Details

<p>Introduction 1</p> <p>About This Book 1</p> <p>Conventions Used in This Book 2</p> <p>Foolish Assumptions 3</p> <p>Icons Used in This Book 3</p> <p>Where to Go from Here 4</p> <p><b>Chapter 1: I Say It How? Speaking Italian 5</b></p> <p>You Already Know Some Italian 6</p> <p>Words that sound familiar 7</p> <p>Popular expressions 8</p> <p>Mouthing Off: Basic Pronunciation 10</p> <p>The vowel “a” 10</p> <p>The vowel “e” 11</p> <p>The vowel “i” 11</p> <p>The vowel “o” 11</p> <p>The vowel “u” 11</p> <p>Consonants that sound the same in Italian as they do in English 11</p> <p>The consonant “c” 12</p> <p>The consonant “g” 13</p> <p>The consonant “h” 14</p> <p>The consonant “q” 14</p> <p>The consonant “r” 14</p> <p>The consonant “s” 15</p> <p>The consonant “z” 15</p> <p>Double consonants 15</p> <p>Consonant clusters 16</p> <p>Stressing Words Properly 16</p> <p><b>Chapter 2: Grammar on a Diet: Just the Basics 19</b></p> <p>Setting Up Simple Sentences 19</p> <p>Coping with Gendered Words (Articles and Adjectives) 21</p> <p>Definite feminine articles 21</p> <p>Definite masculine articles 22</p> <p>The indefinite feminine article 23</p> <p>Indefinite masculine articles 23</p> <p>Adjectives 23</p> <p>Talking about Pronouns 25</p> <p>Personal pronouns 25</p> <p>Direct object pronouns 27</p> <p>Indirect object pronouns 28</p> <p>Saying “you”: Formal and informal 30</p> <p>Asking Questions 31</p> <p>Introducing Regular and Irregular Verbs 33</p> <p>Regular verbs 33</p> <p>Irregular verbs 36</p> <p>Presenting the Simple Tenses: Past, Present, and Future 38</p> <p>Past tense 38</p> <p>Present tense 42</p> <p>Future tense 42</p> <p><b>Chapter 3: Numerical Gumbo: Counting of All Kinds 45</b></p> <p>Counting Cardinals 45</p> <p>Ordering Ordinals 49</p> <p>Talking about Time 50</p> <p>The four seasons 50</p> <p>Decades 51</p> <p>Months of the year 51</p> <p>Days of the week 52</p> <p>Times of day 53</p> <p>Being early or late 54</p> <p>Getting Addresses and Phone Numbers 55</p> <p>Talking about streets 56</p> <p>Describing your home 56</p> <p>Using the verbs “vivere” and “abitare” 57</p> <p>Money, Money, Money 58</p> <p>Going to the bank 59</p> <p>Changing money 61</p> <p><b>Chapter 4: Making New Friends and Enjoying Small Talk 63</b></p> <p>Looking at Common Greetings and Good-byes 63</p> <p>Deciding whether to address someone formally or informally 65</p> <p>Responding to a greeting 65</p> <p>Specifying your reuniting 66</p> <p>Finding Out Whether Someone Speaks English 67</p> <p>Begging Your Pardon? 69</p> <p>Making Introductions 69</p> <p>Introducing yourself 70</p> <p>Introducing other people 71</p> <p>Getting Acquainted 73</p> <p>Talking about where you come from 73</p> <p>Being you, being there: Using the verbs “essere” and “stare” 78</p> <p>Talking about yourself and your family 81</p> <p>Chatting about the weather 82</p> <p><b>Chapter 5: Enjoying a Drink and a Snack (Or Meal) 85</b></p> <p>Eating and Drinking, Italian Style 85</p> <p>The Start and Finish of Dining Out 90</p> <p>Making reservations 90</p> <p>Paying for your meal 91</p> <p>Having Breakfast 92</p> <p>Eating Lunch and Dinner 93</p> <p>Savoring Italian soups and pasta dishes 94</p> <p>Using the verbs “prendere” and “volere” 95</p> <p>Ordering from the menu 97</p> <p>Savoring Dessert 99</p> <p><b>Chapter 6: Shop ’til You Drop! 101</b></p> <p>Departmentalizing Your Shopping 102</p> <p>Talking with a Sales Clerk 104</p> <p>Sizing Up Italian Sizes 105</p> <p>Choosing Colors and Fabrics 106</p> <p>Accessorizing 108</p> <p>Stepping Out in Style 109</p> <p>Shopping for Food 109</p> <p>Meats 110</p> <p>Seafood 110</p> <p>Produce 111</p> <p>Baked goods 113</p> <p>Paying for Your Purchases 114</p> <p><b>Chapter 7: Making Leisure a Top Priority 117</b></p> <p>Acquiring Culture 118</p> <p>Going to the movies 119</p> <p>Choosing your seat at the theater 121</p> <p>Going to a concert 122</p> <p>Inviting Fun 123</p> <p>Getting Out and About 125</p> <p>Enjoying the wonders of nature 125</p> <p>Taking a tour 127</p> <p>Playing sports 128</p> <p><b>Chapter 8: When You Gotta Work 133</b></p> <p>Talking Shop 133</p> <p>Common professions 134</p> <p>The human element 135</p> <p>Office equipment 136</p> <p>Chatting on the Phone 137</p> <p>Calling from a public phone 138</p> <p>Calling for business or pleasure 139</p> <p>Asking for People and Leaving a Message 141</p> <p><b>Chapter 9: I Get Around: Transportation 145</b></p> <p>Getting through the Airport 145</p> <p>Checking in 146</p> <p>Waiting to board the plane 147</p> <p>Taking care of business after landing 148</p> <p>Going through customs 148</p> <p>Renting a Car 149</p> <p>Navigating Public Transportation 151</p> <p>Taking a taxi 151</p> <p>Getting around by train 152</p> <p>Going by bus or tram 153</p> <p>Asking for Directions 154</p> <p>Asking for specific places 155</p> <p>Getting oriented 156</p> <p>Asking how far something is 159</p> <p>Verbs on the move 159</p> <p>Locations you may be looking for 161</p> <p><b>Chapter 10: Finding a Place to Lay Your Weary Head 163</b></p> <p>Reserving a Room 163</p> <p>Checking in and Getting Settled 166</p> <p>Using Plurals and Pronouns 170</p> <p>Making more in Italian 170</p> <p>Personalizing pronouns 173</p> <p><b>Chapter 11: Dealing with Emergencies 177</b></p> <p>Dealing with Car Trouble 178</p> <p>Talking to Doctors 180</p> <p>I’ve Been Robbed! Knowing What to Do and Say When the Police Arrive 185</p> <p>When You Need a Lawyer 187</p> <p><b>Chapter 12: Ten Favorite Italian Expressions 189</b></p> <p>Mamma mia! (My goodness!) 189</p> <p>Che bello! (How lovely!) 189</p> <p>Uffa! (Aargh!) 189</p> <p>Che ne so! (How should I know?) 189</p> <p>Magari! (If only!) 189</p> <p>Ti sta bene! (Serves you right!) 190</p> <p>Non te la prendere! (Don’t get so upset! / Don’t think about it!) 190</p> <p>Che macello! (What a mess!) 190</p> <p>Non mi va! (I don’t feel like it!) 190</p> <p>Mi raccomando! (Please, I beg you!) 190</p> <p><b>Chapter 13: Ten Phrases That Make You Sound Like a Local 191</b></p> <p>In bocca al lupo! (Good luck!) 191</p> <p>Acqua in bocca! (Don’t say a word!) 191</p> <p>Salute! (Bless you!) 191</p> <p>Macché! (Of course not! / Certainly not!) 192</p> <p>Neanche per sogno! (In your dreams!) 192</p> <p>Peggio per te! (Too bad for you!) 192</p> <p>Piantala! (Stop it!) 192</p> <p>Vacci piano! (Slow down! / Take it easy!) 192</p> <p>Gatta ci cova! (There’s something fishy going on!) 193</p> <p>Sono nel pallone! (I’m flustered!) 193</p> <p>Index 195</p>

<p><b>Francesca Romana Onofri</b> is an Italian teacher and translator. <p><b>Karen Möller</b> is a veteran language teacher and author.

<p>Quick & easy approach gives you language fundamentals up front <p>Words to Know sections help you find the right words fast <p>Pronunciation keys let you talk the talk <p><b>Hundreds of useful phrases at your fingertips</b> <p><b>Speak Italian — instantly!</b> <p>Shopping. Ordering dinner. Chatting about the weather. Talking about your family. Dealing with emergencies. Whether you're a traveler or student, this handy Italian phrase book makes everyday communication a breeze! <p><b>Get Smart!</br>www.dummies.com</b><br/> <ul> <li>Find listings of all our books</li><br/> <li>Choose from many different subject categories</li><br/> <li>Sign up for eTips at </br><b>etips.dummies.com</b></li> </ul> <p><b>Discover how to:</b><br/> Get directions, shop, and eat out<br/> Talk numbers, dates, time, and money<br/> Chat about family and work<br/> Discuss sports and the weather<br/> Deal with problems and emergencies

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