# Advanced Italian idioms and expressions

**Language:** Italian  
**CEFR Level:** B2  

> Listen in as Francesca and Riccardo talk about native idioms and nuanced expressions in real, everyday Italian. By the end of this course their conversation will feel easy to follow, and you'll be ready to join in.

**Setting:** Francesca and Riccardo are sharing a joint stall representing regional food vendors at an annual artisan food trade show in Bologna's Quadrilatero district. Over long days at the trade fair, they compare business tactics, talk through daily encounters, and exchange colorful regional commentary.

## Lessons

### 1. Comparing prices at a venue

Francesca and Riccardo complain about event coffee prices while drinking morning coffee in the crowded hall.

### 2. Proposing a joint business space

Francesca suggests combining their fair booths next year to save money on rent, but Riccardo expresses doubts.

### 3. Evaluating product pairings at fairs

Riccardo questions mixing coffee with anchovies, while Francesca points to a successful neighboring Tuscan food stall.

### 4. Discussing trade fair contract risks

Riccardo reflects on getting free olive oil samples and expresses concern about committing to a long-term venue contract.

### 5. Negotiating fair contract terms

Francesca proposes asking organizers for exit clauses in the contract to protect Riccardo from long commitments.

### 6. Setting deadlines for key decisions

Francesca shares that the event team will reply by Saturday, establishing a firm timeline for their decision.

### 7. Describing suspicious visitors at events

Riccardo describes a strange visitor without a business card who took photos of their booth's price list.

### 8. Spotting potential security threats

Francesca and Riccardo discuss a visitor asking suspicious questions about overnight inventory storage.

### 9. Identifying genuine trade buyers

Francesca explains how to distinguish real buyers asking about wholesale rates from potential trade fair thieves.

### 10. Planning venue security measures

Francesca boasts about her booth experience while Riccardo suggests reporting suspicious behavior to fair security.

### 11. Securing inventory overnight

Francesca mentions rumors of undercover police, prompting Riccardo to store his merchandise at his hotel.

### 12. Reviewing trade show sales results

Francesca and Riccardo talk about booth visitors, comparing window shoppers with actual customer orders.

### 13. Agreeing on sales approach conditions

Francesca encourages Riccardo to actively greet visitors, and he agrees on the condition they review financial projections together.

### 14. Greeting new prospective customers

Francesca and Riccardo agree to cancel stand plans if numbers fail, then prepare to serve arriving customers.