Italian · Real conversations
Work updates: Italian conversation practice
Explain progress and agree on a priority. Read the exchange, reveal the translations when you need them, then try your part before looking at the sample answers.
B1 · Read and rehearse
Your role: A colleague giving a short project update.
Goal: Explain progress and agree on a priority.
Read the conversation
Partner
A che cosa stai lavorando oggi?
Show English translation
What are you working on today?
You
Sto lavorando alla relazione.
Show English translation
I'm working on the report.
Partner
A che punto sei con la relazione?
Show English translation
How far have you got with the report?
You
Ho finito la prima bozza.
Show English translation
I've finished the first draft.
Partner
Un buon inizio. Puoi mandare la versione controllata oggi?
Show English translation
Good start. Can you send the checked version today?
You
Mi serve più tempo.
Show English translation
I need more time.
Partner
Di quanto tempo in più hai bisogno?
Show English translation
How much longer do you need?
You
Qual è la scadenza?
Show English translation
What's the deadline?
Partner
Domani pomeriggio. Dobbiamo anche aggiornare i dati.
Show English translation
Tomorrow afternoon. We also need the figures updated.
You
A cosa devo dare la priorità?
Show English translation
What should I prioritize?
Try your part first
Partner says: What are you working on today? Your goal: I'm working on the report.
Reveal a sample reply
Sto lavorando alla relazione.
I'm working on the report.
Partner says: How far have you got with the report? Your goal: I've finished the first draft.
Reveal a sample reply
Ho finito la prima bozza.
I've finished the first draft.
Partner says: Good start. Can you send the checked version today? Your goal: I need more time.
Reveal a sample reply
Mi serve più tempo.
I need more time.
Partner says: How much longer do you need? Your goal: What's the deadline?
Reveal a sample reply
Qual è la scadenza?
What's the deadline?
Partner says: Tomorrow afternoon. We also need the figures updated. Your goal: What should I prioritize?
Reveal a sample reply
A cosa devo dare la priorità?
What should I prioritize?
Make it your own
- Change the task.
- Request a different amount of time.
- Clarify two competing priorities.
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.
