Tag Archives: shopping in Italy
Tongue-Tied? – Keep It Simple! Posted by Geoff on Aug 3, 2018
What student of Italian doesn’t dream of being able to pour forth impressive grammatically correct sentences, or hold fluent, colloquial discourses with the ‘natives’? But running before you can walk is quite likely to reduce you to a bumbling troglodyte! Oh, the amazing conversations that I had in my head when I was learning Italian…
La Lista Della Spesa Posted by Geoff on Oct 16, 2017
When you’re learning a language you need to use every opportunity to reinforce and internalise the grammar and vocabulary. Sometime, the most mundane of tasks can help you achieve this objective, such as writing una lista della spesa (a shopping list). Who knows, it might even make your shopping experience a little bit more fun!…
Al Negozio Di Casalinghi Posted by Serena on Oct 12, 2017
Today we’re going shopping in un negozio di casalinghi (a household goods store). Let’s see what we can find. Cliente: Buongiorno! Customer: Good morning! Negoziante: Buongiorno Signora! Desidera? Shopkeeper: Good morning Madam! How can I help you? Cliente: mi servirebbero i ricambi per la moka da tre. Customer: I need a change of parts for…
At The Greengrocer’s In Italy Posted by Serena on Jun 7, 2017
Today we are going to do some shopping at il fruttivendolo (the greengrocer’s). I hope you find the vocabulary useful. Buona lettura! Giovanna (una donna solare, chiacchierona e scherzosa): “Chi servo?” Giovanna (a radiant, chatty and humorous lady): “Who’s next?” Serena: “Tocca a me! Allora … mi serve un chilo di patate” Serena: “It’s my…
Buying Clothes in Italy – Part 1 Posted by Serena on Apr 8, 2016
A couple have been invited to una festa in maschera (a fancy dressing party) and they’ve decided to mascherarsi (dress up) as Bonnie and Clyde. They go down town to root around the mercatino delle pulci (flea market) were vintage clothing is sold: Marito: “Mi servono un paio di pantaloni a vita alta, taglia 48…
At The Clothing Store in Italy Posted by Serena on Feb 10, 2016
The setting: un negozio di abbigliamento in una città italiana (a clothing store in an Italian town) The caracters: una coppia e la commessa (a couple and the shop assistant) Moglie: “Guarda, ci sono i saldi, perché non ne approfitti per comprarti un bel giaccone per l’inverno” Wife: “Look, the sales are on, why don’t…
Having Your Watch Fixed in Italy Posted by Serena on Jan 12, 2016
The setting: il negozio di un orologiaio (the watchmakers/repairers shop) in a small town in Italy The characters: Serena (the client), and l’orologiaio (the watchmaker) Serena: “Buongiorno, ho bisogno di cambiare la batteria dell’orologio” Serena: “Good morning, I need to change the battery in my watch” Orologiaio: “Mi dia pure l’orologio che guardiamo il tipo…