Una Passeggiata a Roma
A tourist trying to find the Trevi Fountain learns more from getting lost than from the map.
Today's learning
- 1-minute story
- Native narration
- 10 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
Anna è in vacanza a Roma. È il suo primo giorno e vuole vedere di Trevi. Prende la mappa dall'hotel e cammina per le strade del centro. Le strade sono strette e piene di persone. Anna guarda la mappa, ma non capisce bene. Una guida locale sorride e chiede: "Hai bisogno di aiuto?" Anna risponde: "Sì, grazie. Cerco la Fontana di Trevi, ma mi sono persa." dice: "Non è lontana. Prima, però, guarda questa piazza bellissima con una fontana antica." Anna guarda . È piena di fiori, persone e musica da lontano. La guida continua: "Adesso a destra, poi sempre dritto. Dopo due minuti, vedi la fontana." Anna segue le indicazioni e arriva alla Fontana di Trevi. È enorme e bellissima. Guarda l'acqua blu e le statue bianche. "Che !" dice. Anna una moneta nell'acqua, come fanno tutti i turisti. Poi pensa: "Mi sono persa, ma ho visto cose bellissime. Qualche volta è bello!"
Show full English translation
Anna is on vacation in Rome. It's her first day and she wants to see the Trevi Fountain. She takes the map from the hotel and walks through the streets of the center. The streets are narrow and full of people. Anna looks at the map, but she doesn't understand well. A local guide smiles and asks: "Do you need help?" Anna answers: "Yes, thanks. I'm looking for the Trevi Fountain, but I got lost." The guide says: "It's not far. First, though, look at this beautiful square with an ancient fountain." Anna looks at the square. It's full of flowers, people and music from afar. The guide continues: "Now turn right, then straight ahead. After two minutes, you'll see the fountain." Anna follows the directions and arrives at the Trevi Fountain. It's enormous and beautiful. She looks at the blue water and the white statues. "How wonderful!" she says. Anna throws a coin into the water, as all tourists do. Then she thinks: "I got lost, but I saw beautiful things. Sometimes getting lost is nice!"
Reading Comprehension Exercise
A1 Italian Reading Comprehension Exercises
1. What does Anna want to see in Rome?
Correct: The Trevi Fountain
Anna wants to see the Trevi Fountain, one of the most famous monuments in Rome.
2. Why can't Anna find the fountain?
Correct: The streets are narrow and she doesn't understand the map well
The streets are narrow and full of people. Anna looks at the map but doesn't understand it well.
3. Who helps Anna?
Correct: A local guide
A local guide smiles and asks: "Do you need help?"
4. What does the guide do before giving directions?
Correct: Shows a beautiful square
The guide says: "First, though, look at this beautiful square with an ancient fountain."
5. What does Anna think at the end of the story?
Correct: Getting lost is sometimes nice
Anna thinks: "I got lost, but I saw beautiful things. Sometimes getting lost is nice!"
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Patterns to reuse
Asking for and giving directions
Gira a destra, poi sempre dritto
Turn right, then straight ahead
Use imperative verbs like 'gira' (turn) and 'vai' (go) for directions.
Gira [direction], poi [next direction]
- Gira a sinistra, poi sempre dritto
- Vai dritto, poi gira a destra
'Gira a destra/sinistra' means 'turn right/left'. 'Sempre dritto' means 'straight ahead'.
Saying you need help
Hai bisogno di aiuto?
Do you need help?
Use 'avere bisogno di' to express needing something.
(Io) ho bisogno di [something]
- Ho bisogno di una mappa
- Ho bisogno di acqua
- Ho bisogno di riposo
'Avere bisogno di' is the standard way to say you need something in Italian.
Expressing wonder and admiration
Che meraviglia!
How wonderful!
Use 'Che' + noun to express admiration.
Che [noun]!
- Che bello!
- Che bella giornata!
- Che sorpresa!
'Che + noun' is a common exclamation pattern in Italian.
Talking about getting lost
Mi sono persa
I got lost
Use 'mi sono perso/a' to say you got lost.
Mi sono perso/a
- Mi sono persa nel centro
- Mi sono perso tra le strade
- Ci siamo persi
'Perdersi' (to get lost) is a reflexive verb. Use 'mi sono perso' for a man, 'mi sono persa' for a woman.
Translator's Note
"This story captures the magic of discovering Rome through unexpected detours, emphasizing that getting lost can lead to the best travel memories."
Story complete
You just understood 162 Italian words.
- 10 new expressions
- 2 grammar patterns
- A1 level unlocked
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