Useful Phrases

1. Sò giappunese

   I'm Japanese

   Usage

   Say where you are from when introducing yourself; a good way to start a chat with locals

   Grammar Note

   The subject pronoun eiu is normally dropped. Giappunese has one form for men and women. Sò carries a grave accent on the o. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

2. Viaghju solu / sola

   I'm traveling alone

   Usage

   Tell people you are on a solo trip; handy when a host or restaurant asks how many of you there are

   Grammar Note

   Use solu if you are male and sola if you are female. Viaghjà means to travel and can also mean to walk. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

3. Hè a mo prima volta quì

   It's my first time here

   Usage

   Mention that it is your first visit, a natural opener for asking for recommendations

   Grammar Note

   Volta (time, occasion) is feminine, so prima is feminine too. Write quì with a grave accent. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

4. Possu fà una fotografia?

   May I take a photo?

   Usage

   Ask permission before photographing a person, a shop or an exhibit

   Grammar Note

   Possu plus an infinitive asks for permission. Fotografia is feminine and is also spelled fotugrafia. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

5. Pudemu fà una fotografia insemi?

   Shall we take a photo together?

   Usage

   Invite a local or a fellow traveler to pose for a photo with you

   Grammar Note

   Pudemu (we can) also works as a friendly "shall we". Insemi means together. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

6. Ùn m'ingannate

   Don't cheat me

   Usage

   A firm way to say so when a price or the change looks wrong

   Grammar Note

   A negative command is Ùn + pronoun + verb. Keep the grave on Ùn to tell it from the article un. The voi form is polite enough for shop staff. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

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