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

Pre-Reading Vocabulary
Review these key words and phrasing examples before you begin reading.
Your Italian story — tap highlighted words when you need help
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.
Vocabulary recap
Reading Comprehension Exercise
A1 Italian Reading Comprehension Exercises
1. Where does Giulia go on Saturday morning?
Correct: To the market
Giulia goes to the Campo de' Fiori market, a famous place in Rome known for its colorful and lively stalls.
2. What does Giulia buy at the market?
Correct: Tomatoes and peppers
Giulia buys a kilo of tomatoes and half a kilo of red peppers, among other things.
3. What is the seller's gift?
Correct: Basil
The seller offers Giulia a bunch of fresh basil as a gift.
4. How does Giulia describe the tomatoes?
Correct: Red and fragrant
The tomatoes are described as red and fragrant, suggesting freshness and quality.
5. What does Giulia prepare when she gets home?
Correct: A caprese salad
Giulia prepares a caprese salad with the tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil she bought.
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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.
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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