Learn the Italian your family remembers
Maestro Italiano teaches real, everyday Standard Italian for heritage learners, travellers and anyone moving to Italy. Start with ten free lessons inside the real course, look words up in the dictionary and practise with card games — no sign-up needed to begin.
Start here
- Ten free Italian lessons — greetings, family, food, travel and getting around.
- Free Italian level quiz — twelve questions from A1 to B1 with an instant result.
- Free Italian phrase lessons — one useful phrase at a time, with audio.
- CILS B1 Cittadinanza practice pack — six full practice tests for the Italian citizenship language exam.
Italian phrases for travelers
- How to say “What time does the church open?” in Italian
- How to say “Do you have dessert?” in Italian
- How to say “Good night!” in Italian
- How to say “Good morning!” in Italian
- How to say “Is there a good auto mechanic nearby?” in Italian
- How to say “Is there a hospital nearby?” in Italian
- How to say “Is there a gas station nearby?” in Italian
- How to say “Is there a train station nearby?” in Italian
- How to say “What type of meat is this?” in Italian
- How to say “What is the name of this dish?” in Italian
- How to say “How are you?” in Italian
- How to say “Do you know this area very well?” in Italian
Questions people ask
What is the best way to learn Italian for free?
Start with short daily lessons you can actually use. Maestro Italiano gives you ten free Standard Italian lessons inside the real course (greetings, family, food, travel), a dictionary, Italian card games and a free level quiz, with no sign-up needed to begin.
What are the most useful Italian phrases for travelers?
Phrases for ordering food, asking for directions, transport and emergencies: for example "Dov’è la toilette?" (Where is the restroom?), "Vorrei del caffè" (I would like some coffee) and "C’è una stazione ferroviaria qui vicino?" (Is there a train station nearby?). Our free phrase lessons explain each one with audio.
How do I find out my Italian level?
Take the free twelve-question Italian level quiz. It covers A1 to B1 and shows your result instantly on the page, with what to practise next.
Do I need a B1 Italian certificate for Italian citizenship?
A B1 Italian language certificate (such as CILS B1 Cittadinanza) is required for Italian citizenship by marriage or by residence. Citizenship by descent has different rules, which recently changed; check with your Italian consulate. Maestro Italiano offers a CILS B1 Cittadinanza practice pack with six full practice tests.
Can I learn the Italian my grandparents spoke?
Maestro Italiano teaches Standard Italian, the shared language that every regional dialect speaker also understands. It is the best foundation for talking with family in Italy and for understanding relatives who mix in dialect.