Phrases for Enjoying Your Time at the Beach

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I adore all of you, and it’s been such a pleasure to learn Italian alongside you.

Abbracci,

Cher

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The sun is shining, and you’ve just arrived at your seaside resort hotel in Taormina. Before you even reach your room, you’re already thinking about what the ocean breeze is going to feel like once you roll out your towel and lay underneath the big umbrellas lining the shore.

Even if you’re just going to relax, it’s likely that you’re going to need to use some Italian, so here is a list of basic vocabulary plus a short dialogue to help you navigate the beaches in Italy.

Vocabulary

• Beach – La spiaggia

• The sea – Il mare

TIP: Even though you’re technically going to the beach, you’ll hear many Italians refer to the beach as “il mare – the sea”. Also, when you’re talking about going to the beach or the sea, the prepositions will vary. You’ll say “Vado IN spiaggia – I’m going to the beach” and “Vado AL mare – I’m going to the sea”.

• Sand – La sabbia

• Shore – La riva

• Tide – La marea

• Boardwalk – Il lungomare

• Big umbrella – L’ombrellone

• Beach club – Un locale sulla spiaggia

• Seashell – La conchiglia

• Beach chair – La sdraio

• Lifeguard – Il bagnino

• Boat – La barca

• Speedboat – Il motoscafo

• Paddle Boat – Il pedalò

What you’ll do there

• Fare un bagno – Take a dip

• To swim – Nuotare

• Suntan – Abbronzarsi

• Relax – Rilassarsi

• Squeeze in a nap – Schiacciare un pisolino

• Have a picnic – Fare un picnic

• Build a sand castle – Costruire un castello di sabbia

• Watch the sunset – Vedere il tramonto

• Spend time with friends – Passare il tempo con amici

You’ll want to bring

• Sunglasses – Gli occhiali da sole

• Sunscreen – La crema/protezione solare

• Swimsuit – Il costume da bagno

• Flip-flops – Le infradito

• Towel – Il telo mare

• Bathing suit cover up – Il pareo/il copricostume

• Cooler – La borsa frigo

• A good book – Un buon libro

Sample Dialogue

L’uomo: Il tempo è bellissimo, andiamo al mare? – The weather is really nice, let’s go the sea?

La donna: Volentieri! Quando partiamo? Voglio mangiare sulla spiaggia, quindi devo fare la spesa. – Definitely! When are we leaving? I want to have a picnic on the beach, so I have to do some shopping.

L’uomo: Partiamo alle 10, allora tra due ore, e va bene, ti porto al mercato. – We’ll leave at 10, so in two hours and all right, I’ll bring you to the store.

{al mercato – at the store}

La donna: Allora, compro del pane, un po’ di prosciutto cotto, e poi della frutta. Che altro? – So, I’ll buy some bread, a bit of cooked prosciutto, e then some fruit.

L’uomo: Del formaggio, magari pecorino? – Some cheese, maybe pecorino?

La donna: Perfetto, e non possiamo dimenticare la pasta fredda che ti piace così tanto, quella con i pomodorini! – Perfect, and we can’t forget the cold pasta that you like so much, the one with the little tomatoes.

{a casa – at home}

La donna: Non riesco a trovare il mio costume da bagno. L’hai mica visto? – I can’t find my bathing suit. Have you seen it by chance?

L’uomo: Mhhh, no, però qua ho le tue infradito, la protezione solare, i teli mare, il tuo copricostume, le mie pinne e la maschera! – Hmmm, no, but here I have your flip-flips, the sunscreen, the beach towels, your cover up, my flippers, and the diver’s mask!.

La donna: Non fa niente, l’ho trovato. Andiamo! – It’s okay, I found it. Let’s go!

{in spiaggia – at the beach}

La donna: Vorremmo due sdraio in riva al mare, per favore. – We would like two beach chairs near the shore, please.

Il bagnino: Va bene, seguitemi Signori. – Okay, follow me, sir and m’am.

L’uomo: Oh, Grazie! – Oh, thank you!

Il bagnino: Se avete bisogno di qualsiasi cosa io sono lì alla torretta. Godetevi la giornata ed attenti alle onde! – If you need anything you’ll find me on my turret over there. Enjoy your day and beware the waves!

L’uomo: Aaah, si sta benissimo sotto l’ombrellone! Vieni anche tu! – Aaah, it’s wonderful here under the big umbrella! Come!

La donna:  No, non ci penso nemmeno, io voglio abbronzarmi! – No, forget it, I want to suntan!

L’uomo: Guarda quel bambino, che bel castello ha costruito! – Look at that child, he built a really nice sandcastle!

La donna: Davvero! È stato bravissimo!! – You’re right! He’s been great!