Italienisch für Dummies

by Francesca Romana Onofri

As society becomes more international in nature, knowing a few words in other languages has become more useful. Perhaps you travel frequently abroad, or your business requires you to travel overseas. Perhaps you have friends and neighbors who speak other languages, or you want to find out more about your heritage by learning a little bit of the language your ancestors spoke.Whatever your reason for wanting to learn some Italian, "Italian For Dummies" is the right book for you. Written in partnership with Berlitz - experts in helping people learn foreign languages - this book gives you the skills you need for basic communication in Italian, and it will get you well on your way to becoming fluent. Just think what you're family and friends will think when you order off the menu at your favorite Italian restaurant

"Italian For Dummies" covers not only ordering at an Italian restaurant, but also these topics: Basic spelling, grammar, and numbersMeeting and greeting, and making small talkShopping, shopping, and even more shoppingGoing out on the townBusiness situationsTraveling, checking into a hotel, and planning a tripHandling emergenciesTop Ten lists with advice on how to pick up Italian quickly, things you should "never" say in Italian, and favorite Italian expressions

The best thing about this book is that you can learn at your own pace; for example, if you're planning a trip to Italy next year, sit down once or twice a week with this book and go through the chapters that you'll think you need for your trip. That's a lot easier than dragging yourself to a class twice a week - not to mention a lot more fun, too

Genres: Language, Nonfiction, Reference, Italian Literature, Education, Ebooks, Linguistics

355 pages, Paperback

First published May 15, 2000

Reviews

[Selenita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sinceramente: no vas a aprender italiano con este libro; no es un sustituto de un curso de idiomas serio. Para aprender un idioma hay que ponerse a estudiar con regularidad y practicar mucho más allá de lo que se ofrece aquí. No obstante, si quieres viajar a Italia o tener un primer contacto con la lengua italiana para comprobar si te gusta, sí que es una forma entretenida de aprender expresiones y palabras. Y creo que esa es la idea, por lo que la obra cumple su propósito.

[Grace Rascati · Rating 4 out of 5]

An informative book that's easy to read. I especially like the chapter with the ten things you shouldn't say in Italian--and the ten things you should say if you want to sound more Italian.

[Micaela Bruno · Rating 2 out of 5]

No es un libro para aprender italiano, si tenes una base realmente básica te puede ser útil para reforzar algunos conceptos, practicar un poco de gramática pero muy básica. Si ya sabes hablarlo no te va a servir. Lo leí pensando que iba a ser un poco más complejo/teorico la verdad.

[anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful asl!!! 🥰

[Lauren · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unless you want to read a dictionary, dont bother with this one. There are much better audio programs out there.
The book is actually useful, but listening to the CDs is painful.

[Shayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don't plan on this book teaching you Italian, but it is good review to help support your other methods of learning the language.

[Al Capwned · Rating 1 out of 5]

More like a glorified tourist guide than an actual language learning method.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bastante completo para repasar —como lo es en mi caso— y te enseña una gran variedad de cosas para aprender Italiano.
Claramente le falta otras cosas que no vi dentro del libro pero, prácticamente, es como un manual, la pronunciación si o si tienes que escucharla; por ejemplo no es lo mismo é que e, significa igual en Portugués sin embargo en esta lengua si se hace una diferencia de cada vocal mientras que en Italiano posee una e abierta y otra cerrada, y allí te veo pegarte un tiro sino sabes cómo hacer el sonido que es jajaja

[Oana · Rating 4 out of 5]

People are complaining in the reviews that "you can't learn Italian with this book"
Well of course you can't learn a whole language with one book, but I think it is really a good start - awesome source of vocabulary, enough grammar to not overwhelm you (but to still give you a solid foundation) and bonus: cultural and social aspects about the culture! What more can you ask really!?

[Michael Krathwohl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book provides pretty much exactly what you'd expect, building up from rudimentary language concepts to more complex phrases. As an English primary speaker, I can only speak on how well it has helped me learn the Italian language. But the feedback I've gotten from native Italian speakers is that I've progressed immensely. As with anything else, you have to put the effort in and be aware of which areas you need to practice more than others, and as with learning any language, some of the concepts can be a bit difficult to understand. I felt this book does an excellent job at addressing potential issues when trying to learn the language. There may be other options out there, but I recommend this one for first time speakers for sure.

Edit: I see others have stated that the audio accompaniment was lacking. For the record, I never even bothered with the audio CD as I had people to talk to to practice in real life. My rating is based on the book only, which I found very well organized and written.

[Kelly Whitt · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was certainly helpful to listen to but there’s stuff you’ll want to skip if you’re not a student and more stuff you’ll wish they went over for your particular needs. But a good start.

[John · Rating 1 out of 5]

Il libro e va bene

[Yue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Of course it is very helpful, I only need to put more effort! Hopefully I would be able to at least order some pasta when I travel this end of the year -_-

[Medhat ullah · Rating 4 out of 5]

amazing book :)

[Dudadi · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book's awesome ... only, i'm thicker ...

[Valters Bondars · Rating 3 out of 5]

6/10

[Marta Guerrero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bastante útil para combinarlo con otros métodos.

[Bambi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need to buy this book!!

[Amber · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good for memorizing phrases for a quick trip to Italy, but not helpful at all for those trying to learn the language. Most of it was too easy for me, while the chapters i really need (like past and future tense) were covered in three sentences without explaining any rules or tips. Also, it's terribly boring to listen to, more like a grocery list than a lesson.