Learn Italian your way with a TakeLessons expert

There are numerous Italian dialects spoken throughout Italy. Below, Italian teacher Liz T. shares the six most popular Italian dialects... In the big boot of Italy, there are dozens of Italian dialects. In fact, almost every region has it's own unique accent. While the literary Italian language is used throughout the country for law, business, and education, many people still use their region’s original Italian dialect. While it’s not necessary for you to learn every Italian dia

Can you count to 10, 20, or 30 in Italian? Below, Italian teacher Nadia B. shares some fun Italian games that will help students learn numbers... Learning numbers in Italian is as simple as uno, due, tre. From referencing amounts to sharing phone numbers, learning the Italian numbers will serve you well. Play the following Italian games with your instructor or friends to help you learn and memorize the numbers--and before you know it, you'll be using numbers with ease! 1. Bingo An o

Are you ready for a lesson in Italian grammar? Below, Italian teacher Liz T. breaks down the five most difficult Italian grammar rules... Learning Italian can be difficult, not to mention overwhelming for new students. Many students are afraid of tackling Italian grammar, as it can be complex and confusing at first. If you take the time to learn Italian grammar, however, you're much more likely to understand what you're actually saying, hearing, reading, and writing. Below, we bre

Have you been taking Italian language lessons for your upcoming trip to Italy? While it’s important to familiarize yourself with useful Italian phrases, it’s just as equally important to brush up on Italian culture. After all, understanding both the language and culture will make your trip even more enjoyable. Luckily, there are hundreds of blogs that dish out helpful travel, language, and cultural tidbits no travel book would reveal from where to find the best pizza to the proper Ital

Italy, the land of contemporary fashion, historical art and... men who adore their mothers, hand-gesturing enthusiasts, and gatherings about Dante? Actually, yes! While most Italian stereotypes are inaccurate--for example, all Italians are not mobsters and the men don't look like Super Mario--there are a handful of stereotypes that hold some small kernel of truth. Below are the 10 most common Italian stereotypes that are actually true. Looking to learn Italian? Practice along wit

There’s a lot to know when it comes to learning Italian grammar rules. Below, Italian teacher Nadia B. shares some tips and tricks on forming singular and plural nouns... To become proficient in the language, it's essential to understand how to form singular and plural in Italian. After all, nouns are a cornerstone of the Italian language—or any language for that matter. Luckily, this is easy to master as the process of singular to plural nouns follows a specific pattern. Once you lear

Close the deal on your next Italian business trip with this lesson from Italian teacher Nadia B. on useful Italian phrases and etiquette tips for doing business... Are you planning on doing business in Italy? It’s important that you learn Italian—even just a little—before your trip, as you want to interact with constituents in a professional and polite manner. In this article, we’ll explore various useful Italian phrases and words you can use to ensure your meetings go off wi

Do you want to learn Italian fast, yet effectively? In addition to taking Italian lessons with an experienced teacher, there are other ways to speed up the language learning process. All it takes is some creativity, dedication, and practice. Here are five tips and tricks on how to learn Italian fast. Try these methods in your language learning journey. 1. Find Our Borrowed Italian Words Believe it or not, you already know quite a bit of Italian! There are the obvious words like pizza, pa

Don't pick up any grammatical bad habits when visiting abroad. Below, Italian teacher Giulio G. shares 5 common Italian grammar mistakes natives often make... Spending your vacation in Italy is amazing, both for the breathtaking landscapes and the opportunity to improve your Italian language skills. When learning Italian through immersion, however, it’s necessary to know that even native speakers make some pronunciation and grammar mistakes. It is extremely important to recogn

Are you planning to learn Italian before your big trip? Below, Italian teacher Nadia B. shares some useful Italian phrases and etiquette tips for dining... Yum, la gastronomia italiana  (Italian cuisine) --the heartbeat of Italian life occurs around the dinner table, and you won't want to miss out on all of the delicious foods and wines when visiting Italy. Keep reading to discover some useful Italian phrases for going out to eat. Learning how to order and converse with your waiter

Are you considering learning a new language, but you’re not sure which one to choose? For many people, the hardest step in learning a foreign language is actually choosing which language to learn. We’ll make it easy for you—choose Italian! Italian is a romance language spoken by over 60 million people around the world. Not only is it a relatively easy and fun language to learn, but it’s also one of the most beneficial languages to study. Don’t believe us? Check out these 10 aw

When it comes to building a solid Italian grammar foundation, gender and number are two very important concepts one must learn. Unfortunately, they are also very troublesome for beginner students. Below Italian teacher, Nadia B. gives a quick and easy introduction to the two concepts... Ready to explore Italian grammar? For students, gender and number are often the most challenging concepts to understand, since they are used very differently in Italian than in English. However, with a

Do you have an Italian vocabulary quiz coming up soon? Studying for a vocab quiz isn't always as easy as it might seem. Simply reading through an Italian vocabulary list isn't enough to understand the meanings of the words or how to correctly use them in context. Below are some new strategies to mix up your study routine and ace your next quiz. 1. Flashcards With a Twist An oldie but a goodie, flashcards are one of the most inexpensive and effective techniques for learning vocabulary. Star

The Italian language has a very unique style and sound. And there's no doubt that Italians have their own sense of humor. Just like in English, Italians have a number of expressions and idioms they use when speaking. In addition to mastering essential vocabulary words, it's important that you learn these commonly-used expressions. After all, you don't want to misinterpret what someone is saying to you. Below are 10 funny Italian phrases that are truly unique to the Italian language and cultu

Many beginning Italian students ask, "How do I talk about my family in Italian?" If you're asking the same question, you've come to the right place! Family plays a big role in the Italian culture, so you should certainly learn the words and phrases for describing yours. As you continue to learn the Italian language and culture, you’ll start to understand the importance of la famiglia. And soon you’ll be asked to describe your family to others. Review the helpful Italian phrase

Are you planning a trip to Italy? Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, it’s important to be well prepared. And we're not just talking about making sure you have your passport and an extra pair of comfy shoes. Besides learning how to speak Italian, it’s important that you familiarize yourself with Italian customs and etiquette. After all, you don’t want to unknowingly offend anyone or get yourself into a sticky situation. Every country, including Italy, has its fair sh

If you want to learn Italian, YouTube videos can help in your journey! You can learn to speak Italian without even picking up a pen. Watching videos is a great way to learn a language; you can hear a variety of voices, listen to correct pronunciation, and decide when and where you want to learn. In this article, Italian teacher Liz T. takes you through 10 of her favorite YouTube channels for learning Italian... With the advent of the internet, learning a language today is easier tha

Are you struggling to perfect your Italian grammar skills? Below, Italian teacher Nadia B. highlights the 10 most common grammar mistakes to help you get on the path to success... When you're first learning Italian, it can be hard to keep track of all the complex grammar rules. Understanding all of the differences in how ideas are expressed in Italian versus in English, for example, can be hard to remember. Nonetheless, it's important that you master your Italian grammar skills if you wish

If you're taking a trip to Italy, chances are you're planning on doing some serious shopping. Below, Italian teacher Nadia B. shares some useful Italian phrases and tips for shopping in Italy... Do you have a trip to Italy planned? Besides the delicious food, Italy has some of the best shopping in the world. Whether you're looking for a souvenir for your loved one or some high-fashion duds for yourself, Italy has it all. In this article, we'll explore some useful Italian phrases for sh

Are you nervous about speaking Italian for the first time? Below, Italian teacher Nadia B. shares some tips on how to survive your first Italian conversation... You've memorized a long list of Italian vocabulary words, and you've practiced repeating them out loud with your Italian teacher. But, are you confident enough in your skills to have an Italian conversation with someone other than your Italian instructor? The following tips and tricks will teach you how to navigate through y

Do you want to speak like an Italian native? Below, Italian teacher Giulio G. shares the five most common Italian pronunciation mistakes and how to avoid them... Italian is a relatively phonetic language, which means that almost each grapheme corresponds to a singular phoneme. In other words, the Italian language is spoken as it is written. Thanks to this characteristic of the language, it is easy to learn proper Italian pronunciation just by knowing the alphabet. However, there ar

Is your child an animal lover? Below, Italian teacher Liz T. teaches a vocabulary lesson on how to name the different types of animals in Italian... Is your child just starting to learn Italian? Keeping a child's attention while teaching him or her a new language can be difficult. Keep your child engaged by having him or her learn Italian vocabulary words for something he or she loves--animals! Below are various Italian vocabulary words for the most common animals as well as way

Are you planning on studying abroad in Italy in the near future? If so, you're destined to have a wonderful time! In this article, Italian teacher Liz T. gives you four very important tips for your educational stay in Italy...   Education in Italy If you have the chance to study abroad while you’re in high school or in college, you should definitely study in Italy! Studying abroad can be one of the most rewarding opportunities of your life; academically, culturally, and socially. It

Italians are an expressive bunch of people. Below, Italian teacher Liz T. teaches a lesson in how to express emotions using common Italian words and phrases... The Italian language is one of the most emotionally expressive languages. In fact, Italians are not afraid to speak what’s on their mind, and certainly not afraid to show their emotions. When it comes to emotions, the Italians have quite a few words and phrases to express them. From "mortificato" to "abbondanza," this infogr

Are you traveling to Italy this summer or simply want to brush up on your Italian vocabulary? Below, Italian teacher Nadia B. shares some useful Italian words and phrases for the summer... It's summertime, which means it's time for some fun in the sun. In addition to your sunblock and hat, don't forget to bring along these helpful Italian words and phrases for the summer (or, in Italian, l'estate). In doing so, you can continue to enrich your Italian studies, while also having some fun.

Are your ears free? If so, you can start learning Italian right now! In this article, Italian teacher Liz T. shows you the top 10 podcasts for learning Italian and why they're worth your time...   No one said learning Italian has to be boring. One of the most entertaining and effortless ways to learn a language is by listening to podcasts. Podcasts give language-learners lots of invaluable benefits, such as hearing correct pronunciation and learning while on-the-go. Does this

  Are you ready to learn the colors of the rainbow in Italian? Below, Italian teacher Liz T. provides an introduction to Italian colors... When it comes to Italian vocabulary, learning the colors is always a fun activity--especially for beginner students. Learning the various colors in Italian will help you expand your vocabulary and enrich your conversations. Below is a brief guide to help you recognize Italian colors, as well as how to pronounce them! Pink Rosa (Roh-sah)

Have you considered learning how to speak Italian? While taking Italian lessons with an experienced teacher is certainly a good idea, language-learning books can be a great supplement to traditional classes. Reading Italian books - particularly Italian books that are meant to teach the language to beginners - is a great way to boost your skills and proficiency in this language.  In fact, many teachers encourage or even require their students to utilize Italian books while not in class

Learning basic vocabulary words helps you build a solid language foundation. Below, Italian teacher Nadia B. shares some of the most essential Italian vocabulary words to add to your study list... Are you ready to start learning Italian? Before you dive into the more difficult lessons like grammar and writing, it's best to start with a foundation of basic Italian vocabulary words. Learning these words will give you a running start, and enable you to communicate in a simple, yet clear way

Learning new vocabulary doesn't get you far unless you know proper Italian pronunciation. Italian is known for being one of the most beautiful languages, and learning how to correctly speak it is all about mastering the right sounds. In this article, you'll learn the five basic rules of Italian pronunciation for beginners. 5 Rules for Italian Pronunciation Let's take a look at five Italian pronunciation rules to help you better understand this language. After the video, keep

Navigating through the complex world of dating is hard enough, let alone trying to do it in a foreign country. Below, Italian teacher Nadia B. shares some useful Italian phrases and tips for dating... You've tried Italian cuisine, explored every inch of the Vatican, and survived your first Italian conversation. Is dating an Italian next on your bucket list? Perhaps you're planning on studying abroad in Italy, or you're simply mesmerized by the sophisticated allure of Italians. Whatever

Mastering Italian pronunciation is often the hardest thing about learning Italian. Don't get discouraged if you're having a hard time pronouncing words and phrases as it takes time and a lot of practice to get it right. Below, Italian teacher Delilah B. provides some tips on how to speak like a native Italian... A lot of students ask me what is the best and easiest way to pronounce Italian words. While Italian pronunciation can be difficult for beginners, it's actually quite easy to pick

There are so many fun, interesting facts about Italy that it's hard to compile just one short list. Whether you're planning your next vacation to Italy or you're just curious about this fascinating culture, learning everything you can about the country will make you even more impressed with all Italy has to offer. Here, we've compiled the top 50 most interesting facts about Italy that we think you'll enjoy. What Are 10 Interesting Facts About Italy? Here are 10 interesting facts abou

When learning a foreign language, memorizing vocabulary is one of the most important steps. A college-level mastery of Italian grammar or a near perfect accent means nothing without a solid foundation of Italian vocabulary. In fact, many claim that a vocabulary of at least 3,000 words is necessary to obtain fluency in a foreign language. If you're having a hard time getting your Italian vocabulary list to stick - don't give up, as there are many tactics to help you memorize words mor

When it comes to Italian grammar, understanding the informal and formal 'you' can be very difficult. Below, Italian teacher Giulio G. shares some tips and tricks on how master this common Italian grammar conundrum... In the Italian language, there are three ways to say 'you'; tu (informal) Lei (formal) and Voi (plural). For beginner Italian students, it can be difficult to determine the correct form when speaking. After all, there's only one 'you' in the English language. Noneth

Mastering the Italian alphabet is an important building block in your learning process. Are you just starting Italian lessons? Learning Italian can seem difficult, but the alphabet is actually very easy to memorize. This is because the Italian alphabet is very similar to the English alphabet, except for a few key differences. Most notably, the Italian alphabet doesn't have the letters J, K, W, X or Y. It’s important that you learn how to pronounce the letters of the Italian alpha

While in-person Italian lessons can be extremely valuable, some people simply lack the time and money to schedule regular sessions. In this case, learning Italian online is a great option. The Benefits of Learning Italian Online Learning Italian online - or any language for that matter - has many advantages, such as: Flexible scheduling: Trying to sync schedules with a tutor can be difficult for some students. Whether you prefer to take lessons late at night or early in the morning, you

Did you know that there’s an estimated 50,000 Americans who’ve temporarily or permanently relocated to Italy? Whether it’s for work, warmer temperatures, or simply a new start, Americans are buying one-way tickets to Italy. And we don’t blame them! The country’s food, weather, people, and culture make it a very desirable place to live. Don’t be fooled, however, by the laissez faire lifestyle. Moving to Italy—or any foreign country for that matter—is no walk in the

Are you planning on taking a trip to Italy? A travel dictionary is a great resource to have on hand. However, it doesn't always list common phrases and expressions used by native Italians. Below, Italian teacher Christopher S. shares 10 useful Italian phrases that you won't find in a travel dictionary... Italian is an extremely expressive language. Not only is it beautiful for the way it sounds and the theatrical hand gestures, it's also beautiful because of its rich expressions. Like m

Did you know that in Brazil its bad luck to let your wallet or purse hit the floor, as it means you’ll lose money? Or that in France it’s actually good luck to step in dog poop with your left foot? Like many countries, Italy has its fair share of wacky traditions and superstitions. In fact, Italy is said to be one of the most superstitious countries in the world. Below, we explore the 15 strangest Italian traditions and superstitions. Review this list before traveling to Italy to m

Italian grammar can be a tough thing for beginners to master. Below, Italian teacher Giulio G. gives a brief lesson in recognizing Italian cognates and false cognates... Although English and Italian belong to two different language families, they have lexis similarities. In fact, it is estimated that around 30 percent of the English vocabulary comes from Romance and Latin sources. It's for this exact reason why it is possible to find many cognates--or words that sound or are spelled

Whether you are traveling through Italy or looking to make some Italian friends along the way, picking up a few Italian slang words can work wonders to help you truly sound like a native. Because some of these phrases may be regional or highly informal, you might not find them in Italian dictionaries, textbooks, or even phrase books.  To help you master some popular Italian phrases, we’ve listed out some common Italian slang terms and phrases that will get you speaking like a local. Some o

Learning Italian grammar and vocabulary can be difficult for kids. Below, Italian teacher Nadia B. shares some games parents and teachers can play to help engage kids in learning Italian... For kids, learning Italian can be a great adventure, filled with exciting new discoveries. As your child explores the joy of learning Italian, you can aid him or her by playing fun Italian grammar and vocabulary games. These games are chock-full of fun activities so that learning Italian can become less