” – I’m happy to be here.
Ciao!
I am confused in the use of che?
Lui e’ in macchina che canta… if I translate this sentence literally it will mean: He is in the car that sings????
Aiutarme per favore! Is it a better way to say that he is singing in the car?
 ciao..
puoi dire anche:
Lui canta nella macchina
he sings in the car.
i hope i can be helpful.
see you