First Phrases

Christmas market · Italiano

Christmas market in Italian: 16 phrases

Order mulled wine or an alcohol-free punch, sort out the mug deposit, ask the price, pay by card, find the lantern walk or the concert, and start a chat at a standing table. Natural phrases for a winter market evening.

Phrases, not advice. These cards only help you say what you need. They give no medical, legal, tax or financial advice. For any decision, ask the pharmacist, doctor, bank or the official office.

Review pending: native-speaker review of this card has not happened yet, and the phrases marked "check" are the ones we are least sure of. Use them as a starting point and let the person you speak to correct you.

Register: Neutral. At an Italian "mercatino di Natale" (the big ones are in the north, for example Bolzano, Trento, Merano) mulled wine is "vin brûlé" (said "vin brulé"); in South Tyrol you will also hear "Glühwein". Stalls are informal; "per favore" is enough. A returnable mug with a deposit is common in South Tyrol and Trentino, less so elsewhere, so ask.

How to read the sounds: Italian is spoken as written. Double consonants (tt, ll, zz) are held longer. c before e/i = ch, g before e/i = j, gn = ny, gli = ly, sc before e/i = sh. Stress is in CAPITALS.

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16 phrases you will need

  1. 01Neutral
    Un vin brûlé, per favore.
    Say it like: oon van broo-LAY, per fah-VOH-reh
    One mulled wine, please.
    Register: In South Tyrol "un Glühwein" is understood too.
  2. 02Neutral
    Una cioccolata calda, per favore.
    Say it like: OO-nah chok-koh-LAH-tah KAL-dah, per fah-VOH-reh
    One hot chocolate, please.
    Register: Neutral.
  3. 03Neutral
    Avete una versione analcolica?
    Say it like: ah-VEH-teh OO-nah vair-zee-OH-neh ah-nal-KOH-lee-kah
    Do you have an alcohol-free version?
    Register: "Avete" = plural "you", natural at a stall.
  4. 04Neutral
    C'è una cauzione per la tazza?
    Say it like: cheh OO-nah kow-tsee-OH-neh per lah TAHT-tsah
    Is there a deposit on the mug?
    Register: "Cauzione" = deposit.
  5. 05Neutral
    Riporto la tazza. Posso riavere la cauzione?
    Say it like: ree-POR-toh lah TAHT-tsah. POS-soh ree-ah-VEH-reh lah kow-tsee-OH-neh
    I'm bringing the mug back. Can I get the deposit back?
    Register: Hand the mug in at the stall.
  6. 06Neutral
    Posso tenere la tazza?
    Say it like: POS-soh teh-NEH-reh lah TAHT-tsah
    Can I keep the mug?
    Register: You usually lose the deposit.
  7. 07Neutral
    Quanto costa?
    Say it like: KWAN-toh KOS-tah
    How much is it?
    Register: Neutral.
  8. 08Neutral
    Posso pagare con la carta?
    Say it like: POS-soh pah-GAH-reh kon lah KAR-tah
    Can I pay by card?
    Register: Some stalls are cash only, so ask.
  9. 09Neutral
    Un altro, per favore.
    Say it like: oon AL-troh, per fah-VOH-reh
    One more, please.
    Register: Neutral.
  10. 10Neutralcheck
    Dov'è la partenza della processione di lanterne?
    Say it like: doh-VEH lah par-TEN-tsah DEL-lah pro-ches-see-OH-neh dee lan-TER-neh
    Where does the lantern procession start?
    Register: For a concert say "il concerto": "Dov'è il concerto?"
  11. 11Neutral
    È libero questo posto?
    Say it like: eh LEE-beh-roh KWES-toh POS-toh
    Is this spot free?
    Register: Works for a seat or a place at a table.
  12. 12Informal
    Posso mettermi qui? C'è un sacco di gente stasera, vero?
    Say it like: POS-soh MET-ter-mee kwee? cheh oon SAK-koh dee JEN-teh stah-SEH-rah, VEH-roh
    Can I stand here? Lots of people tonight, aren't there?
    Register: Friendly opener at a standing table.
  13. 13Neutral
    Buon Natale!
    Say it like: bwon nah-TAH-leh
    Merry Christmas!
    Register: "Buone feste!" (happy holidays) works for everyone.
  14. 14Neutral
    C'è qualcosa di vegetariano da mangiare?
    Say it like: cheh kwal-KOH-zah dee veh-jeh-tah-ree-AH-noh dah man-JAH-reh
    Is there anything vegetarian to eat?
    Register: Neutral.
  15. 15Neutral
    Dove sono i bagni?
    Say it like: DOH-veh SOH-noh ee BAH-nyee
    Where are the toilets?
    Register: "I servizi" is more formal; "i bagni" is normal.
  16. 16Polite
    Ci può fare una foto, per favore?
    Say it like: chee pwoh FAH-reh OO-nah FOH-toh, per fah-VOH-reh
    Could you take a photo of us, please?
    Register: Polite; with someone your age "Ci fai una foto?"

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Quick answers

What do I say to start at the Christmas market in Italian?

Start with: "Un vin brûlé, per favore." (One mulled wine, please.)

Should I use informal or formal Italian at the Christmas market?

At an Italian "mercatino di Natale" (the big ones are in the north, for example Bolzano, Trento, Merano) mulled wine is "vin brûlé" (said "vin brulé"); in South Tyrol you will also hear "Glühwein". Stalls are informal; "per favore" is enough. A returnable mug with a deposit is common in South Tyrol and Trentino, less so elsewhere, so ask.

How do I order mulled wine in Italian?

Try: "Un vin brûlé, per favore." (One mulled wine, please.)

Same errand, another language

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Italian, another errand

Pharmacy Doctor / GP Opening a bank account Tax office Renting a flat Christmas market

Also: New Year phrases in Italian

All 6 × 6 survival decks · Phrases for an evening out

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