Learn essential Italian vocabulary about prices and payments, including key words like "pagare" (to pay), "i contanti" (cash), "la carta" (card), and price descriptions such as "costoso" (expensive) and "economico" (cheap). Practice asking "Quanto costa?" (How much does it cost?) and using expressions to discuss shopping and money.
Vocabulary (12) Share Copied!
Exercises Share Copied!
These exercises can be done together during conversation lessons or as homework.
Exercise 1: Reorder sentences
Instruction: Make correct sentences and translate.
Exercise 2: Match a word
Instruction: Match the translations
Exercise 3: Cluster the words
Instruction: Classify the following words into two categories: payment methods and price descriptions, to help you talk about shopping in a simple and clear way.
Metodi di pagamento
Descrizioni di prezzo
Exercise 4: Translate and use in a sentence
Instruction: Pick a word, translated and use the word in a sentence or dialogue.
1
Costoso
Expensive
2
Economico
Cheap
3
Il conto
The bill
4
Il negozio
The shop
5
I contanti
Cash
Esercizio 5: Conversation exercise
Istruzione:
- Imagine you are on the market. What would you like to buy? How do you pay? (Imagine you are on the market. What would you like to buy? How do you pay?)
- Name and discuss the prices. Is it cheap or expensive? Ask for a discount. (Name and discuss the prices. Is it cheap or expensive? Ask for a discount.)
Teaching guidelines +/- 10 minutes
Example phrases:
Voglio comprare del pane e delle mele. I want to buy some bread and apples. |
Non voglio comprare niente. I don't want to buy anything. |
Le arance sono piuttosto costose. The oranges are quite expensive. |
Le cipolle sono economiche. The onions are cheap. |
Posso pagare in contanti o con carta? Can I pay cash or by card? |
C'è uno sconto per le verdure? Is there a discount for the vegetables? |
Quanto costano le arance? How much do the oranges cost? |
Le mele costano tre euro e cinquanta. The apples cost three euros fifty. |
... |
Exercise 6: Dialogue Cards
Instruction: Select a situation and practice the conversation with your teacher or fellow students.
Exercise 7: Multiple Choice
Instruction: Choose the correct solution
1. Io ____ sempre con la carta nel negozio vicino a casa.
(I always ____ with the card at the store near home.)2. Tu ____ molti prodotti economici quando fai la spesa.
(You ____ many affordable products when you shop.)3. Lui ____ sempre in contanti per evitare problemi.
(He always ____ in cash to avoid problems.)4. Noi ____ tutto il necessario per la cena di stasera.
(We ____ everything necessary for tonight's dinner.)Exercise 8: At the store with Marta
Instruction:
Verb Tables
Andare - Go
Presente
- io vado
- tu vai
- lui/lei va
- noi andiamo
- voi andate
- loro vanno
Vedere - See
Presente
- io vedo
- tu vedi
- lui/lei vede
- noi vediamo
- voi vedete
- loro vedono
Costare - Cost
Presente
- io costo
- tu costi
- lui/lei costa
- noi costiamo
- voi costate
- loro costano
Scegliere - Choose
Presente
- io scelgo
- tu scegli
- lui/lei sceglie
- noi scegliamo
- voi scegliete
- loro scelgono
Pagare - Pay
Presente
- io pago
- tu paghi
- lui/lei paga
- noi paghiamo
- voi pagate
- loro pagano
Parlare - Talk
Presente
- io parlo
- tu parli
- lui/lei parla
- noi parliamo
- voi parlate
- loro parlano
Portare - Carry
Presente
- io porto
- tu porti
- lui/lei porta
- noi portiamo
- voi portate
- loro portano
Exercise 9: Gli indefiniti: 'molto', 'tanto', 'poco', etc...
Instruction: Fill in the correct word.
Grammar: Indefinites: 'molto', 'tanto', 'poco', etc...
Show translation Show answersmolte, tutta, pochi, tante, poco, molto, tanto
Grammar Share Copied!
It's not the most exciting thing, we admit, but it’s absolutely essential (and we promise it'll pay off)!
A1.19.1 Grammatica
Gli indefiniti: 'molto', 'tanto', 'poco', etc...
Indefinites: 'molto', 'tanto', 'poco', etc...
Verb conjugation tables for this lesson Share Copied!
Pagare to pay Share Copied!
Presente
Italian | English |
---|---|
(io) pago | I pay |
(tu) paghi | You pay |
(lui/lei) paga | he/she pays |
(noi) paghiamo | we pay |
(voi) pagate | you pay |
(loro) pagano | they pay |
Comprare to buy Share Copied!
Presente
Italian | English |
---|---|
(io) compro | I buy |
(tu) compri | You buy |
(lui/lei) compra | he/she buys |
(noi) compriamo | we buy |
(voi) comprate | You buy |
(loro) comprano | they buy |
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Lesson Overview: Prices and Money in Italian
This lesson introduces you to essential Italian vocabulary and expressions related to prices, shopping, and methods of payment. It is designed for A1 learners who want to communicate effectively when purchasing items, asking about costs, or discussing payments in everyday situations.
Key Topics Covered
- Indefinite Quantifiers: Words like molto (a lot), tanto (so much), and poco (little) help express quantities related to money and items.
- Common Questions About Price: Learn to ask questions such as "Quanto costa questo vestito?" (How much does this dress cost?) and respond properly.
- Methods of Payment: Understand vocabulary related to paying methods including i contanti (cash), la carta (card), pagare (to pay), and il conto (the bill).
- Price Descriptions: Words describing cost like costoso (expensive), economico (cheap), and phrases such as costa 5 euro (costs 5 euros) are introduced to discuss value and deals.
Useful Expressions and Examples
Practice simple phrases such as:
- "Quanto costa questa maglietta?" - How much does this t-shirt cost?
- "Posso pagare con la carta?" - Can I pay by card?
- "Questo negozio è molto economico." - This store is very cheap.
- "Compro poca frutta perché costa tanto." - I buy little fruit because it costs a lot.
Practical Dialogues
You'll encounter dialogues simulating situations at the market, bar, and clothing store to help you practice asking prices and paying for goods confidently.
Verb Practice
Important verbs connected to the topic are conjugated in the present tense, such as pagare (to pay), comprare (to buy), and costare (to cost), allowing you to construct sentences about buying and paying easily.
Instruction vs Italian Language Notes
Since your instruction language and learning language differ (English and Italian), translations and equivalents are provided where useful. For example, Italian uses "pagare con la carta" for "to pay by card," which directly translates but differs slightly in phrasing from English. Also, indefinite quantifiers like molto, tanto, and poco correspond to English "much," "a lot," and "little," but Italian uses them flexibly with nouns and adjectives in ways worth observing.
Some handy phrases to remember include:
- Ho pochi soldi — I have little money.
- Il prezzo è molto alto — The price is very high.
- Posso pagare con la carta? — Can I pay by card?
- Ci sono molte offerte oggi. — There are many offers today.