Vocabulary (Review)

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Lesson Transcript

Let's take a closer look at these three conversations.
First, do you remember how Ben Lee says,
"Excuse me."
Scusi.
In this context, Scusi is used to get someone's attention, and translates as "Excuse me." Scusi.
Scusi.
This is a formal expression. Ben uses it because he's speaking with someone he doesn't know.
Note: This expression can also be used as a mild apology, but here Ben uses it to get the attention of the person he's chasing after.
Remember this expression. You'll use it later in the lesson.
Do you remember how the passenger acknowledges Ben by saying,
"Yes?"
Sì? "Yes?" Sì?.
Sì?
The second part of the conversation takes place after Ben returns the passenger's wallet.
Do you remember how the passenger says,
"Thank you!"
Grazie!
"Thank you!"
Grazie! "Thank you!" Grazie!
Grazie!
To add more emphasis to your appreciation, you could say, Grazie mille, literally, "thanks a thousand," but translates as "thanks a lot." Grazie mille. This is an idiomatic expression used throughout all of Italy. Note, Mille grazie, "a thousand thanks," is a less frequently used variation, meaning the same thing.
Do you remember how Ben says,
"You're welcome."
Prego.
"You're welcome."
Prego. Prego.
Prego is from the verb pregare, meaning "to pray."
Prego.
"You're welcome" is the most common translation, but this is a versatile phrase that can be used in multiple situations with many translations. So you will come into contact with it a lot.
After the train doors shut and Ben misses his train, do you remember how the passenger apologies to Ben by saying,
"I'm sorry…"
Scusi…
"I'm sorry…"
In this context, Scusi…"I'm sorry…"
Scusi…
The passenger feels responsible for Ben missing his train and is apologizing.
So here, scusi… means "I'm sorry."
While in the first dialogue, scusi means, "excuse me," as Ben is trying to get the passenger's attention.
The meaning of scusi depends on context.
Do you remember how Ben replies,
"It's no problem."
Non c'è problema.
This starts with Non, which means "not." Non. Non.
Next is c'è, which means "there is." C'è. C'è.
C'è is the contracted form of ci è.
Ci. "There." Ci.
È. "Is," È.
Dropping the vowel sound from ci makes the phrase, C'è, easier to pronounce.
Last is problema, "problem." Problema. Problema.
All together, Non c'è problema literally means "Not there is problem," but it translates as "It's no problem," or "No problem."
Non c'è problema.
This is a common phrase used to express that things are alright.
Scusa is the informal form of scusi.
Scusa. "Excuse me." Scusa. Scusa.
Scusa is used in informal situations, such as when speaking with people of similar age and social status.
They are both imperative forms of the verb scusare, which means "to excuse," or "to forgive.”

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