How to think in Italian
Hey there, folks! Are you tired of struggling to speak Italian like a true native? Do you want to impress your Italian friends, or maybe just order a pizza in the language of love? Well, I’ve got some tips that will have you thinking in Italian faster than you can say “Buongiorno Italia!”
To answer how to think in Italian, first, let’s talk about filler words. You know, those little words we throw in to buy ourselves some time while we think of what to say next. In Italian, the king of filler words is “allora.” It’s like the Italian version of “um” or “ah.” Just sprinkle it into your conversation, and you’ll sound like a real Italian stallion. “Allora, let’s talk about the weather, huh?”
Next, if you want to think like an Italian, you’ve got to start paying attention to the words they use a lot. And then, incorporate them into your daily speech. Trust me, once you own a word, it’s yours forever. And who knows, maybe you’ll even start dreaming in Italian. Just don’t blame me if you wake up craving spaghetti at 3 AM.
To answer how to think in Italian, first, let’s talk about paying attention to the words Italians use a lot. And then, incorporate them into your daily speech.

The Fun Part
Are you ready to roll those new words around on your tongue? Well, buckle up, because I’ve got some tips to help you own that new language like a boss.
Now, if you really want to sound like a native speaker, the best thing you can do is find a reliable source to imitate. And I’m not talking about those sketchy language apps that sound like they’re using a robot translator. No, find a real person who speaks the language like it’s their mother tongue. You know, someone who can say “supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” without breaking a sweat.
But let’s be real, not all of us have access to a native speaker. Maybe you’re stuck with your friend who only took one semester of Italian in college and now thinks he’s an expert. Hey, at least he can give you a head start, right? And let’s face it, it’s less intimidating to practice with someone who’s in the same boat as you. Just don’t blame me if you end up with an Italian accent that sounds like you’ve got a mouthful of lasagna. If you don’t have native speakers around you to learn Italian, you need to check out this platform.
Just One Word!
Now, “allora” is not just any old filler word. It’s the Swiss Army knife of Italian expressions. As we mentioned above, it’s like the Italian equivalent of “um” or “like,” but with way more sass. It’s the perfect word for when you’re trying to figure out what to do next, or when you’re just thinking out loud.
For example, “Allora, should I do my laundry or binge-watch Netflix for the tenth time this week?” We all know what the right answer is.
And did you know that “allora” can also be used to check in on someone without actually saying anything else? Just add a sweet melody to your voice and you’ve got yourself a quick and easy “how are things?”
But beware, my friends, because “allora” can also express impatience. Like when your dog just won’t obey, and you’re about to lose your mind. That’s when you hit them with the classic “Allora!” – you want to obey me or what?
“Allora” comes from Latin and is made up of three parts – “a,” which means “to” or “at,” “la,” which means “the,” and “ora,” which means “hour.” So, in a very literal sense, “allora” could mean “at that hour.”
Expanding your vocabulary
Now, once you start thinking with “allora,” you’ll never go back. It’s like adding Italian seasoning to your sentences. And before you know it, you’ll be sprinkling Italian words into your daily conversations like it’s nobody’s business.
For example, instead of saying “I’m hungry,” why not try “Sono affamato, allora dovrei mangiare qualcosa?” It’s like music to my ears.
And the best part? “Allora” is a constant reminder of all things Italian. It’s like a little Italian angel on your shoulder, whispering sweet nothings in your ear. So go ahead and have some fun with it.
But a word of caution – don’t overdo it. We don’t want you to sound like a walking Italian dictionary. Unless that’s your thing, of course.
So there you have it, folks. Sprinkle some “allora” into your daily life and watch your Italian skills skyrocket. And if you’re feeling adventurous, try throwing in a few Italian hand gestures for good measure. Because let’s be real, nothing says “I speak Italian” like mixing “allora” with a well-timed hand gesture.
Learn more!
So, you’ve been practicing your Italian with “allora,” and now you’re ready to take it to the next level. But where do you go from here? Well, let me tell you – the key to mastering any language is listening to native speakers. And lucky for you, I’ve got just the thing. Check out this podcast-style Italian course.
Think of it like having a tiny Italian nonna in your pocket – except instead of making you endless amounts of pasta, she’s teaching you how to speak like a real Italian. And don’t worry about judgment here, folks. This teacher won’t bat an eye if you accidentally call spaghetti “noodles.”
With this course, you’ll get to listen to Italians talking in their natural habitat. You’ll learn all the slang, the colloquialisms, and the hand gestures.
And the cherry on top? You can test-drive it for a week for free. That’s right, no money down. It’s like a linguistic steal. Click here and start your linguistic journey.
Grazie, ragazzi, and remember: when in doubt, just say “allora” and see where it takes you. Ciao for now!
Allora! Reading this post has been so enjoyable. You make learning Italian something that I want to do. It is such a romantic language, anyway.
I usually find popups annoying, so this may be the first time I thank someone for a popup! You’ve gained a subscriber.
Thank you, Hannah, for your kind words. And thank you even more for subscribing to my newsletter. It means a lot to me.
I hope to keep inspiring you to learn Italian. I wish you all the best!
What a fun, fun post. Allora seems to be a versatile word! And an initiator to have us thinking in Italian. I can not guarantee I will say “allora” out loud. But I will honestly try playing it in my head daily. It will be fun to confront it with different everyday life scenarios.
Yeah, try playing it in your head in different scenarios! It will be fun! 🙂
I like the step-by-step guidance on how to approach the process of thinking in Italian. And the specific exercises and activities to build confidence are spot on.
Once we start thinking in the language, it’s a one-way direction toward fluency. Thanks for sharing. Your style is entertaining and funny.
SAM
Thank you! Thinking in the target language is a good goal! I wish you all the best.
I love your site. And I like that you teach people to think like an Italian to make learning the language easier. I have used Italki, the platform that connects you with language teachers worldwide for 1-on-1 lessons. The best part is that there’s something for everyone’s budget. I’m impressed that you can choose from over 320 languages! Another nice feature is that no two teachers are alike.
I am glad you have used italki, and thanks for sharing your experience with us!
Hey! I have always translated in my head. And it makes me slow to comunicate. And to cap it all, translating word by word guaratees that we will constantly be making grammar mistakes.
Thinking in Italian sounds intimidating. But your post has encouraged me to give it a try! Thank you
I agree with you. We should not translate word by word when trying to express ourselves in a new language. I am glad this post has encourage you to start thinking in Italian!
I am learning Italian. So your article was helpful. I have, so far, been trying to translate from English into Italian (what I want to say). But it always seems to take forever.
I have often heard Italians use the word “allora.” But I didn’t realize it had so many meanings and interpretations. Using Allora will help me to start thinking in Italian and help me improve.
Thank you for these great ideas.
Using Italian without translating is the best way to become fluent. I wish you all the best on your journey.