Everyday life
Language & customs
Survival Italian with pronunciation, how to learn Italian for free, and the unwritten rules of daily life in Milan.
Checked November 2026 · rules change, so confirm fees and deadlines on the linked official pages
Survival Italian
Buongiorno / Buonaserabwon-JOR-no / bwo-na-SEH-ra
Hello (morning / after ~15:00). Say it entering any shop.
Hello (morning / after ~15:00). Say it entering any shop.
Per favore · Grazie · Pregoper fa-VO-reh · GRA-tsyeh · PREH-go
Please · thank you · you're welcome
Please · thank you · you're welcome
Scusi, parla inglese?SKOO-zee PAR-la een-GLEH-zeh
Excuse me, do you speak English?
Excuse me, do you speak English?
Non ho capitonon o ka-PEE-to
I didn't understand
I didn't understand
Quanto costa?KWAN-to KOS-ta
How much is it?
How much is it?
Il conto, per favoreeel KON-to
The bill, please (it never comes unasked)
The bill, please (it never comes unasked)
Ho un appuntamentoo oon a-poon-ta-MEN-to
I have an appointment (offices)
I have an appointment (offices)
Sono vegetariano/aSO-no veh-jeh-ta-RYA-no
I'm vegetarian. "Senza carne" = without meat
I'm vegetarian. "Senza carne" = without meat
Mi serve un medicomee SER-veh oon MEH-dee-ko
I need a doctor
I need a doctor
Dov'è la fermata?do-VEH la fer-MA-ta
Where is the stop?
Where is the stop?
Permesso di soggiornoper-MES-so dee so-JOR-no
Residence permit: the word you'll use most
Residence permit: the word you'll use most
Posso pagare con la carta?POS-so pa-GA-reh
Can I pay by card?
Can I pay by card?
Customs and culture
- Greetings matter. Shake hands with new people; friends kiss on both cheeks. Use Lei (formal "you") with officials, doctors and older people.
- Coffee at the bar: standing at the counter is cheaper than sitting. Cappuccino is a morning drink. "Un caffè" means an espresso.
- Restaurants: a coperto (cover charge, €2–4) is normal. Tipping isn't expected; rounding up is kind. Dinner starts around 20:00.
- Opening hours: many small shops close Sunday and Monday morning, and some at lunch. Supermarkets in Milan often open daily.
- August: around Ferragosto (15 Aug) the city empties and many businesses, doctors and offices close for 2–3 weeks. Plan admin before.
- 7 December, Sant'Ambrogio, is Milan's own public holiday (La Scala opens its season).
- Bureaucracy: bring originals plus copies of everything, a marca da bollo (revenue stamp, from tobacconists) when asked, and patience. Being polite and persistent works better than escalating.
- Condominium life: respect quiet hours (typically early afternoon and night, set by building rules), sort waste correctly, and greet the portinaio (building concierge) if you have one; they solve many problems.
- Dress: Milan dresses smartly, even casually. Shorts are rare in offices; churches need covered shoulders and knees.
- Cash and cards: shops must accept cards for any amount; small bars may still prefer cash. Keep some coins.
- Always validate your transport ticket or tap in. Inspectors fine on the spot, tourists included.
Learning Italian
- CPIA (state adult-education centres) run free Italian courses for foreign residents, from beginner to the A2 level needed for the long-term permit. Search "CPIA Milano" for the nearest one.
- Paid schools: Società Dante Alighieri, Linguadue, Scuola Leonardo da Vinci, Istituto Italiano Milano, and the university language centres. Expect about €200–400 for a month of group classes.
- Certificates recognised for permits and citizenship: CILS (Università per Stranieri di Siena), CELI (Perugia), PLIDA (Dante Alighieri) and Roma Tre's certificate.
- Free practice: tandem language exchanges on Meetup, the Comune's libraries (Biblioteche di Milano have conversation groups), and Italian podcasts and RAI news with subtitles.