La Colazione da Marta
A regular customer's usual order is accidentally swapped, leading to a pleasant breakfast discovery in Naples.
Today's learning
- 1-minute story
- Native narration
- 11 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
Tutti i giorni Marco va al bar "Da Marta" per , prima di andare in ufficio. Marta lavora come da vent'anni e conosce tutti i clienti. Marco è un cliente fedele. Ordina sempre la stessa cosa. Per lui è un cappuccino e una brioche alla crema. Ogni giorno, da anni. Ma oggi qualcosa cambia. Marco dice: "Buongiorno, Marta! Il solito, per favore." Marta è molto occupata e prende una brioche con , non alla crema. Marco prende , e va al suo tavolo vicino alla finestra. la brioche e fa una faccia strana. "Questa non è alla crema, è alla marmellata!" Ma poi sorride. La marmellata di albicocche è calda e dolce. "Che buona!" pensa. Marta si avvicina e dice: "Scusa, Marco! Ho sbagliato. Vuoi un'altra brioche?" Marco ride. "No, va bene così. Scoprire un nuovo è bello. La marmellata di albicocche è deliziosa!"
Show full English translation
Every day Marco goes to the bar "Da Marta" for breakfast, before going to the office. Marta has worked as a barista for twenty years and knows all the customers. Marco is a loyal customer. He always orders the same thing. For him it's a cappuccino and a cream-filled croissant. Every day, for years. But today something changes. Marco says: "Good morning, Marta! The usual, please." Marta is very busy and by mistake she takes a croissant with jam, not cream-filled. Marco takes the cappuccino, the croissant and goes to his table near the window. He bites the croissant and makes a strange face. "This isn't cream-filled, it's with jam!" But then he smiles. The apricot jam is warm and sweet. "How good!" he thinks. Marta approaches and says: "Sorry, Marco! I made a mistake. Do you want another croissant?" Marco laughs. "No, it's fine like this. Discovering a new taste is nice. The apricot jam is delicious!"
Vocabulary recap
Reading Comprehension Exercise
A1 Italian Reading Comprehension Exercises
1. Where does Marco go every day for breakfast?
Correct: To the bar "Da Marta"
Marco goes to the bar "Da Marta" for breakfast before going to the office.
2. What does Marco always order?
Correct: A cappuccino and a cream-filled brioche
For him it's always a cappuccino and a cream-filled brioche, every day.
3. What happens differently today?
Correct: Marta picks a brioche with jam by mistake
Marta is very busy and by mistake picks a brioche with jam.
4. How does Marco react when he discovers the mistake?
Correct: He smiles and says it's good
Marco smiles and thinks: "The apricot jam is warm and sweet. How good!"
5. What flavor of jam is in the brioche?
Correct: Apricot
The jam is apricot, warm and sweet.
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Patterns to reuse
Ordering the usual
Il solito, per favore
The usual, please
Use 'il solito' when you always order the same thing.
Il solito, per favore
- Il solito, grazie
- Come sempre, per favore
'Il solito' is a very common Italian expression for regulars at bars and restaurants.
Apologizing for a mistake
Scusa, Marco! Ho sbagliato
Sorry, Marco! I made a mistake
Use 'Ho sbagliato' to admit you made an error.
Scusa, ho sbagliato [thing]
- Scusa, ho sbagliato ordine
- Mi dispiace, ho sbagliato
'Ho sbagliato' means 'I was wrong / I made a mistake'. Use 'Scusa' informally with friends.
Saying it's fine / no problem
Va bene così
It's fine like this
Use 'va bene così' to accept something as it is.
Va bene così
- Va bene lo stesso
- Così va bene
'Va bene così' is a useful phrase when you want to say something is acceptable as it is.
Expressing that something is good to eat
Che buona!
How good (it is)!
Use 'Che' + adjective to express how good something is.
Che [adjective]!
- Che buono!
- Che delizioso!
- Che dolce!
'Che buono/buona!' is a common exclamation for food. Match the gender of the food.
Translator's Note
"This story highlights the charm of Italian bar culture, where a simple mistake can turn into a happy discovery in the heart of Naples."
Story complete
You just understood 154 Italian words.
- 11 new expressions
- 2 grammar patterns
- A1 level unlocked
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