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A1 ItalianBilingual ReaderCuisine and Wine

La pizzeria di quartiere

On Friday evening, Matteo steps into the small pizzeria at the end of the street, weary after a long shift at the store.

Illustration for the A1 story "La pizzeria di quartiere": Matteo orders a bubbling margherita da asporto, swaps weekend gossip with Claudia behind the counter, and carts home piping vocabulary tied to basil and blister

What you'll learn

  • 1-minute story
  • Native narration
  • 6 useful words
  • 3 comprehension questions

Then shadow

Borrow the narrator’s rhythm

Pause after this line and repeat it aloud without translating. Aim for three clean repetitions.

1Listen first

Hear the whole story

Native Italian narration of this exact text. Keep the transcript visible on the first pass.

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2Then shadow

Venerdì sera Matteo entra nella piccola pizzeria alla fine della strada, stanco dopo il lungo turno al negozio.

Warm-up vocabulary

Preview 1 optional words before reading
pizzeria
pizzeria
“Vado in pizzeria ogni venerdì sera.”

Your Italian story

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1 min read

Venerdì sera Matteo entra nella piccola pizzeria alla fine della strada, stanco dopo il lungo turno al negozio. Il emana un profumo dolce di pomodoro e calda sulla pasta sottile. Claudia sorride da dietro il bancone e chiede: "Margherita come sempre?" Matteo annuisce, ma chiede più fresco perché ha imparato la parola ieri. Claudia annuisce, stende l' sottile, passa la sotto la pizza e la taglia in quattro spicchi caldi. Matteo paga alla cassa, prende la scatola di cartone e annusa il profumo caldo mentre cammina verso casa.

Show full English translation

On Friday evening, Matteo steps into the small pizzeria at the end of the street, weary after a long shift at the store. The wood-fired oven releases a sweet aroma of tomato and warm mozzarella on thin dough. Claudia smiles from behind the counter and asks, "Margherita as usual?" Matteo nods, but asks for more fresh basil because he learned the word yesterday. Claudia nods, stretches the thin dough, slides the peel under the pizza, and cuts it into four hot slices. Matteo pays at the register, takes the cardboard box, and inhales the warm aroma as he walks home.

Reading Comprehension Exercise

A1 Italian Reading Comprehension Exercises

1. What pizza does Claudia suggest for Matteo?

2. What extra does Matteo ask for today?

3. How does Matteo return home?

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