The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) includes six levels, that go from A1 for beginners to C2 for advanced users. Find out your Italian Beginner Vocabulary Study Plan.

A1 Beginner VOCABULARY Syllabus

What can an Italian student at the A1 level can do?
Learners who complete the A1 Beginner level:

  • understands and uses everyday language and simple sentences for immediate needs
  • can introduce themselves and other people and can ask and answer questions about personal facts, such as where they live, things they have and people they know
  • can communicate in a straightforward way if the other person communicates slowly and clearly.

You can practice your A1 listening, A1 reading (coming soon), and A1 speaking skills (coming soon) in our Skill section.

You can practice your A1 grammar in our Grammar area. You can practice your A1 vocabulary in our Vocabulary area.

You can look for learning materials by level, site section, or topic of interest.

Italian Level A1 Beginner Plan

A1 Beginner VOCABULARY Syllabus

Italian level A1 • CEFR

At the end of Italian level A1, you can:
  • understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases.
  • introduce yourself and others.
  • ask and answer questions about personal details (for example, where you live, people you know and things you have.
  • interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.

Let’s see it in full detail.

⚠️ for each general vocabulary description point, we mean phrases and words at a basic level

A1 level Italian skills in detail

1. Introduction to Italian Vocabulary

Greetings and farewells

  • Common greetings
    • Buongiorno (Good morning)
    • Buonasera (Good evening)
    • Ciao (Hello/Hi)
    • Arrivederci (Goodbye)
    • Etc.
  • Respond to greetings
    • Per favore (Please)
    • Scusa/Scusami (Excuse me/I’m sorry)
    • Mi dispiace (I’m sorry)
    • Perdonami (Forgive me)
    • Etc.

Expressions of politeness

  • Common expressions
    • Per favore (Please)
    • Grazie (Thank you)
    • Prego (You’re welcome)
    • Scusa/Scusami (Excuse me/I’m sorry)
    • Mi dispiace (I’m sorry)
    • Perdonami (Forgive me)
    • Etc.

Phrases to introduce yourself and talk about yourself

  • Common expressions
    • Mi chiamo… (My name is…)
    • Sono di… (I am from…)
    • Ho… anni. (I am… years old.)
    • Etc.

Invite and react positively to an invitation

  • Positive responses to invitations
    • Sì, con piacere! (Yes, with pleasure!)
    • Certo, mi piacerebbe! (Certainly, I would like that!)
    • Va bene, grazie! (Okay, thanks!)
    • Etc.
  • Polite ways to decline invitations
    • Mi dispiace, non posso. (I’m sorry, I can’t.)
    • Grazie, ma ho già altri impegni. (Thanks, but I already have other plans.)
    • Sarà per la prossima volta. (Maybe next time.)
    • Etc.
  • Expressing enthusiasm and gratitude
    • Sono davvero contento/a! (I’m really happy!)
    • Grazie mille per l’invito! (Thank you so much for the invitation!)
    • Etc.

Everyday phrases

  • Basic Common expressions
    • Come stai? (How are you?)
    • Sto bene, grazie. (I’m fine, thank you.)
    • Molto bene (Very well)
    • Non capisco (I don’t understand)
    • Mi chiamo… (My name is…)
    • Di dove sei? (Where are you from?)
    • Etc.

Countries and nationalities

  • Basic names of countries
    • Italia (Italy), Francia (France), Germania (Germany), Spagna (Spain), etc.
    • Adjectives and nouns for nationalities
      • Italiano/a (Italian), Francese (French), Tedesco/a (German), Spagnolo/a (Spanish), etc.
  • Simple Common questions
    • Di che nazionalità sei? (What nationality are you?)
    • Da dove vieni? (Where are you from?)
    • Etc.
  • Simple Responses
    • Sono italiano/a. (I am Italian.)
    • Vengo da Francia. (I come from France.)
    • Etc.

2. Alphabet and Pronunciation

Italian alphabet

Basic pronunciation rules

  • Spelling and reading simple words
    • Practice spelling and reading common Italian words
    • Accentuation in Italian words

3. Numbers and related

Numbers 0-100

  • Counting from 0 to 20, then by tens up to 100

Counting objects, people, and everyday items

Banknotes and coins

  • Common currency names
    • Euro (€), Dollar ($), Pound (£), etc.
  • Basic terms related to money
    • Moneta (coin), Banconota (banknote), Portamonete (wallet), etc.
    • Denominations of euro banknotes
    • Different euro coins
    • Using coins and banknotes in daily transactions
    • Counting money and making simple purchases

4. Everyday Life and Routine

Everyday activities and routines

  • Simple Common phrases for:
    • Fare la spesa (Grocery shopping)
    • Lavarsi (To wash oneself)
    • Fare colazione (To have breakfast)
    • Andare a scuola/lavoro (To go to school/work)
    • Etc.

Vocabulary related to daily life

  • Simple Common words about:
    • La famiglia (Family)
    • La casa (House)
    • Il lavoro (Work)
    • La scuola (School)
    • Etc.

Time-related expressions

  • Simple Common expressions
    • Che ora è? (What time is it?)
    • Alle otto di mattina (At eight in the morning)
    • Di pomeriggio (In the afternoon)
    • Di sera (In the evening)
    • Etc.

Calendar

  • Days of the Week and Months
    • Learning the days of the week
    • Learning the months
  • Seasons and Weather
    • Vocabulary related to seasons
    • Basic weather expressions
  • Talking About Dates
    • Expressing the date
      • Oggi è il primo di marzo. (Today is the first of March.)
      • Domani è il venti di aprile. (Tomorrow is the 20th of April.)
    • Discussing important dates
      • Il mio compleanno è il quattro luglio. (My birthday is on the 4th of July.)
      • Etc
  • Making Plans and Appointments
    • Basic Vocabulary related to planning
      • Fare progetti (To make plans),
      • Fare programmi (To make arrangements)
    • Phrases for scheduling
  • Holidays and Celebrations
    • Basic Vocabulary related to holidays
      • Natale (Christmas), Capodanno (New Year’s Day), Pasqua (Easter), etc.
    • Simple Common expressions for holiday greetings and celebrations
      • Buon Natale! (Merry Christmas!), Buon anno nuovo! (Happy New Year!)

Clock / Time

  • Telling Time
    • How to tell time in Italian
      • Che ora è? (What time is it?)
      • Sono le… (It is…)
    • Understanding the 24-hour clock system
      • Sono le diciassette (It’s 5:00 PM)
  • Basic Phrases for Time
    • Simple Common phrases related to time
      • Alle sei del mattino (At six in the morning)
      • Alle otto di sera (At eight in the evening)
      • Di pomeriggio (In the afternoon)
      • Di notte (At night)
  • Talking About Daily Schedules
    • Basic Vocabulary related to daily activities and schedules
      • La mattina (Morning), Il pomeriggio (Afternoon), La sera (Evening), La notte (Night)
      • Prima colazione (Breakfast), Pranzo (Lunch), Cena (Dinner)
  • Making Appointments and Arrangements
    • Simple Phrases for scheduling and making plans
      • Possiamo vederci alle tre del pomeriggio? (Can we meet at three in the afternoon?)
      • Ho un appuntamento alle nove di sera. (I have an appointment at nine in the evening.)
  • Expressing Time Duration
    • Vocabulary for expressing time duration
      • Mezz’ora (Half an hour), Un’ora (One hour), Due ore (Two hours)
      • Quanto tempo ci vuole? (How much time does it take?)
    • Basic Vocabulary for expressing time duration
      • Quanto tempo ci vuole? (How much time does it take?)
  • Expressing Opening and Closing Time
    • Vocabulary for expressing opening and closing times
      • Aperto (Open), Chiuso (Closed), Orario di apertura (Opening hours), Orario di chiusura (Closing hours)
    • Simple Common phrases for inquiring about opening hours
      • A che ora apre il negozio? (What time does the store open?)
      • A che ora chiude la biblioteca? (What time does the library close?)

Talk about the basic experience of life

  • Everyday Routines and Activities
    • Basic Vocabulary related to daily routines
      • Alzarsi (To get up), Fare la doccia (To take a shower), Fare colazione (To have breakfast), etc.
    • Expressing basic daily activities
      • Oggi mi sveglio alle sette. (Today, I wake up at seven.)
      • Prima di uscire, faccio colazione. (Before leaving, I have breakfast.)
  • Personal Habits and Preferences
    • Basic Vocabulary for personal habits and preferences
      • Mi piace leggere (I like to read), Mi piace ascoltare musica (I like listening to music), etc.
    • Simple phrases to Talk about likes and dislikes
      • Preferisco il caffè al tè. (I prefer coffee to tea.)
      • Non mi piace fare sport. (I don’t like doing sports.)
  • Past Experiences and Memories
    • Basic Vocabulary for talking about past experiences
      • L’estate scorsa (Last summer), Quando ero bambino/a (When I was a child), etc.
    • Sharing simple memories
      • Ho visitato Roma l’anno scorso. (I visited Rome last year.)
      • Da piccolo, giocavo sempre a calcio. (When I was little, I always played soccer.)

5. Food and Drinks

Basic food and drink vocabulary

  • Common Food Items
    • Basic Vocabulary for common food items
      • Pasta, Pizza, Pane (Bread), Formaggio (Cheese), Frutta (Fruit), Verdura (Vegetables), Carne (Meat), Pesce (Fish), etc.
    • Simple phrases for ordering and describing food
      • Vorrei un piatto di pasta. (I would like a plate of pasta.)
      • Questo formaggio è delizioso! (This cheese is delicious!)
  • Beverages and Drinks
    • Basic Vocabulary for different beverages and drinks
      • Acqua (Water), Caffè (Coffee), Tè (Tea), Succo di frutta (Fruit juice), Birra (Beer), Vino (Wine), etc.
    • Ordering and expressing preferences for drinks with simple phrases
      • Vorrei un bicchiere di vino rosso. (I would like a glass of red wine.)
      • Mi piace il caffè nero. (I like black coffee.)
  • Snacks and Desserts
    • Basic Vocabulary for snacks and desserts
      • Gelato (Ice cream), Dolce (Dessert), Cioccolato (Chocolate), Biscotti (Cookies), etc.
  • Grocery Shopping
    • Basic Vocabulary for grocery shopping
      • Supermercato (Supermarket), Fruttivendolo (Greengrocer), Macelleria (Butcher shop), etc.

6. Travel and Directions

Transportation Vocabulary

  • Vocabulary for different modes of transportation
    • Treno (Train), Autobus (Bus), Taxi (Taxi), Auto (Car), Aereo (Plane), etc.
  • Basic phrases for inquiring about transportation
    • Dove si trova la stazione del treno? (Where is the train station?)
    • Quanto costa un biglietto per l’autobus? (How much is a bus ticket?)

Asking and Giving Directions

  • Basic Vocabulary for asking and giving directions
    • Destra (Right), Sinistra (Left), Dritto (Straight), Di fronte a (In front of), Dietro (Behind), etc.
  • Asking for and understanding basic directions
    • Come arrivo alla piazza principale? (How do I get to the main square?)
    • È lontano o vicino? (Is it far or near?)

Booking Accommodation

  • Basic vocabulary for booking accommodation
    • Albergo (Hotel), Camera (Room), Prenotazione (Reservation), Chiave (Key), etc.
  • Making basic inquiries and reservations
    • Vorrei prenotare una camera singola. (I would like to book a single room.)
    • C’è una camera disponibile per stasera? (Is there a room available for tonight?)

At the Airport

  • Basic vocabulary for the airport and air travel
    • Aeroporto (Airport), Controllo passaporto (Passport control), Gate (Gate), Volo (Flight), etc.
  • Basic phrases for airport-related interactions
    • Dove si trova il gate per il volo per Roma? (Where is the gate for the flight to Rome?)
    • Posso avere una mappa dell’aeroporto? (Can I have a map of the airport?)

Exploring the City

  • Basic Vocabulary for exploring a city
    • Piazza (Square), Strada (Street), Monumento (Monument), Museo (Museum), etc.
  • Asking for basic recommendations and navigating the city
    • Qual è il modo migliore per raggiungere il museo? (What is the best way to get to the museum?)
    • Puoi consigliarmi un buon ristorante qui vicino? (Can you recommend a good restaurant nearby?)

7. Describing People and Objects

Describing Physical Appearance

  • Basic Vocabulary for describing physical features
    • Alto/a (Tall), Basso/a (Short), Magro/a (Slim), Paffuto/a (Chubby), Biondo/a (Blond), Bruna/o (Brunette), Occhi azzurri/marroni (Blue/Brown eyes), etc.
  • Forming simple sentences to describe oneself and others
    • Sono alto e ho i capelli castani. (I am tall, and I have brown hair.)
    • Lei è magra e ha gli occhi azzurri. (She is slim, and she has blue eyes.)

Describing Clothing and Style

  • Basic Vocabulary for clothing items and style
    • Maglietta (T-shirt), Pantaloni (Pants), Scarpe (Shoes), Cappello (Hat), Elegante (Elegant), Casual (Casual), etc.
  • Describing what someone is wearing and expressing personal style in simple words
    • Indossa una maglietta rossa e jeans. (He/she is wearing a red T-shirt and jeans.)
    • Mi piace vestirmi in modo elegante. (I like dressing elegantly.)

Describing Personality Traits

  • Basic Vocabulary for describing personality traits
    • Gentile (Kind), Simpatico/a (Friendly), Intelligente (Intelligent), Divertente (Funny), Timido/a (Shy), Estroverso/a (Outgoing), etc.
  • Using basic adjectives to describe one’s own personality and others’
    • Sono una persona allegra e socievole. (I am a cheerful and sociable person.)
    • Lui è molto intelligente e divertente. (He is very intelligent and funny.)

Describing Objects and Possessions

  • Basic Vocabulary for everyday objects and possessions
    • Telefono (Phone), Libro (Book), Computer (Computer), Orologio (Watch), etc.
  • Describing objects and expressing ownership in simple words
    • Ho un telefono nuovo. (I have a new phone.)
    • Il libro è sulla scrivania. (The book is on the desk.)

Describing Relationships

  • Basic Vocabulary for family and relationships
    • Madre (Mother), Padre (Father), Fratello (Brother), Sorella (Sister), Amico/a (Friend), etc.
  • Describing relationships and expressing connections in simple phrases
    • Mia madre è molto gentile. (My mother is very kind.)
    • Ho un amico simpatico. (I have a friendly friend.)

House Plan

  • Rooms and Spaces
    • Vocabulary for different rooms and spaces in a house
      • Cucina (Kitchen), Soggiorno (Living room), Camera da letto (Bedroom), Bagno (Bathroom), Balcone (Balcony), etc.
    • Describing the purpose and features of each room in simple phrases
      • La cucina è il luogo dove cucino i pasti. (The kitchen is the place where I cook meals.)
      • Il soggiorno è spazioso e luminoso. (The living room is spacious and bright.)
  • Furniture and Furnishings
    • Vocabulary for furniture and furnishings
      • Divano (Sofa), Tavolo (Table), Sedia (Chair), Armadio (Wardrobe), Letto (Bed), etc.
    • Describing the furniture in different rooms in simple words
      • Nel soggiorno c’è un grande divano e un tavolino. (In the living room, there’s a large sofa and a coffee table.)
      • La camera da letto ha un letto matrimoniale e un armadio. (The bedroom has a double bed and a wardrobe.)
  • House Layout and Design
    • Basic Vocabulary for describing the layout and design of a house
      • Piano terra (Ground floor), Primo piano (First floor), Scala (Stairs), Finestre (Windows), Porta (Door), etc.
    • Discussing the features and design elements of a house in simple phrases
      • La casa ha due piani. (The house has two floors.)
      • Ci sono molte finestre. (There are many windows.)

8. Some names of professions

  • Common Professions
    • Vocabulary for common professions
      • Medico (Doctor), Insegnante (Teacher), Architetto (Architect), Cameriere/a (Waiter/Waitress), etc.
    • Describing different professions and their roles
      • Mia madre è insegnante. (My mother is a teacher.)
      • Il dottore lavora in ospedale. (The doctor works at the hospital.)
  • Workplaces and Environments
    • Vocabulary for workplaces and environments
      • Ospedale (Hospital), Scuola (School), Ufficio (Office), Ristorante (Restaurant), etc.
    • Describing where different professions work
      • L’insegnante lavora nella scuola. (The teacher works at the school.)
      • Il cuoco lavora in un ristorante. (The chef works in a restaurant.)
  • Job Activities and Responsibilities
    • Basic Vocabulary for job activities and responsibilities
      • Scrivere (To write), Insegnare (To teach), Cucinare (To cook), Curare (To care for), etc.
    • Describing what people do in their professions
      • L’architetto progetta edifici. (The architect designs buildings.)
      • Il cameriere serve i clienti. (The waiter serves the customers.)
  • Asking and Answering About Professions
    • SimPhrases for asking and answering about professions
      • ple Che lavoro fai? (What do you do for work?)
      • Sono un/a… (I am a…)
    • Engaging in simple conversations about professions
      • Cosa fa per lavoro? (What do you do for a living?)
      • Lavoro come infermiere. (I work as a nurse.)
  • Specialized Professions
    • Vocabulary for specialized professions
      • Avvocato (Lawyer), Ingegnere (Engineer), Pittore/a (Painter), Musicista (Musician), etc.
    • Describing specific and specialized professions
      • L’avvocato difende i suoi clienti in tribunale. (The lawyer defends their clients in court.)
      • Il musicista suona il pianoforte. (The musician plays the piano.)

9. Hobbies and Leisure Activities

  • Basic Vocabulary related to hobbies and free time
    • Il tempo libero (Free time)
    • Il cinema (Cinema)
    • La musica (Music)
    • Il libro (Book)
    • Il gioco (Game)
    • Etc
  • Talking about favourite activities and interests in simple phrases
    • Mi piace leggere. (I like to read.)
    • Gioco a calcio nel tempo libero. (I play soccer in my free time.)
    • Etc
  • Making simple plans and invitations
    • Che cosa fai nel weekend? (What are you doing this weekend?)
    • Vuoi andare al cinema con me? (Do you want to go to the cinema with me?)
    • Etc

Resources for Learning

  • Textbooks: Utilize A1-level Italian textbooks that are designed to guide you through the syllabus, providing explanations, exercises, and activities.
  • Language Learning Apps: Apps like Duolingo, Babbel, and Memrise offer interactive lessons and quizzes to reinforce your knowledge.
  • Online Courses: Enroll in online Italian courses, which often come with video lessons, quizzes, and opportunities for live practice with instructors.
  • Language Tutors: Consider working with a language tutor for personalized guidance and practice.

A1 Certification

Completing the A1 syllabus and gaining confidence in your Italian language skills can prepare you for taking an official A1 certification exam. These exams, such as CELI A1 or CILS A1, can validate your proficiency and provide a tangible milestone in your language learning journey.

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