At The Iceberg Project, we believe the only way you can truly learn a language is by using it in real life. (We also believe that Italian is the best foreign language to learn.)

To help you get that real-life experience, we put together this dialogue for you.

It’s about two friends — one Italian and one American — who are meeting for a language exchange.

Unlike other dialogues made for students, this one is full of language that Italians use every day, and it doesn’t simplify the conversation.

If you’re a beginner, you’ll notice that a lot of the language is complex, but that doesn’t mean you can’t use it to learn. Don’t let the length or the big words intimidate you. What’s more, you’ll notice that the translation from Italian to English is not literal.

That’s on purpose because there are words / phrases that don’t directly translate in the same way.

If you have questions about the dialogue beyond those points above, just let me know in the comments below.

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DIALOGUE

The language exchange take place in a fancy bar in the city centre on Florence.

Letizia – Ciao bella! Finalmente, mi stavo preoccupando! – Hey beautiful! Finally, I was getting worried!

Maggie – Ti chiedo scusa Leti, ma ho aspettato il 23 per più di 20 minuti. A piedi avrei fatto prima! Italia ti AMO  ma odio con tutto il cuore i tuoi mezzi pubblici! – I’m sorry about that, Leti, but I waited for the 23 bus for more than 20 minutes. I could have made it on foot faster! I love you Italy, but I hate your public transportation with all of my heart.

Letizia – Che rabbia! Mi dispiace… – So much anger! I’m sorry…

Maggie (Winks at her friend) – Ah, non scusarti. Ogni rosa ha le sue spine! – Ah, don’t apologize. Every rose has its thorns.

Letizia – Cosa prendi? – What are you getting?

Maggie – Mmh, ho proprio voglia di un tè Matcha bello bollente. – Mmh, I really want a nice, hot matcha tea.

Letizia (To the waiter) – Allora due Matcha caldi, grazie. – Two hot matchas then, thanks.

Maggie – Sai cosa devo raccontarti di nuovo? Ieri sono stata al comune per i documenti della mia residenza e sono rimasta davvero sorpresa! – Do you know what I have to tell you? Yesterday I was at the comune for my residential documents and I was so surprised!

Letizia – Coda interminabile e impiegati scortesi? Sì, è la norma purtroppo… – Was there a long line and rude employees? Yes, it’s the norm unfortunately…

Maggie – Nooo, tutt’altro! In pochi minuti ho fatto la fila, una signorina carinissima mi ha dato un modulo che spiegava punto per punto il procedimento, e pensa, alcune cose le posso addirittura fare on-line! – Nooo, the opposite actually! I made it to the end of the line in few minutes, a super sweet lady gave me a form and explained the process point by point, and listen to this, some things I could even do online!

Letizia – Oddio, non ci credo! Il progresso è arrivato! – Oh god, I don’t believe it! Progress has arrived!

Maggie –  Ahahahah, sì hai visto? Tu che ti lamenti sempre della burocrazia del tuo Paese! – Ahahahah, yep, see? You’re always complaining about the bureaucracy of your country!

Letizia – Già..è una cosa inaudita. Noi ormai siamo abituati a tutte queste scartoffie e lungaggini, fogli su fogli, centinaia di fogli e moduli per fare qulasiasi cosa…ma tu che vieni dagli States dove con un click fai tutto, non so proprio come riesci a sopportare tutto ciò! – Yeah… it’s inconceivable. By now were used to all the paperwork and delays, papers on top of papers, hundreds of papers and forms for doing all kinds of things… but you come from the States where in a click you can do anything, I don’t know how you manage to stand everything (here)!

Maggie – Beh, devo dire che sì ogni volta è un dramma per me. E’ inconcepibile, e credimi è tutta questione di organizzazione! – Well, I must say that each time it’s a drama for me. It’s unthinkable, and believe me it’s all a matter of organization!

Letizia – Lo so, lo so! Voi Americani siete molto più pratici! Vi invidio molto! Noi italiani invece filosofeggiamo, ragioniamo troppo sulle cose, fino ad immobilizzarci. – I know, I know! You Americans are way more practical! I’m really jealous of you all! We Italians instead philosophize, we reason over too many things, to the point of immobilization.

Maggie – Beh, sai noi pensiamo che se tutti fanno bene e velocemente il proprio lavoro tutto scorre e tutto funziona….e questo va a beneficio di tutti! – Well, you know that we think that if everyone does their work well and quickly, everything flows and everything works… and this is good for everyone!

Letizia – Maggie, ma il tuo italiano è migliorato tantissimo! Hai appena usato un’espressione davvero complessa, brava!! – Maggie, your Italian has improved so much! You just used a really complex expression, great job!!

Maggie – Ehehe, grazie merito tuo e dell’amore che questo paese fa nascere in me! – Ehehe, it’s all thanks to you and the love that this country grows (births) in me!

Have questions about the dialogue above? Leave a comment below!