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Italian · A1 Bilingual Reader Daily Life Cuisine and Wine

Al Mercato

Giulia strolls through the vibrant stalls of Campo de' Fiori, where the air is filled with the scent of fresh produce and flowers.

Today's learning

  • 1-minute story
  • Native narration
  • 12 useful words
  • 5 comprehension questions
  • A1 Italian
Illustration for the A1 story "Al Mercato": It's Saturday morning and Giulia goes to the market at Campo de' Fiori, in Rome. The market is outdoors and there are many colorful stalls.
Warm-up

Pre-Reading Vocabulary

Review these key words and phrasing examples before you begin reading.

mercato
market
"Il mercato è all'aperto."
all'aperto
outdoors
"Il mercato è all'aperto."
venditore
seller
"Il venditore è gentile."
vorrei
I would like
"Vorrei un chilo di pomodori."
borsa
bag
"Metto tutto nella mia borsa."
deliziosa
delicious
"L'insalata è deliziosa."

Your Italian story — tap highlighted words when you need help

1 min read
Native narration · pick a speed

È sabato mattina e Giulia va al di Campo de' Fiori, a Roma. Il mercato è e ci sono molti banchi colorati. Giulia vede frutta fresca, verdura, fiori e formaggi. " Buongiorno, signora! Cosa desidera?" chiede il . " un chilo di pomodori e mezzo chilo di peperoni rossi, per favore," dice Giulia. I pomodori sono rossi e profumati. Giulia compra anche delle fragole dolci e un mazzo di basilico fresco. "Il basilico è in regalo oggi," dice il venditore con un sorriso. Giulia paga e mette tutto nella sua di stoffa. Cammina tra i banchi e compra anche del pane fresco e della mozzarella. Quando torna a casa, Giulia prepara un'insalata caprese con i pomodori, la mozzarella e il basilico. È semplice ma .

Show full English translation

It's Saturday morning and Giulia heads to the bustling Campo de' Fiori market in Rome. The market is outdoors, alive with vibrant, colorful stalls. Giulia sees fresh fruit, vegetables, flowers, and cheeses. " Good morning, ma'am! What would you like?" asks the cheerful seller. " I'd like a kilo of tomatoes and half a kilo of red peppers, please," Giulia replies. The tomatoes are red and fragrant, bursting with aroma. Giulia also picks up sweet strawberries and a bunch of fresh basil. "The basil is a gift today," the seller says with a warm smile. Giulia pays and tucks everything into her cloth bag. She strolls between stalls, also buying fresh bread and mozzarella. Back home, Giulia prepares a caprese salad with tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil. It's simple yet delicious.

Reading Comprehension Exercise

A1 Italian Reading Comprehension Exercises

1. Where does Giulia go on Saturday morning?

2. What does Giulia buy at the market?

3. What is the seller's gift?

4. How does Giulia describe the tomatoes?

5. What does Giulia prepare when she gets home?

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Notebook

Patterns to reuse

How to order politely

Vorrei un chilo di pomodori

I’d like a kilo of tomatoes

In Italian, 'vorrei' (I would like) is polite for ordering or asking for things.

Vorrei [quantity] di [item]

  • Vorrei mezzo chilo di peperoni
  • Vorrei un mazzo di basilico

Use 'vorrei' plus what you want when buying or asking for something.

Saying where things are

Il basilico è in regalo oggi

The basil is a gift today

To say where or how something is, use '[thing] è [place/status]'.

[Item] è [place or state]

  • Il mercato è all'aperto
  • I pomodori sono rossi

The verb 'essere' (to be) shows location or a feature of something.

Walking around places

Cammina tra i banchi

She walks between the stalls

Learn 'tra [place]' to tell where you are walking or moving.

(Io) cammino tra [place]

  • Cammino tra i fiori
  • Cammino tra le persone

'Tra' means 'between' or 'among,' useful for describing movement in an area.

Insight

Translator's Note

"This story captures the vibrant atmosphere of an Italian market, offering a sensory experience through simple language."

Story complete

You just understood 129 Italian words.

  • 12 new expressions
  • 2 grammar patterns
  • A1 level unlocked

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