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How to Ask for Permission Politely ...
In a conversation, it is all fun and games until both parties run out of things to say. Perhaps, a speaker made a concession or asked for something, so a “Thank you” is in order. But what about the receiving end? Choosing the wrong reply might give an erroneous impression or send the wrong message. Welcome in Italian is “benvenuto”, but does that really help?
How you say You are welcome in Italian can affect the subtext. That is, the overall meaning of the exchange. The following replies will further explain how Italians deal with parting words. Of course, you will learn / revisit the basics first. But later in this post, we will plunge into darker and more sinister shades. But let’s start off with some easy phrases. Or even better, a single word. Come on, it can’t get easier than that!
Table of Contents
- How Do You Say You’re Welcome In Italian?
- 1. Prego
- 2. Quando vuoi
- 3. Con piacere
- How to say you’re welcome in Italian meaning “No Problem”
- 1. Non c’è problema
- 2. Di niente / 3. di nulla
- 4. Non c’è di che
- 5. È stato un piacere
- 6. Si figuri
- Versions of “You are Welcome in Italian” to be a bit careful with
- 1. Ci mancherebbe
- 2. Ma (che) scherzi?
- 3. Non ci siamo capiti
How Do You Say You’re Welcome In Italian?
1. Prego
Every beginner should learn this word because this is what Italian children learn first as well. In detail, the duo “Grazie” (Thank you) and “Prego” goes way back to the Middle Ages. Prego is a formal response with an unexpected German ancestor: the word “bitte“.
Prego literally translates into “I pray“. Back in the old days, Italian people used to ask/pray for the honor of dealing with a welcomed counterpart. So, the courteous reply stuck around even though these days, most Italians use it without any passion or steadfast commitment.
2. Quando vuoi
Here is the Italian version of the English “Anytime!” response. Virtually no difference exists in usage. But you can adapt the Italian version to a more formal “Quando vuole” when replying in a formal setting. In old movies, the Italian actor or voiceover would articulate these words with a mellifluous voice when parting from a desirable woman. So, a sensual connotation is sometimes attached to this variant.
Example: “Grazie mille peril tuo aiuto.” — “Quando vuoi.”
“Thank you very much for your help.” — “Anytime!”
3. Con piacere
Another friendly reply which means “with pleasure.”
Example: “Grazie per avermi aiutato a portare la spesa a casa.” – “Con piacere!”
“Thank you for helping me carry the groceries home.” — “With pleasure!”
How to say you’re welcome in Italian meaning “No Problem”
1. Non c’è problema
“Non c’è problema” is the literal translation of the English “no problem.” It can be used both in formal and informal situations.
2. Di niente / 3. di nulla
Both phrases translate as “it’s nothing.” Both are short and informal, but still polite.
Example: “Grazie per avermi permesso di usare il tuo cellulare.” — “Di niente!”
“Thank you for letting me use your phone.” — “It’s nothing!”
4. Non c’è di che
Here is another neutral way to say you are welcome in Italian. Unlike “Prego“, this reply shows a little resolve because it stops any further comment. In a way, it is similar to “Don’t mention it“, but “Non c’è di che” (There is nothing to it) is both dry and vague as it displays a stylistic expression of staleness.
Example: “Grazie per il vostro aiuto!” — “Non c’è di che.”
“Thank you for your help.” — “Don’t mention it.”
5. È stato un piacere
A more upbeat and formal version of this reply is “È stato un piacere.” As the literal translation reveals, “it has been a pleasure” is an apt response to most situations. Of course, the tone of your voice can change both expressions. But saying “Non c’è di che” with a smile always feels slightly off when compared with a more friendly “È stato un piacere.” Even when you pronounce the latter with a growly voice.
Example: “Grazie per l’invito a cena.” — “È stato un piacere.”
“Thank you for the invitation to dinner.” — “It has been a pleasure.”
6. Si figuri
A third option is “Si figuri“. Mainly, this is an extremely formal reply you use with a professional. For example, a lawyer or a physician. But you might also hear it in a street market as an attempt to make the potential customer feel more important and valuable. Also used in the form of “si figurati,” which is less formal.
Versions of “You are Welcome in Italian” to be a bit careful with
1. Ci mancherebbe
This colloquial locution is the short version of “Ci mancherebbe altro“. In general, you may use either phrases with friends or people on the same level as you. Most likely, an Italian retail seller might use it to make an old customer feel younger. But it is not recommendable to use this reply with an old-fashioned person who prefers to use the third person when speaking with strangers.
Although you can use it in an informal business setting, please stick with the complete version “Ci mancherebbe altro“. Otherwise, the short version might sound dismissive on the other end. Translating this phrase is also a bit challenging because of its structure. In a sense, you are stating that you need nothing else from the other person. But the speaker is actually using a conditional tense. So, the focus is on the likelihood that the speaker would act differently.
“Ci mancherebbe altro” is a gracious way to say that you would have never done otherwise. On top of that, it adds a nuance that you are glad to have done so. This is why it can sound belittling to people with more power or status than you.
2. Ma (che) scherzi?
You might hear such a response if you speak with a nervous Italian native speaker. So, I want to shed some light on this reply because its translation could boggle your mind. After all, the other person replies to Thanks with “Are you joking?“
Some Italians will refrain from acting seriously no matter what. Especially in the central regions. Contemporary Romans are known to behave in a jolly manner. So, they might use such a reply and even use the formal variant “Ma che scherza?” or “Non lo dica neanche per scherzo” (which basically means the same thing). Also, expect such a response if you are traveling to Tuscany.
I would not advise using this reply until you are fluent in Italian. While understanding its meaning can clear up any doubt in your mind, proper use is a whole new subject. Intonation and inflection can add a whole range of meanings and subtleties. But if an Italian native speaker seems eager to please or anxious, you can be sure that it is a positive dismissal.
3. Non ci siamo capiti
As some Italian stereotypes suggest, not every Italian acts amiable. Sometimes, you find a shady character or malicious fellow who tries to gain an edge on you. Such a reply turns the tables and injects new meaning into the conversation. This is the least friendly way to say “You’re welcome” in Italian because it would suit a mafia boss. Or at least one of his lackeys.
Often, such a reply repeats the thanking words. So, you would hear “Grazie? No. Non ci siamo capiti.” (Thanks? No. You didn’t get it.) In this case, you are implying that the other person owes you a favor.
Honestly, you can pull it off without sounding menacing. But you ought to clarify what you mean as soon as possible. Maybe you were following your boss’s order at work and did not want to look like someone trying to hit on the other person. Or you might avoid looking like someone who acts out of pity. So, you remind the other person that you had to do what you have done, and now you are even. It is a handy reply you cannot erase from your repertoire.
So, you should know the perfect reply to answer a friendly “grazie” in almost any situation now.
Grazie per aver imparato un po’ di italiano con me! — Si figuri!
Thank you for learning a little Italian with me! — You are welcome (in Italian)!
FAQs
What is the response for Grazie? ›
The response to grazie that you're most likely to use or hear is prego (you're welcome), or you could say di niente (not at all). For greater emphasis you can use s'immagini or si figuri in the formal form, and figurati informally (don't mention it).
What is a better way to say you're welcome? ›There are many different ways to say you're welcome. A few casual alternatives include no worries, no problem, and anytime. No worries. I'm happy to help!
How do you reply to tutto bene? ›When you're asked “Tutto bene?”, you can answer: SI, GRAZIE! A TE? – Yes, thanks!
What is Grazie tutti? ›English translation of Grazie a tutti in context
TRANSLATION. thank you all.
If you've just said Grazie to someone, they may reply with Prego literally meaning You're welcome or My pleasure.
What does Ragu mean in Italian? ›[raˈɡu ] invariable masculine noun. (Cookery) meat sauce. spaghetti al ragù spaghetti with meat sauce.
What does Capito mean? ›When used on its own, capito is the past participle of the verb capire and it just means 'got it' or 'understood'. This is usually used when you agree to do something, such as following an order at work.
What is allora? ›Allora (so, then, well) is one of those filler words that's highly useful when thinking of what to say in Italian. It buys you a little time and tells the listener you're thinking things over, especially when used by itself, or to introduce a sentence. Used by itself, it can express impatience: Allora!
What does Molto Bene? ›If you'd like to say “very good” in Italian, you'd generally say “molto bene.” That said, there are some common informal and/or slang expressions that convey the same idea: benissimo.
What does Tutto mean? ›An extremely useful word in Italian is tutto which translates as everything in English.
What's molto bene? ›
very well fine, okay. (Translation of molto bene from the PASSWORD Italian–English Dictionary © 2014 K Dictionaries Ltd)
What does Grazie molto mean? ›The Italian phrase, molte grazie, is pretty much what it sounds like. Molte means “many,” so this is the Italian version of “many thanks” that you might hear in various languages and is typically employed for informal exchanges.
What is Grazie ragazzi? ›Thank you, guys. Grazie, ragazzi, grazie. (Man) Thank you, guys.
Is it Grazie molto or Molto grazie? ›In Italian, adjectives must agree in gender and quantity. So the basic form molto becomes molte when used with grazie to become molte grazie (thank you very much). If you really want to add emphasis, you can add an -issime to the end of molte.
What does Scifo mean in Italian? ›Schifo is how you say 'disgust', which is exactly what you'll provoke in most Italians by drinking milky coffee after noon. It comes from an early Germanic word that meant 'to frighten' – the same that gave us the English word 'eschew'. In Italian it's most commonly used as an exclamation… Che schifo! How disgusting!
Why do Italians say Grazia? ›You say grazie when someone is offering you something that you want to accept, but you also use it if you want to refuse. Unlike English, there is no difference such as Yes, please/ No thanks in Italian. Italians say grazie in any case, both if they want to accept or to refuse.
What does Chow mean Italian? ›While ciao, pronounced "chow," is a casual Italian salutation that can mean both "hello" and "goodbye," most English speakers understand it as well.
Do they call it gravy in Italy? ›You can research this topic all day long and find that Italian-Americans connote “gravy” to mean a sauce with meat in it. But Italian chefs will tell you that is what's called a Ragu. Linguistically speaking “sauce” is probably a more accurate term, as it comes from the Italian word “salsa” – which means “topping”.
What is Pronto in Italian when on phone? ›Pronto literally means “ready”. So, when we answer the phone, we let the person on the other end know that we are ready to talk. This is why we say pronto to answer the phone.
What do they call spaghetti sauce in Italy? ›Widely used in Italian-American cuisine, it is known as alla marinara in Italy, where it is typically made with tomatoes, basil, and oregano, but also sometimes olives, capers, and salted anchovies. It is used for spaghetti and vermicelli, but also with meat or fish.
Is Tutto Bene Italian? ›
Pictures bearing the slogan andrà tutto bene – everything will be alright – are all over Italian social media today as people seek to reassure each other and brighten up days spent at home under quarantine.
What does Joda mean in Italian? ›Interjection. joda. emphatic of jo: Yes, yes indeed, of course; in disagreement with the last speaker's negative statement.
What does Avoja mean in Italian? ›Avoja! – This word means 'very much' or “a lot”. Dai – “come on”. In Romanesco it is often written as 'daje'.
Why do Italians say Prego? ›When someone says “thank you”, Italians reply with prego. That's how you say “you're” welcome in Italian.
Is Que Bella Italian? ›So it will come as no surprise to hear that today's phrase is used a lot in Italy. Che bello literally translates as “how beautiful”. But the thing that may be surprising is just how often this exclamation is deployed.
What Toto means in Italian? ›Italian (Sicily) : from the personal name Toto (a pet form of Salvatore or Antonio). Greek (Totos) : from Albanian toto 'priest'. It is sometimes found forming a surname in combination with personal names, as in Totogiannis 'John the priest'.
How do you use Tutto Bene? ›Tutto bene. All's good. If you are alright, you can just say “tutto bene”, meaning “all's good.”
What is the meaning of La Dolce Vita? ›noun. (usually prec. by la) sweet life; the good life perceived as one of physical pleasure and self-indulgence.
What is Molto Bella? ›[Italian] fem. Very Pretty or Very Beautiful.
What is Tutti Italian? ›everybody, everyone [pronoun] every person.
What is Tutto posto? ›
– Tutto a posto? – Perfetto, grazie. – Everything alright? – Great, thanks. You might hear Italians pronounce this last one more like “tutto posto” or “tutt'a posto”: that's fine in casual speech, but if you're writing be sure to spell out all three words.
What does Ciao tutti mean? ›If you want to address a group of people say 'Ciao a tutti' which means 'Hello everyone. ' You can also say 'Ciao' to say 'goodbye.
What is bene Noir? ›bête noire (plural bêtes noires) An anathema; someone or something which is particularly disliked or avoided; an object of aversion, the bane of one's existence. quotations ▼
What is Buona fortuna? ›good luck! an expression of encouragement made to someone who is about to take part in a competition, sit an exam etc. (Translation of buona fortuna from the PASSWORD Italian–English Dictionary © 2014 K Dictionaries Ltd)
What are two responses to Gracias? ›The response to gracias that you're most likely to use or hear is de nada (you're welcome), or you could say, if appropriate, a tí (thank you). For greater emphasis you can use no hay de qué (don't mention it).
What is the correct response to Merci? ›The usual response to merci is de rien (You're welcome – literally, It's nothing) or il n'y a pas de quoi. In a more formal context, you could say Je vous en prie or Je t'en prie.
Why do Italians say Prego after Grazie? ›It presumably is because of this original meaning (the verb “to pray”) that “prego” has become the instant reply to “grazie”, which means “thanks”. Once it presumably was an expression to wish someone well who had been nice to you, something like “I pray for your well-being”.
What means Grazie Mille? ›Give a million (or a thousand) thanks with grazie mille
English speakers are more familiar with this saying as “a million thanks,” but in both French and Italian, the same sentiment of gratitude is offered as “a thousand thanks.” While mille sounds like the English word “million,” it actually translates to “thousand.”
This is the most common way to say You're welcome in Spanish. What can I say instead of De nada? You can also say Con gusto, A la orden, No es nada, and Por nada, depending on the situation.
What is the best response to Muchas Gracias? ›De nada is the most common way to say 'you're welcome' in Spanish. It literally translates to English as 'of nothing'. You'll hear it in both formal and informal contexts, so there's no limitation on where it can be used. Muchas gracias por la ayuda.
What do you reply to Hola? ›
This phrase means “how are you?” and can be used not only to find out how somebody is feeling, but can also be used as a way to say hello. If in passing someone says “hola!” to you, it would acceptable to reply: “como estas?”
How to reply to thank you? ›- “Happy to!” Delighting someone else is one of the great pleasures of being human. ...
- “It was my pleasure.” ...
- “I'm so glad you liked it!” ...
- “I'm so glad it was helpful!” ...
- “Of course!” ...
- “It's an honor!” ...
- “Any time!” ...
- “You're most welcome.”
: thank you very much.
How do you respond to de rien? ›2. The informal “you're welcome”: je t'en prie. Like 'de rien', which is certainly the most casual way to say you're welcome in French, 'je t'en prie' is another informal way to respond to someone who expressed their gratitude towards you.
Why do Italians say Alora? ›Allora (so, then, well) is one of those filler words that's highly useful when thinking of what to say in Italian. It buys you a little time and tells the listener you're thinking things over, especially when used by itself, or to introduce a sentence.
How is Prego used in Italy? ›The most common translation is 'you're welcome': prego is what you say when someone else thanks you. – Grazie mille! – Prego.
What does Molto bello? ›[Italian] masc. Very Handsome.
What is buona sera mean? ›Interjection. buonasera. good evening. (regional) good afternoon.