parlo italiano
To say "I can speak italian" in Italian, use parlo italiano.
The phrase is used to state that you have the ability to communicate in the Italian language. You can add con fluidità to the end of your statement to specify that you speak with fluency. If you wish to be more modest or accurate about your level, you can say parlo un po' di italiano to mean "I speak a little Italian".
What does it mean word for word?
The word parlo is the first-person singular present indicative form of the verb parlare, meaning "I speak".
Which one should you use?
While parlo italiano focuses on the actual act of speaking, the alternative phrase so l'italiano (using the verb sapere) is often used to express the possession of knowledge of the language. Additionally, while parlo italiano is very common, you can also say parlo l'italiano by including the definite article, which is also grammatically correct.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Italian, the subject pronoun io (I) is often omitted in this phrase because the verb ending -o already indicates that the subject is "I".
Did you know?
- In Italy, someone might respond to parlo italiano with parli bene! even if the speaker is making many mistakes. This is often a social gesture of encouragement rather than a literal assessment of fluency.
- Depending on the region of Italy, a speaker might use local dialects that are so different from standard italiano that they are effectively different languages. In these cases, saying parlo italiano specifically refers to the formal national language.
- The verb parlare is a cognate of the English word 'parlance', which refers to a particular way of speaking. Both share a root reflecting the act of talking.
Examples in context
- Durante la riunione, posso parlare italiano.During the meeting, I can speak Italian.
- Grazie all'esperienza, sono in grado di parlare italiano con fluidità.Thanks to my experience, I am able to speak Italian fluently.
- Sono italiano, quindi so parlare italiano molto bene.I am Italian, so I know how to speak Italian very well.
- Non preoccuparti, parlo italiano senza problemi.Don't worry, I speak Italian without problems.
- Parlo italiano molto bene.I speak Italian very well.
- Non parlo italiano, solo inglese.I don't speak Italian, only English.
Example conversation
Giulia and Alessandro are meeting for the first time.
- GiuliaCiao! Parli italiano?Hi! Do you speak Italian?
- AlessandroSì, parlo italiano.Yes, I speak Italian.
- GiuliaChe bello, Alessandro!That's great, Alessandro!
- AlessandroGrazie, Giulia.Thank you, Giulia.
