Italian expressions you'll hear every day (and what they really mean)
Allora, dai, magari, boh, figurati. The small Italian words that fill every conversation, what they mean in context, and how to start using them naturally.
· 2 min read
Textbook Italian is full of complete, tidy sentences. Real Italian is full of small words that carry tone, buy time and keep a conversation moving. You can understand every noun and verb in a conversation and still feel lost, because the meaning is sitting in a dai or an allora.
Here are the ones you'll hear most, with how they're actually used.
Allora
Literally "then" or "so", but used constantly to start a sentence, change topic or fill a pause. Allora, cosa prendiamo? ("So, what are we having?") A shop assistant might greet you with just Allora?, meaning "So, what can I do for you?"
Dai
From dare (to give), but in conversation it means "come on!" It can encourage (Dai, ce la fai!, "Come on, you can do it!"), urge (Dai, andiamo, "Come on, let's go"), or express disbelief (Ma dai!, "No way!").
Magari
"Maybe", but also "I wish!" or "if only". Context decides. Magari domani is "maybe tomorrow". But if someone asks whether you've won the lottery, Magari! means "I wish!"
Boh
A shrug turned into a word: "no idea", "who knows". Very informal and very common. Often accompanied by an actual shrug.
Figurati
"Don't mention it", "not at all", or "of course not". Thank someone for a small favour and you might hear Figurati! The formal version is Si figuri.
Mi raccomando
Hard to translate directly: something like "please make sure", "don't forget". Parents say it to children constantly: Mi raccomando, chiama quando arrivi ("Make sure you call when you arrive").
In bocca al lupo
"Into the wolf's mouth": Italian for "good luck", especially before an exam or interview. The traditional reply is crepi (roughly "may it die", meaning the wolf). Saying grazie instead is common too, though some people consider crepi the proper answer.
Meno male
"Thank goodness", "luckily". Meno male che sei arrivato ("Thank goodness you've arrived").
Ecco
"Here it is", "there you go", or a word to mark a point. A waiter putting down your coffee: Ecco a lei. Someone finishing an explanation: Ecco, as in "there you have it".
Insomma
"In short", "well...", or, with the right tone, "so-so". Come stai? — Insomma... means things aren't great.
Vabbè
A contraction of va bene ("OK"), usually with a hint of resignation: "oh well", "fine, whatever". Il treno è in ritardo? Vabbè, prendiamo un caffè.
How to start using them
These words are mostly about tone, so they're best learned by hearing them. A few tips:
- Listen for them first. Watch an Italian series and notice how often allora, dai and boh appear. Then start using the ones that feel natural to you.
- Use one or two at a time. Dropping allora at the start of your sentences, or answering thanks with figurati, makes you sound more natural immediately.
- Learn them with a sentence. Magari means little on its own; Magari domani! is memorable.
Several of these, along with hundreds of other everyday words, are in the Italian A1 flashcards. And if you're travelling, you'll hear half of them before your first coffee; ordering coffee in Italy is a good place to put them into practice.