Italian · Greetings & Essentials
"You're welcome" in Italian: prego
prego
You're welcome in Italian is prego (PREH-goh). After grazie, prego is the default reply. Prego also means please come in, or go ahead when you hold a door.
After holding a door
Grazie! — Prego.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce prego
Say it
PREH-goh
/ˈprɛ.go/
Prego stresses PREH: PREH-goh. Keep both syllables short and light.
"You're welcome" in Italian: quick reference
| Italian | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| prego | you're welcome; please (go ahead) Reply to thanks, or invite someone through. | Reply to thanks, or invite someone through. |
| di niente | you're welcome / it's nothing Casual alternative after grazie. | Casual alternative after grazie. |
| figurati | don't mention it Informal (tu), warm among friends. | Informal (tu), warm among friends. |
| prego, si accomodi | please, have a seat Formal hosting phrase. | Formal hosting phrase. |
How to use prego in real life
- 1After holding a door
Grazie! — Prego.
Thanks! — You're welcome.
The classic two-beat exchange.
- 2At a café when someone says thanks
Prego, è un piacere.
You're welcome, it's a pleasure.
Prego can stand alone or with a warm add-on.
- 3Letting someone board first
Prego, passi pure.
Please, go ahead.
Here prego means after you, not only you're welcome.
Mistakes English speakers make with prego
Incorrect: Grazie! — Grazie.
Correct: Grazie! — Prego.
Answer thanks with prego (or di niente), not another grazie.
Incorrect: Prego tu.
Correct: Prego.
Prego already covers you're welcome; do not add tu.
Good to know
Prego is a Swiss-army polite word: you're welcome, come in, after you, and even how shop staff answer the phone in some regions. A warm smile plus a short prego is enough; long English-style speeches sound odd.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Helping a tourist with directions
ChatPal
Grazie mille per l'aiuto!
Thanks a lot for the help!
You
Prego, è stato un piacere.
You're welcome, it was a pleasure.
ChatPal
Se serve altro, chiedo ancora. Prego se vuoi sederti un attimo.
If I need anything else, I'll ask again. Please sit a moment if you want.
You
Prego: resta pure in piedi, sto bene così.
You're welcome—feel free to stay standing; I'm fine like this.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"You're welcome" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "You're welcome" in Italian
What do I say after someone thanks me?
Prego is the safest default. Di niente and figurati also work casually.
Does prego only mean you're welcome?
No. It also invites someone in or tells them to go first.
Is di niente ruder than prego?
No—both are polite. Di niente is a bit more casual.
How do shop assistants use prego?
Often as how may I help you / go ahead when they are ready for you.
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
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