Rome speaks Italian. Obviously.
But it also speaks in shortcuts, little jokes, expressive phrases, and words that make perfect sense once you've spent enough time here.
Some belong to Roman dialect. Others are everyday Italian expressions with a distinctly Roman rhythm.
You don't need to master them all. Just learn a few.
Because understanding a city sometimes begins with understanding what its people call things.
Daje!
Say it: DAH-yeh
LiterallyRoman form related to dai, meaning come on.
Annamo!
Say it: ahn-NAH-moh
LiterallyRoman dialect form of andiamo, meaning let's go.
Aò!
Say it: ah-OH
LiterallyAn informal Roman call for attention.
Magara!
Say it: mah-GAH-rah
LiterallyRoman form of magari, meaning if only.
Mo
Say it: moh
LiterallyNow, in Roman dialect.
Boh!
Say it: boh
LiterallyAn interjection expressing uncertainty.
Ammazza!
Say it: ahm-MAHT-tsah
LiterallyLiterally related to killing; used as an exclamation.
Che pizza!
Say it: keh PEET-tsah
LiterallyWhat a pizza!
Mannaggia!
Say it: mahn-NAHJ-jah
LiterallyAn exclamation of annoyance or frustration.
A regà!
Say it: ah reh-GAH
LiterallyRoman dialect call meaning hey, guys.
You don't need to sound like a Roman to love Rome.
A friendly buongiorno, a little curiosity, and knowing how to order an espresso will get you pretty far.
But now, when someone shouts daje or asks a regà to get moving, you'll know what they mean.
And that's a pretty good start.
A little Rome, in your pocket.
Save these ten expressions to My Bag. Your next Roman conversation might suddenly make a little more sense.
Rome looks good on you.
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Photos: Hero by Bruno BD / Unsplash; A pigeon on a window sill above the Campo de' Fiori street sign by Casey Lovegrove / Unsplash; Via dei Pettinari in Rome at night, lit by warm streetlamps by Gabriella Clare Marino / Unsplash (Unsplash and Pexels licenses). Product photos from our Etsy shop. Places mentioned are suggestions; check current details before you go.