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https://icebergproject.co/italian/2017/01/how-to-make-a-phone-call-in-italian/
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When I stayed in Viterbo for a week during my most recent trip to Italy, I used Air B&B and
stayed at this cute little apartment called Gli Archi.
Before arriving, my mother and I were taking the train from Firenze, and we had a stopover
in Bomarzo.
In true Italian train system reliability, our train to Viterbo never came.
We had to wait another hour and a half for the next train to Viterbo and then I had to let
the host’s wife, Nicoletta, who was picking us up from Porta Fiorentina train station, know
that we would be delayed.
I called her on my phone (the TMobile Simple Plan for International service is genius), and
this is how our conversation went.
Cher: Pronto?
Nicoletta: Pronto?
Cher: Ciao Nicoletta, sono Cher!
Nicoletta: Ciao Cher, come stai?
Cher: Sto benissimo, e lei?
Nicoletta: Sto bene, sto bene.
Cher: Senta. Il treno è in ritardo.
Nicoletta: (groan of understanding at the oh-so-reliable train system)
Cher: Penso che arriveremo alle 15.30, ma non ne sono sicura.
Nicoletta: Non preoccuparti, mandami un messagio quando sali sul treno.
Cher: Va bene. Ciao ciao.
Nicoletta: Ciao ciao.
So how did we start?
When you call someone on the phone, Italians will most likely say “Pronto?” where we say
“Hello?”
CPF: As an adjective “pronto” means “ready”, as in Spongebob’s signature phrase “Sono
pronto” – I’m ready.”
Then I introduce myself to her seeing that she knows that I have her number and would be
in touch.
8/24/2019, 10:18 PM
Intel Report Confirms China Developing Stealthy Tactical Bomber In Addition To Strategic Bomber ...
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https://icebergproject.co/italian/2017/01/how-to-make-a-phone-call-in-italian/
She starts with standard greetings (come stai?), and I answer (sto benissimo, e lei?).
A�er she answers (sto bene, sto bene), I start talking about why I’m calling.
Once we get through that, I say bye and so does she.
Conversations like this, where the information to be relayed is straightforward, are going to
be simple.
Below are some other phrases that you might need during a phone conversation:
(Most of the phrases below are in informal language, so change if necessary.)
— Mi senti? – Can you hear me?
— Sì. Ti sento. – I can hear you.
— No, non ti sento. – I can’t hear you.
— Resti in linea – Stay on the line.
— Un attimo – One moment
— Salve! – Hi! (This should be used in more formal situations.)
— Scusi, ho sbagliato numero. – Sorry, I got the wrong number.
— Vorrei prenotare un tavolo per due stasera alle 20. – I would like to reserve a table for
two tonight at eight.
— Con chi parlo? – Who am I speaking with?
— Parli più lentamente, per favore. – Speak more slowly, please.
— È caduta la linea. – The line has been cut o�. (We were disconnected.)
— Fammi uno squillo più tardi. – Give me a ring later.
— Ti richiamo dopo – I will call you later (in case the other person needs to know
something else/needs to verify something in between)
— Ti disturbo / La disturbo – Am I interrupting you? (polite way to ask if the person can
talk at that moment or he/she is busy)
— Ci sentiamo! – We’ll hear from each other!
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https://icebergproject.co/italian/2017/01/how-to-make-a-phone-call-in-italian/
— Devo andare! – I’ve got to go!
— A dopo! – Later!
If someone doesn’t answer, you might hear a standard message from the “segreteria
telefonica”.
Here are a couple phrases you might need during a Skype conversation:
— Il video si è bloccato. – The screen is frozen.
— È caduta la linea. – The line has been cut o�. (We were disconnected.)
Is there a phrase you still want to know? Leave it below, and I’ll add it.
8/24/2019, 10:18 PM