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.

- Length
- 129 words
- Reading time
- ~1 min
- Vocabulary
- 12 terms
- Comprehension
- 5 questions
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 . " Vorrei 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. Dove va Giulia sabato mattina?
Correct: Al mercato
Giulia va al mercato di Campo de' Fiori, un luogo famoso a Roma per i suoi banchi colorati e vivaci.
2. Cosa compra Giulia al mercato?
Correct: Pomodori e peperoni
Giulia compra un chilo di pomodori e mezzo chilo di peperoni rossi, tra le altre cose.
3. Qual è il regalo del venditore?
Correct: Basilico
Il venditore offre a Giulia un mazzo di basilico fresco come regalo.
4. Come descrive Giulia i pomodori?
Correct: Rossi e profumati
I pomodori sono descritti come rossi e profumati, suggerendo freschezza e qualità.
5. Cosa prepara Giulia quando torna a casa?
Correct: Un'insalata caprese
Giulia prepara un'insalata caprese con i pomodori, la mozzarella e il basilico che ha comprato.
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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."
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