Italian · Everyday Verbs
"to speak" in Italian: parlare
parlare
To speak in Italian is parlare (par-LAH-reh), a regular -are verb. Io parlo, tu parli, lui/lei parla. Parli inglese? asks do you speak English with tu.
Meeting a stranger helpfully
Parli italiano? Puoi parlare più piano?Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce parlare
Say it
par-LAH-reh
/parˈla.re/
Parlare stresses LAH: par-LAH-reh. Parlo is PAR-loh. Keep both r taps light.
"to speak" in Italian: quick reference
| Italian | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| parlare | to speak, to talk Languages and conversation. | Languages and conversation. |
| parlo / parli / parla | I speak / you speak / he-she speaks Core present forms. | Core present forms. |
| parlare con | to talk with Parlo con Marco. | Parlo con Marco. |
| parlare piano | to speak slowly Useful learner request. | Useful learner request. |
How to use parlare in real life
- 1Meeting a stranger helpfully
Parli italiano? Puoi parlare più piano?
Do you speak Italian? Can you speak more slowly?
Parli and parlare both show the stem.
- 2Language exchange
Io parlo un po' di francese.
I speak a little French.
Parlo + language.
- 3Phone call
Posso parlare con Anna, per favore?
May I speak with Anna, please?
Parlare con someone.
Mistakes English speakers make with parlare
Incorrect: Io parlare italiano.
Correct: Parlo italiano.
Conjugate: io parlo.
Incorrect: Parlo il italiano.
Correct: Parlo italiano.
No article before the language after parlare in this basic pattern.
Good to know
Italians often switch to English when they hear hesitation, so asking parla piano or possiamo parlare in italiano? politely keeps practice going. Dialects and regional speech are common, but standard parlare italiano still opens most doors.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Starting a language exchange in a park
ChatPal
Ciao! Parliamo dieci minuti in italiano?
Hi! Shall we speak Italian for ten minutes?
You
Sì. Io parlo piano, ok?
Yes. I speak slowly, ok?
ChatPal
Perfetto. Se non capisci, parliamo con parole semplici.
Perfect. If you don't understand, we'll speak with simple words.
You
Grazie. Voglio parlare ogni giorno un po'.
Thanks. I want to speak a little every day.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"to speak" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to speak" in Italian
How do I ask do you speak English?
With tu: Parli inglese? With Lei: Parla inglese?
Is parlare regular?
Yes. It follows regular -are patterns once you know the present endings.
What is the difference between parlare and dire?
Parlare is to speak or talk. Dire is to say or tell specific words.
How do I say speak slowly please?
Puoi parlare più piano, per favore? with a friend.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
Keep reading
- How to Learn Italian Fast and Speak with ConfidenceLearn how to learn Italian with a clear roadmap, speaking-first tactics and daily habits that turn basics into real conversation confidence.
- Translate Hello in Italian with ConfidenceLearn how to translate hello in Italian with context, pronunciation, and practice prompts. Master ciao, buongiorno, buonasera, and salve for real conversations.
