7 Meanings of the Phrase Prego in Italian + How To Use It Like a Professional

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Think about utilizing a single phrase to speak in quite a lot of on a regular basis interactions. The phrase prego in Italian is that magical phrase. Although it could be small, it wields nice linguistic affect. When you’ve got ever spent a while in Italia, you’ve most likely heard this phrase a thousand instances a day—once you entered that gioielleria (jewellery retailer) on By way of del Corso, or in a bar, or at a trattoria. 

As you make your manner via the streets of Florence or Venice or Rome, you’ll wish to use the phrase prego your self to slot in with the locals. It’s a part of your journey to be taught Italian so you may converse simply throughout your travels. However when you simply wish to know “What does prego imply in Italian?” then maintain studying to search out out its many meanings when used with context.

Origin of the phrase prego in Italian

The unique that means is the primary particular person of the verb pregare (to hope), used like this: io prego (I pray). Whereas it may have meant that you simply had been praying to a deity, it additionally meant somewhat extra. The utilization continuously occurred in previous centuries when etiquette demanded a sure deference. 

• La prego di perdonarmi = I pray in your forgiveness

Presumably, it’s this authentic that means that brought on prego to turn into the moment reply to grazie (thanks). It had probably been an expression to want somebody effectively after they’d finished a form deed—one thing like “I pray in your well-being.”

These days, you’ll hear expressions like: Ti prego, ascoltami, which suggests “Please, hearken to me.” Needless to say when used this manner, prego has a type of pleading tone to it. Past these makes use of, prego is a flexible phrase that often has to do with being well mannered in a single kind or one other. Let’s break down some frequent meanings of the phrase prego in Italian so you may perceive and use it appropriately when you be taught the way to communicate Italian.

1. You might be welcome

The grazie–prego mixture is a should within the Italian language. It’s an automatism and is taken into account the cornerstone of primary politeness. If somebody says grazie to you and also you don’t reply with prego, it’s thought-about fairly impolite.

So, you’re in your favourite bar the place you order an Italian espresso (cappuccino) to begin your day, and the barista palms you the mug. Now you say grazie and they’ll reply prego. You should use this in any scenario like a mercata (market), bar, or biglietteria (ticket workplace). For those who occur to overlook it, whoever was ready in your response would possibly holler at you prego eh?, simply as a reminder that it’s best to have mentioned it.

2. Are available in 

Maybe you’ve been invited to somebody’s home for dinner or an aperitivo, so that you ring the bell and await them to come back and open the door. After they do, they’ll smile and say prego and step apart to present you room to enter the home. As you may see, the context guides you to the best that means: “are available” and even “you’re welcome to come back in.”

The identical factor would possibly occur once you stroll into a store. The clerk will smile at you from behind the counter and say prego to ask you in. It’s only a good approach to usher somebody in and present that they’re host. 

3. After you

One other prego that means is “after you.” Let’s say you’re about to step inside a banca (financial institution), and there’s one other one that is about to do the identical. You possibly can cease on the brink and say prego to permit them to go first. Or you’re out on a date and also you need your companion to get contained in the ristorante (restaurant) first, you’ll transfer to the facet and say prego. 

4. Please

Now, this specific that means has totally different layers. Let’s say you’re at your Italian good friend’s home for that aperitivo, and also you’re sitting in a cushty chair. Your good friend approaches you whereas holding a tray with some bruschetta or cicchetti. They lean in the direction of you and say prego, which suggests “please, assist your self.”

Furthermore, you should utilize this various phrase to supply somebody a seat: prego, si accomodi (please, sit). It may also be the reply somebody provides you once you ask to take one thing. 

• Posso prendere questa scatola? = Can I take this field?
• Prego = Please, be at liberty to take action 

5. How can I assist you to?

Don’t be greatly surprised if while you’re having a look round a store, the shopkeeper comes subsequent to you and asks, Prego, signora/signore? What they imply to ask is “How can I assist you to, ma’am/sir?” Once more, you’ll have context for this use since they’ll state it like a query and be wanting intently at you. 

6. I urge your pardon

Usually you’ll use this sort of prego in a extra formal setting. Think about you’re having a dialog with somebody who’s older than you, somebody you don’t know very effectively, or a possible enterprise companion. They could say one thing too rapidly or quietly. You should use prego? to have them repeat the data as a substitute of claiming come? which mainly means “Sorry? (I didn’t perceive.)” Keep in mind that on this specific case, there must be a tone of query in your voice. This easy rise in tone will present the best context in your dialog companion.

7. Definitely

Another useful that means of prego is once you’ve requested permission to do one thing. Maybe you’d wish to style nonna’s ravioli otherwise you’d wish to scent a profumo (fragrance) in a store. The response you’d get may very well be prego! This may very well be translated to one thing like “definitely” or “go forward” or “in fact.” Both manner, it’s a simple response to yet one more well mannered interplay. 

The opposite phrase you would possibly hear in response to such a query is certo, which has an analogous that means. However don’t be stunned when you hear this beloved “p” phrase once more. 

• Posso sentire il profumo? = Can I scent the fragrance?
• Prego! – Definitely!

Transcend the that means of prego in Italian with Rosetta Stone

There are many Italian phrases and Italian greetings to be taught, however you now have a leg up with the Italian phrase prego because it is among the most useful phrases for well mannered dialog with strangers and pals. For those who’re able to speed up your language studying journey, you’ll love Rosetta Stone’s TruAccent software program that makes use of AI to make sure your pronunciation is completely on level.