Italian for English speakers Cafe · Lesson 1

Ordering more food

Customize an Italian sandwich — con o senza formaggio (with or without cheese) — with prepositions con and senza.

Conversation

  1. Bolin Bolin

    Posso avere un panino?

    Can I have a sandwich?

    Tip: <Posso> = Can <Avere> = Have When asking if you can have something, use this phrase

  2. Kyle Kyle

    Certo. Con o senza formaggio?

    Sure. With or without cheese?

    Tip: <Con o senza> = With or without

  3. Bolin Bolin

    Senza formaggio, grazie

    Without cheese, thanks

    Tip: If you wanted it with cheese (who wouldn't?) you can use <con> in the same way as <senza>

  4. Kyle Kyle

    Bene. Ti chiamo quando è pronto.

    Great. I'll call you when it's ready

    Tip: <Ti> refers to "you", but only when you is the object of a sentence. For example, when someone is saying they will call you, "you" are the object they will call.

Common questions

Quick answers about this lesson's grammar and vocabulary.

How do you say 'with' and 'without' in Italian?

Con = with. Senza = without. Con il formaggio, senza glutine, con il latte, senza zucchero.

Posso avere vs Vorrei?

Both polite. Posso avere = 'may I have' (more direct). Vorrei = 'I would like' (slightly softer). Either works.

Common Italian sandwich types?

Il panino (general sandwich, often pressed). La piadina (flatbread sandwich, from Emilia-Romagna). Il tramezzino (triangle sandwich, often with mayo).

Next lesson in Cafe Takeaway or eat in? →