parlare italiano
/parˈla.re i.taˈlja.no/word by word
To speak Italian in Italian is parlare italiano.
The phrase is used to describe the ability or action of communicating using the Italian language.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb within the phrase changes depending on who is performing the action in the present tense. To say "I speak Italian", use parlo italiano. To say "you speak Italian" in an informal way, use parli italiano. For "he/she speaks Italian" or the formal "you speak Italian", use parla italiano.
How do you pronounce it?
The phrase consists of 6 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable: /parˈla.re i.taˈlja.no/.
Did you know?
- The word parlare is closely related to the English word 'parley', used when opposing sides agree to discuss terms during a conflict.
- While you can parlare italiano, many Italians historically spoke regional languages so distinct that they were considered separate languages rather than dialects.
- The word parlare comes from the Latin parabolāre, which originally meant to speak in parables or tell a story.
Examples in context
- La persona danese prova a parlare italiano all'inizio della conversazione.The Danish person tries to speak Italian at the beginning of the conversation.This sentence shows how the phrase parlare italiano is used when describing someone attempting to use the language.Tatoeba #876599 by Guybrush88, translation #876598 by shekitten
- Scusi, può parlare italiano?Excuse me, can you speak Italian?
- Le chiederei gentilmente di parlare italianoI kindly ask you to speak Italian
- Parla italiano?Do you speak Italian?
- Per favore, parla italianoPlease speak Italian
- Siamo contenti che tu voglia imparare l'italiano!We're glad you want to learn Italian!
- Vuoi imparare a parlare italiano?Do you want to learn to speak Italian?
- Mio fratello sa parlare italiano molto bene.My brother can speak Italian very well.
Example conversation
Chiara and Alessandro are talking about their language studies.
- ChiaraAlessandro, riesci a parlare italiano con i turisti?Alessandro, can you speak Italian with the tourists?
- AlessandroSì, riesco a parlare italiano un po'.Yes, I can speak a little Italian.
- ChiaraSei molto bravo!You are very good!
- AlessandroGrazie, Chiara, continuo a studiare.Thank you, Chiara, I am continuing to study.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (parlare, italiano) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries italiano, parlare, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
