- Jana Mascioni
Important Italian Phrases for Travel with Kids
Updated: Dec 17, 2019
English to Italian translation of important phrases for traveling to Italy with a baby, toddler or kids.
Although many Italians have some understanding of English when it comes to important things like food allergies, sickness, and emergencies, it is important to have the proper phrases to communicate in Italian. I have also included some helpful direction questions unique to traveling with kids that other guide books may not include in their translations. Bookmark this page to keep these useful tips and phrases handy for traveling to Italy with a baby, toddler or kids.
Food and Allergies
Babies, toddlers, and kids can have irritants and allergies that are not as common in adults. When traveling with food allergies to Italy, it is important to know how to communicate this with waiters. In addition to trying to communicate the allergies verbally, I suggest having a written out card you can hand to waiters. This way if your pronunciation is off, they will still understand. I have tried to include the most common phrases in the list below.
If you do not have an allergy but wish to avoid certain food, be specific about what foods you want to avoid. Italians are not as familiar with certain lifestyle food restrictions or religious exemptions. For example, Italians may have a different idea of what vegan means than what it means to you.
Does this have ________ in it?
Ha questo _________?
I am allergic to _________
Sono Allergico _________
My son is allergic to _________
Mio figlio è allergico _________
My daughter is allergic to _________
Mia figlia è allergica _________
Example: Ha questo pesce?
Example: Mio figlio e allergico al pesce.
Foods:
Milk / al latte
Cheese / al formaggio
Eggs / all’uova
Peanuts / alle arachide
Tree nuts / alle noci degli alberi
Nuts / aille noci
Citrus / agli agrumi
Strawberries / alla fregole
Kiwi / al kiwi
Raspberries / ai lamponi
Oranges / alle arance
Tomatoes / ai pomodori
Wheat / al grano
Gluten / al glutine
Soy / alla soia
Fish / al pesce
Shellfish / ai crostacei
Meat / alla carne
Beef / al manzo
Chicken / al pollo
Pig / al maiale
Rabbit / al coniglio
Lamb / all’agnello
If you or your child have a very severe allergy, here are translations for letting your waiter know and asking to speak to the chef if needed.
I have a severe allergic reaction to _________
Ho una grave reazione allergica _________
My Son has a sever allergic reaction to _________
Mio figlio ha una grave reazione allergica _________
My daughter has a severe allergic reaction to _________
Mia figlia ha una grave reazione allergica _________
May I speak to the chef?
Posso parlare con lo chef?
Can you confirm the preparation surfaces, pans, pots, and utensils for my meal haven’t been touched by _________ ?
Puoi confermare che le superfici di preparazione, pentole, e utensili per il mio pasto non sono statei toccata da _________ ?
Asking for Directions
I think the phrase I use the most when traveling to Italy with our daughter is: "Dov’è il bagno" ("Where is the bathroom"). You’ll want to commit this one to memory. Bookmark this page for quick reference to the other translations.
Where is _________?
Dov’è _________?
Example: Dov’è il bagno?
the bathroom / il bagno
a pharmacy / una farmacia
a supermarket / un supermercato
the sunscreen / la crema solare
the bug spray / lo spray antizanzare
the milk / il latte
the baby formula / la formula per neonati
the baby food / il cibo per neonati
a children’s clothing store / è un negozio di abbigliamento per bambini
a children’s shoe store / un negozio di scarpe per bambini
a children’s toy store / un negozio di giocattoli per bambini
the park / il parco
the hospital / l’ospedale
the police station / la stazione di polizia
Where _________?
Dove ________?
Example: Dove posso comprare i pannolini?
can I buy diapers / posso comprare i pannolini
are the diapers / sono i pannolini
can I buy milk / posso comprare il latte
can I buy baby formula / posso comprare una formula per neonati
can I buy baby food / posso comprare cibo per neonati
can I buy sunscreen / posso comparare la protezione solare
can I buy bug spray / posso comprare spray antizanzare
The Pharmacy
Traveling with children often means dealing with bug bites, upset tummies, and other issues. Italian pharmacists are a great resource for help with minor issues; they have more leeway in dispensing advice and selling pharmaceuticals than in the US. You may be able to get a prescription directly from them if needed. You can find a pharmacy by asking someone (see above “Directions”) or looking for a green neon cross outside the store. Many pharmacists will have some knowledge of the English language, but here are some useful phrases you could use in Italian.
May I speak to someone who speaks English / Posso parlare con qualcuno che parla inglese?
I think I have food poisoning / Penso di avere intossicazione alimentare
I think my child has food poisoning / Penso che mio figlio abbia intossicazione alimentare
I feel sick / Mi sento male
My child is sick / Mio figlio è malato
I vomited / Ho vomitato
My child vomited / Mio figlio ha vomitato
I fainted / Sono svenuto
My child fainted / Mio figlio è svenuto
I have a urinary tract infection / Ho un’infezione del tratto urinario
My child has a urinary tract infection / Mio Figlio ha un’infezione del tratto urinario
I have an ear infection / Ho un’infezione all’orecchio
My child has an ear infection / Mio figlio ha un’infezione all’orecchio
I have an eye infection / Ho un’infezione aglie occhi
My child has an eye infection / Mio figlio ha un’infezione agli occhi
I have sprained my ankle / mi sono slogato la caviglia
My child sprained their ankle / Mio figlio si è slogato la caviglia
What are the symptoms? / Quali sono I sintomi?
The symptoms are / I sintomi sono
I have _________ / io ho _________
He has _________ / lui ha _________
She has _________ / lei ha _________
on my _________ / sul mio _________
on his _________ / sul suo _________
on her _________ / su di lei _________
in my _________ / nel mio _________
in his _________ / nel suo _________
in her _________ / nel suo _________
Symptoms:
nausea / la nausea
stomach ache / mal di stomaco
a rash / un’eruzione cutanea
a headache / mal di testa
a ear ache / un dolore all’orecchio
pain / dolore
cramps / i crampi
stinging / pungente
burning / ho bruciore
discharge / la scrarica
itching / prurito
a cough / la tosse
runny nose / il naso che cola
a sore throat / mal di gola
a fever / la febbre
a cut / un taglio
swelling / un gonfiore
diaper rash / la dermatite da pannolino
diarrhea / la diarrea
a cold / il raffreddore
the flu / l’influenza
Anatomy:
head / testa eye / occhio neck / collo throat / gola back / schiena arm / braccio hand / mano
finger / dito leg / gamba toe / dito del piede stomach / stomach belly / pancia lung / polmone
I have a list of suggested medicines to pack for Italy that will reduce the need of having to find a pharmacy. It can be downloaded here.
An Emergency
You never expect an emergency to happen on vacation, but when traveling with children, you always want to be prepared to communicate if there is an issue quickly. Once you have reached a hospital, most doctors and medical personnel will have some knowledge of the English language.
Help! / Aiuto!
There has been an accident / C’è stato un incidente
My child is hurt / Mio figlio è ferito
My child is choking / Mio figlio sta soffocando
My child is sick / Mio figlio è malato
My child is lost / Mio figlio si è perso
Call an ambulance / Chiamate un’ambulanza
(In Italy their emergency response number is 1-1-8)
Call 118 / Chiama centodiciotto
Call the police / Chiamate la polizia
May I speak to someone who speaks English / Posso parlare con qualcuno che parla inglese?
When traveling with children, especially in large crowds, you may want to consider applying write on Temporary child ID Tattoos. You can write your phone number on them in the event your child gets lost. I also recommend keeping your hotel business card or your rental apartments address written down with you and in your child’s pocket. Walk your child through what to do if they get lost. If old enough, you can teach them the phrase:
I am lost / Mi sono perso
Related Post:
Download my free Ultimate Travel Planner with Kids to Italy Trip Planning Timeline, Suggested Gear List, Carry-on and Packing Checklists. This 21-page packet contains a different list for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, kids, teens & adults. You will also find additional planning tips and suggested items to buy sprinkled throughout the lists. Click here.
Please note this blog post contains affiliate links. Purchasing through a link is not extra cost to you but helps me keep Piccolo Italiano going. I only recommend products and services I think you will love!
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