Get ready for a shopping extravaganza, because let me tell you, Italy knows how to bring on the retail bliss! Whether you’re looking for fashion labels, vintage treasures, or just adorable souvenirs to remind you of your Italian vacation, the country has it all.
The best part? Shopping in Italy is not just about buying stuff. Nope, it’s so much more! It’s a cultural adventure in its own right. Even something as simple as picking up some fresh local goodies from a grocery store or purchasing a trendy Italian outfit from a bustling street market reveals a myriad of cultural narratives and traditions.
But before embarking on a shopping spree in Italy, you’ll definitely want to familiarize with some key phrases to make your experience more fun. Armed with the right words, you’ll effortlessly navigate the shops like a seasoned local shopper, finding those perfect gifts for you and your loved ones. So, get your shopping bags ready!
Essential shopping phrases in Italian
Shopping offers a great opportunity to learn and use Italian words. Think about it: you step into a bustling shop, you spot something you like, and instantly your mind starts racing. How much does it cost? Do they have it in a different color or size? Can I pay by credit card? With each thought, you can navigate through the shopping experience using your language skills to the fullest.
Sure, there is an unspoken international language of shopping, where a nod, or a smile can transcend borders. But let’s be honest, having a basic grasp of the local language can greatly enhance your communication in these situations.
To help you make the most of your shopping adventures in Italy, I’ve compiled a list of essential phrases. These key expressions encompass everything from greetings and polite expressions to seeking assistance, ensuring you are well-equipped to navigate the vibrant world of Italian retail.
Finding a store
Let’s start with the basics: locating a place for your shopping needs. Whether you find yourself chatting with the friendly concierge at your hotel or seeking recommendations from locals on the streets, the following phrases will help you find the right place.
Sto cercando un supermercato / mercato / negozio di giocattoli.
I’m looking for a supermarket / an open air market / a toy store.
Dove posso trovare una farmacia?
Where can I find a pharmacy?
A che ora aprono i negozi?
What time do the shops open?
Signs you might see
So, you’ve found the shop you were searching for and as you approach its entrance, you notice some intriguing signs on the windows or inside the shop. Well, they are most probably conveying one of the following messages:
Aperto – Open
Chiuso – Closed
Torno subito – I’ll be right back
Offerta speciale – Special offer
Saldi – Sales
Svendita per chiusura attività – Clearance sale
Metà prezzo – Half price
Paghi 1, prendi 2 – Buy 1 get 1 free
Prendere il numero per essere serviti – Take the number to be served
This is a sign you’ll often see at supermarkets or bakeries.
Controllare il resto prima di uscire – Check your change before leaving
Things the shopping assistant will say and how to answer
As you step into a shop, chances are you’ll find some smiley commesse or commessi (shop assistants) warmly welcoming you. Here are some examples of what you may hear they say, between helpful suggestions and genuine connections:
| Buongiorno, posso aiutarla? – Good morning, may I help you? | Buongiorno. Do solo un’occhiata, grazie. – Good morning. I’m just looking, thanks. |
| Buongiorno. Sì, grazie. Sto cercando… – Good morning. Yes, please. I’m looking for… | |
| Ha bisogno di aiuto? – Do you need help? | No, grazie. Do solo un’occhiata. – I’m just looking, thanks. |
| Sì, grazie. Sto cercando… – Yes, please. I’m looking for… | |
| Sì, grazie. Vorrei… Yes, please. I’d like… | |
| Sta cercando qualcosa in particolare? – Are you looking for something in particular? | No, grazie. Do solo un’occhiata. – I’m just looking, thanks. |
| Sì, sto cercando… Yes, I’m looking for… | |
| Per qualsiasi cosa, chieda pure – Feel free to ask, should you need anything | Perfetto, grazie! – Perfect, thanks! |
| Oggi/questa settimana abbiamo una promozione su… – Today/this week we are running a promotion on… | Grazie, lo terrò a mente. – Thank you, I’ll keep that in mind. |
Talking to a shop assistant
No matter how independent you may feel when entering a store, there inevitably comes a moment when you’ll need to connect with a shop assistant. Whether it’s to inquire about a specific product or explain what you’re seeking, knowing these Italian shopping phrases will help a lot.
Mi scusi – Excuse me
Può aiutarmi? – Can you help me?
Vorrei… – I would like….
Vorrei vedere… – I would like to see…
Sto cercando… – I’m looking for…
Avete… – Do you have…
Può farmi vedere… – Can you show me…
Vorrei spendere intorno ai 30 euro – I’d like to spend around 30 euros
Please note: this is something you can say particularly when you’re shopping for a gift
Quanto costa/costano? – How much does it/do they cost?
Troppo caro. C’è qualcosa di più economico? – Too expensive. Is there something cheaper?
Ci sono promozioni? – Are there any promotions?
A che ora chiudete/aprite? – What time do you close/open?
Dove posso trovare… – Where can I find…
È/Sono in saldo? – Is this/are they on sale?
Quando iniziano/finiscono i saldi? – When will the sales start/end?
Mi piace/piacciono molto. – I like this/these very much.
To buy or not to buy?
You’ve browsed the shop, you’ve engaged in friendly banter with the shop assistant, and now it’s the time to make a decision: to buy it or not to buy it?
Here’s what you can say:
Prendo questo/questa, grazie – I’ll take this one, thank you
Ci penso – I’ll think about it
È un po’ troppo caro. Volevo spendere di meno. – It’s a bit too expensive. I wanted to spend less.
Avete qualcosa che costa meno? – Do you have anything cheaper?
What you might hear:
Lo prende / La prende? – Are you taking this?
Vuole vedere altro? – Would you like to see something else?
Qualcos’altro? – Anything else?
The possible answers to the question are: Sì, avrei bisogno anche di… (Yes, I also need…) or Basta così, grazie (That’s all, thank you).
At the cash register: time to pay!
Don’t you just hate that moment when you’re casually browsing through a store, perfectly content with just nodding and smiling at the friendly staff, but suddenly, as you approach the cashier, a wave of anxiety hits you at the though of all the possible questions they might ask about payment? But worry not, below you’ll find the most common phrases you’re likely to encounter and those you’ll most often need when it’s time to settle the bill for your purchases.
What you might say:
Dov’è la cassa? – Where’s the checkout?
È in fila? – Are you in the queue?
Mi da un sacchetto, per favore? – Can I have a bag, please?
Pago in contanti. – I’ll pay in cash.
Pago con carta di credito – I’m going to pay by credit card.
Posso pagare con carta di credito? – Can I pay with a credit card?
Accettate l’American Express? – Do you take American Express?
Può farmi una confezione regalo per favore? – Could you gift-wrap it please?
Posso pagare in dollari/sterline? – Do you accept US dollars/British pounds?
Qual è la politica di reso? – What’s your refund policy?
Ho bisogno della fattura – I need an invoice
Posso avere uno sconto? – Can I get a discount?
Please note: It is not common to ask for discounts in shops; instead, it is more typical to do so at the market.
What you might hear:
A chi tocca? – Who’s next?
And you can answer: Tocca a me or È il mio turno (It’s my turn)
Il prossimo! – Next, please!
È un regalo? – Is it a present?
Vuole un sacchetto? – Would you like a bag?
Paga con contanti o carta? – Do you pay in cash or by credit card?
Ha moneta? – Do you have some coins?
Ha bisogno della fattura? – Do you need an invoice?
Italian phrases for returns & refunds
If you’re not happy with your recent purchase here are some handy phrases to make the return or exchange process smoother and faster.
What you might say:
Devo fare un cambio – I need to exchange this
Devo fare un reso – I need to return this
Posso avere un rimborso? – Can I have a refund?
What you might hear:
Ha lo scontrino? – Have you got the receipt?
Essential Italian vocabulary for clothing shopping
As one of the top fashion destinations in the world, Italy is a mecca for clothing enthusiasts. And even if shopping isn’t your preferred pastime, at some point during your trip you’ll inevitably find yourself exploring iconic local designer stores and fascinating artisanal workshops. Thus you need to be prepared.
Sono/porto una 44 – I am/I wear a size 44
Avete una M? – Do you have a medium?
Dove sono i camerini? – Where are the fitting rooms?
Vorrei provare questo/questa/questi. – I would like to try this/these.
C’è uno specchio? – Is there a mirror?
Non mi sta/stanno. – It doesn’t /they don’t fit.
Sono grandi/piccoli. – They are too big/small.
È troppo grande/piccolo – It’s too big/small
Avete una taglia più grande/più piccola? – Do you have a larger/smaller size?
Ce l’avete in altri colori? – Do you have this in other colours?
Italian phrases for grocery shopping at the market
Most Italian places have a weekly open air market in the main piazza and browsing the colorful stalls is always a fun experience to have in Italy – one full of colors, warm smiles, great products, and engaging conversations in Italian!
What you might say:
Tocca a me! – My turn!
Vorrei un pò di… (pane, formaggio, frutta, ecc.) – I would like some… (bread, cheese, fruit, etc.)
Due etti di prosciutto, per favore – Two hundred grams of prosciutto, please
Come cucino questa pasta? – How should I cook this pasta?
Quanto costano le zucchine? – How much are the courgettes?
Ha del rosmarino? – Do you have any rosemary?
Me ne dà un po’ di più, per favore? – Can you give me a little more, please?
Che cos’è quello/a? – What’s that?
What you might hear:
A chi tocca? – Who’s next?
Mi dica – What can I get you?
È un pò più di due etti, lascio? – It’s a little over two hundred grams, can I leave it?
Vuole anche un pò di…? – Would you like also some…?
Basta così?/A posto così? – Is that everything?
Buono shopping! Happy shopping!
Valentina Nicastro is a travel writer in love with her home country, Italy. Having travelled widely around the globe, she realised there was more to explore closer to home and decided to put the passport aside for a while. When she is not immersed in documenting Italy, you’ll find her donning her communication consultant hat, weaving words as a content writer and bridging linguistic divides as a translator.
