Italian Geography & Landmarks
This city is famously built on more than 100 small islands in a lagoon, and uses canals instead of roads.
What is Venice (Venezia)?
In Italian, the word “ciao” can be used both for “hello” and for this.
What is goodbye?
This popular staple is often served al dente and can be shaped like spaghetti, penne, or farfalle.
What is pasta?
Italy’s capital city, home to ancient ruins and Vatican City.
What is Rome (Roma)?
This verb means “to eat” and is used when talking about having food or meals.
What is mangiare?
Known for its leaning bell tower, this Tuscan city’s most famous landmark is often featured in photos of people “propping” it up.
What is Pisa?
This polite word meaning “please” in English is used in Italian when making a request.
What is per favore?
This popular Italian dish is made with flat dough, tomato sauce, cheese, and toppings. What is it called?
What is pizza?
The year Italy was unified in the 19th century.
What is 1861?
This verb means “to want” and connects to a famous Italian hand gesture that can mean “What do you want?”
What is volere?
This active volcano near Naples famously destroyed the ancient city of Pompeii in 79 AD.
What is Mount Vesuvius (Vesuvio)?
This Italian phrase literally means “good day” and is a common daytime greeting.
What is buongiorno?
What is the name for thinly sliced Italian meats like prosciutto and salami?
What is affettati?
Which Italian city is known as the birthplace of the Renaissance?
What is the Florence (Firenze)?
This verb means “to go” and is used to talk about moving from one place to another.
What is andare?
Italy is often described as being shaped like what type of clothing?
What is a boot?
Italian has four main definite articles in the singular form. Name any two of them.
Any two of “il, lo, la, l’”.
This northern Italian rice dish is cooked slowly, often with broth, butter, and Parmesan, until it’s creamy.
What is risotto?
What phrase describes the vast network of roads the Romans built across their empire?
What is “All roads lead to Rome”?
This verb means “to think” and is used when expressing thoughts, opinions, or when considering what to do.
What is pensare?
What are the two largest islands that are part of Italy?
What is Sicily (Sicilia) and Sardinia (Sardegna)?
This grammatical mood in Italian is used for giving orders, exclamations, or instructions (e.g., “Scusa!” for “Scusi!”).
What is the imperative (l’imperativo)?
Named after the “hunter’s style” this dish (often made with chicken) is simmered in tomato sauce, onions, herbs, and sometimes wine.
What is chicken cacciatore (pollo alla cacciatora)?
The city-state of Venice was a major maritime power. Name the sea that Venice dominated for centuries, crucial for trade routes.
What is the Adriatic Sea?
This verb means “to choose” and is used when deciding between two or more options.
What is scegliere?