Italian: Lonely Planet Phrasebook [Paperback]

Karina Coates (Author), Pietro Iagnocco (Author), Lonely Planet Phrasebooks (Author)

Book Description

Series: Lonely Planet Phrasebook | Publication Date: March 1, 2008

I thought I spoke Italian but the only thing I could think to describe the Sistine Chapel was 'Mamma mia!' Then I opened my phrasebook and entered a world beyond the Italy I though I knew.

Our phrasebooks give you a comprehensive mix of practical and social words and phrases in more than 120 languages. Chat with the locals and discover their culture - a guaranteed way to enrich your travel experience.

Editorial Reviews

Review

National Geographic Traveler, September 2006
'Lonely Planet Phrasebooks. Portable, pocket-size, cheap, and available for almost any country you might want to visit...'

From the Publisher

Who We Are
At Lonely Planet, we see our job as inspiring and enabling travelers to connect with the world for their own benefit and for the benefit of the world at large.

What We Do
* We offer travelers the world's richest travel advice, informed by the collective wisdom of over 350 Lonely Planet authors living in 37 countries and fluent in 70 languages.
* We are relentless in finding the special, the unique and the different for travellers wherever they are.
*We update our guidebooks by visiting thousands of places in person to get the details right and tell it as it is.
* We always offer the trusted filter for those who are curious, open minded and independent.
* We challenge our growing community of travelers; leading debate and discussion about travel and the world.
* We tell it like it is without fear or favor in service of the travelers; not clouded by any other motive.

What We Believe
We believe that travel leads to a deeper cultural understanding and compassion and therefore a better world.

Product Details

• Paperback: 260 pages
• Publisher: Lonely Planet; 3 edition (March 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1740599810
• ISBN-13: 978-1740599818
• Product Dimensions: 5.4 x 3.7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #585,594 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #20 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Reference > Dictionaries & Thesauruses > Foreign Language > Italian
  • #35 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Nonfiction > Foreign Language Nonfiction > Italian
  • #38 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Reference > Foreign Languages > Instruction > Italian

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is great!, June 6, 2005

By 

L. Hines (KY, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Italian: Lonely Planet Phrasebook (Paperback)

I went to Italy two summers ago with no previous Italian. From reading over the phrasebook I learned a great deal of Italian and was able to communicate with people in everyday situations (buying subway tickets, ordering food, directions, etc.). This book contains way more than just your basic "touristy" phrases and was really helpful, especially the index of Italian foods. I would recommend this to anyone going to Italy or anyone who just wants to learn a few phrases. There are some parts of the book that you won't use but I still think that its a really good deal and contains a lot of good information.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Size and Easy use., February 12, 2006

By 

K. Scott (Raleigh, NC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Italian: Lonely Planet Phrasebook (Paperback)

We used this book for our trip to Italy and I found it to be a very big help. Also the small size made it easy to stick in my pocket and carry all over without looking like tourists.
Now we tried to learn as much Italian as we could before we went over so we didn't need it for very basic words but it was great when we didn't understand some words while eating or in museums.
It is split into different topics so its easy and quick to find things about shopping, eating, hotels, trains, etc...
I really didn't try to use it if I was trying to have a conversation with a fluent speaker as I don't think it was really made for that purpose.
So overall I found this book to be a huge help, but let me also suggest trying to learn as many basic words as possible. It will make things quicker and easier.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Came in handy for all sorts of scenarios you'll enounter..., April 10, 2007

By 

Brin Reinhardt (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Italian: Lonely Planet Phrasebook (Paperback)

I travelled alone in Italy for one week, and this little book was so helpful...referenced it again and again during my visit. It came in handy for practical situations travelers always encounter...directions, menu verbiage, and basic conversation with locals.
It also helped in more specific situations...for women traveling, this will help you formulate quick responses to the "ciao bellas" you'll receive. Bene!