Italian · Real conversations
Markets and groceries: Italian conversation practice
Buy a quantity and ask about a product. Read the exchange, reveal the translations when you need them, then try your part before looking at the sample answers.
A1 · Read and rehearse
Your role: A shopper at a produce stall.
Goal: Buy a quantity and ask about a product.
Read the conversation
Partner
Buongiorno. Che cosa desidera?
Show English translation
Good morning. What would you like?
You
Mezzo chilo di pomodori, per favore.
Show English translation
Half a kilo of tomatoes, please.
Partner
Ecco a lei. Oggi questo melone è molto richiesto.
Show English translation
Here you are. This melon is popular today.
You
È maturo?
Show English translation
Is this ripe?
Partner
Sì, è pronto da mangiare. Abbiamo anche pane fresco.
Show English translation
Yes, it's ready to eat. We also have fresh bread.
You
Quando è stato fatto?
Show English translation
When was this made?
Partner
Il pane è stato fatto stamattina. Cerca anche delle verdure?
Show English translation
The bread was made this morning. Are you looking for vegetables too?
You
Avete qualcosa coltivato qui in zona?
Show English translation
Do you have anything locally grown?
Partner
Sì, queste carote vengono da una fattoria vicina. Metto tutto in un sacchetto?
Show English translation
Yes, these carrots are from a nearby farm. Shall I bag everything?
You
Potrebbe metterli in sacchetti separati?
Show English translation
Could you put these in separate bags?
Try your part first
Partner says: Good morning. What would you like? Your goal: Half a kilo of tomatoes, please.
Reveal a sample reply
Mezzo chilo di pomodori, per favore.
Half a kilo of tomatoes, please.
Partner says: Here you are. This melon is popular today. Your goal: Is this ripe?
Reveal a sample reply
È maturo?
Is this ripe?
Partner says: Yes, it's ready to eat. We also have fresh bread. Your goal: When was this made?
Reveal a sample reply
Quando è stato fatto?
When was this made?
Partner says: The bread was made this morning. Are you looking for vegetables too? Your goal: Do you have anything locally grown?
Reveal a sample reply
Avete qualcosa coltivato qui in zona?
Do you have anything locally grown?
Partner says: Yes, these carrots are from a nearby farm. Shall I bag everything? Your goal: Could you put these in separate bags?
Reveal a sample reply
Potrebbe metterli in sacchetti separati?
Could you put these in separate bags?
Make it your own
- Choose another fruit.
- Change the quantity.
- Bring your own bag.
Keep the useful expression and change the detail. There can be several appropriate answers; the revealed replies are examples to learn from.
This rehearsal in other languages
A note on speaking Italian
Use tu with friends and Lei with someone you address formally. A request with vorrei or potrebbe can soften the tone; it still helps to say what you need clearly. The examples label the situation so you can choose the appropriate relationship.
Read doubled consonants distinctly and keep the written accents. The English translation explains the intended message; Italian often chooses a different construction rather than matching each English word.
