Do you need to know Italian to visit Italy?

Question

Do you need to know Italian to visit Italy?

Answer 1

Um, not really, just sort of the basics, and if you know spanish or French that's kind of good too. I live in Europe, and some Europeans (France and Itally) don't like English-speaking tourists!

Answer 2

You need to know a little bit. Some people there speak english, but not very well so you have to really listen through the accent. Plus it a big tourist attraction so you will find some english speaking people there.. But it does help to speak it, because there are a few words just like when speaking spanish, that have no english translation. So bring a English-Italian dictionary with you it would be very handy.  Some of the people from  different countries hate tourists who don't even try to learn their language.But once you get there you will love it, it is very pretty, depending on what you want to do you don't even need a car to get around. the buildings and shops are so beautiful. you will love it. I went last year to go look for my prom dress. I didn't even want to come home.Hope the info helps.

Answer 3

not really, its quite a tourist place.. i live in milan and usually after 2 glasses of red wine im sure you could make yourself understood even in china

Answer 4

Of course you don’t need to.  And it is not because Italians speak English, (most of them don’t speak it fluently, yet many speak English in a way that allows basic communication and that will get you what you need as a tourist… sleeping and eating basically…)

But you should try to; it’ll get you closer to the local people (not only in Italy) if they see you make some efforts to speak their own language.  It breaks the ice, it’ll create laughs (cause you’ll speak funny…) and laughs are always good. And most important: it will make you understand better where you are and what you see. Different places are not only museums, landscapes, restaurants and monuments, it’s also the people and their cultures. A language is just one great aspect to learn a culture.

Answer 5

No, but speaking the language heightens the experience. Americans are assumed to be lazy and arrogant expecting others to speak their language while they make no effort to learn the language of the country their visiting. Surprise them and learn a little, I did, it took some time but it was worth it.

Answer 6

No but it is a courtesy to the country you are visiting to at least learn a few basic words like please, thank you, good morning and such like.

It would probably enhance your visit if you could learn a bit more as well though.  One of the most exciting things about travelling is communicating with the locals.  You learn so much about the world which is otherwise lost to you.  

It's the difference between seeing the outside and understanding the heart of where you are!

Enjoy your trip.

Hope this helped.

Answer 7

hi!i'm italian. you can speak english but not everybody understand.

also you can learn some words like:

ciao = hi

buongiorno = goodmorning

dove si trova? = where is...?

parli inglese? = do you speak english?

grazie = thank you

bye bye and don't worry, Italy is so beautiful!

the South of Italy is friendly ;)

kisses, Antonella

Answer 8

no, i was there last year and i only know a few words in italian and we had no trouble what so ever. you will have a great time as its a beautiful place

Answer 9

If you can, visit Italy just now. And you'll be O.K. with a little English and few usual words in Italian.

Answer 10

When I visited Venice and Northern Italy I spoke no Italian and got along just fine. There were enough English-speaking people to help me through any situation.

Answer 11

No,you don't need to know Italian to visit Italy.

As already posted in a few previous answers in the  tourist sites there are persons well trained to communicate with all the foreign visitors of our Country and English it's the most spoken language (in particular by youngest Italians).

Only if you move from tourist routes you could face with some difficulties but if you don't forget to speak slowly there will be always somebody that will be able (even if just with the hands language) to understand you.

A small dictionary (pocket size) could be however helpful just in case of real emergences.