prego
/ˈprɛ.ɡo/
prego is the Italian way to say you're welcome.
In most daily social interactions, prego functions as a formulaic polite expression used to say "you're welcome" in response to "grazie".
What does it mean word for word?
The word prego is the first-person singular present indicative of the verb pregare, meaning "I pray" or "I beg".
Which one should you use?
While prego literally means "I pray", it is used as a polite social formula rather than a literal statement of prayer.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ˈprɛ.ɡo/. It has 2 syllables, with the stress on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- If you say prego? with a rising intonation, it acts as a polite way to say 'Pardon?' or 'What did you say?'
- If you are working in a shop and a customer approaches you, you can say prego to mean 'Please, come in' or 'How can I help you?'
- When someone passes you in a narrow hallway and you want to let them go first, you can say prego to mean 'After you'.
Examples in context
- Si accomodi, prego.Please, have a seat.
Example conversation
Lorenzo holds the door open for Sofia.
- LorenzoPrego, Sofia.After you, Sofia.
- SofiaGrazie, Lorenzo.Thank you, Lorenzo.
- LorenzoDi nulla, prego.It's nothing, you're welcome.
- SofiaSei molto gentile.You are very kind.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry prego, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
