Learn Italian for beginners

Italian uses the Latin alphabet, so you can read and sound out words from day one.

Double consonants change the word in Italian. Pala and palla are different, so hold the doubled sound a little longer. Listening and repeating is how you hear that difference, and a speaking step makes you produce it.

• Ciao: hello
• Grazie: thank you
• Vorrei un tavolo per due.: i would like a table for two.

1. 1

   Listen first

   Hear the Italian sentence before you try it so your ear knows the target.

2. 2

   Say it out loud

   Say the sentence three times. Slow first, then natural speed.

3. 3

   Build it

   Rebuild the sentence from its words so the word order sticks.

4. 4

   Repeat tomorrow

   Start the next session with yesterday's sentences.

• Only reading and tapping, and never saying anything aloud.
• Memorising word lists with no sentences around them.
• Waiting until you feel ready to speak. You get ready by speaking.
• Studying for two hours once a week instead of fifteen minutes daily.
• Expecting fast results. Italian takes about 700 hours to reach working proficiency, but basic spoken Italian comes much sooner.

Go deeper with most common Italian words, and useful Italian phrases.