# Lesson 1: Come ti chiami?

**Language:** Italian  
**CEFR Level:** A1  

> Embark on your Italian journey with essential greetings, simple introductions, and pronunciation basics. Practice listening and speaking confidently in real-life contexts.

**Setting:** A sunny piazza in Rome, Italy. Giulia, a local student, runs into Mark, an American newcomer, starting an authentic dialogue about daily life, spelling, and Italian culture.

## Lessons

### 1. Welcome and informal introductions

Giulia meets Mark in a lively café and introduces herself. Learn how to say hello and ask someone's name informally.

**Vocabulary:**
- Ciao (Hi / Bye)
- Buongiorno (Good morning / Hello)
- Come ti chiami? (What is your name? - Informal)
- Mi chiamo... (My name is...)
- Io (I)
- Tu (You - Informal)

**Objectives:**
- Greet someone informally
- Introduce yourself
- Ask for someone's name informally

### 2. Polite greetings and respect

Mark practices speaking with a local shopkeeper. Discover how to use formal addresses and polite phrases.

**Vocabulary:**
- Buonasera (Good evening)
- Salve (Hello - Neutral / Formal)
- Come si chiama? (What is your name? - Formal)
- E Lei? (And you? - Formal)
- Piacere! (Nice to meet you!)
- Scusi (Excuse me - Formal)

**Objectives:**
- Greet people formally during the day and evening
- Ask for a name using polite address
- Express pleasure upon meeting someone

### 3. Parting ways and wishes

As the sun sets over Rome, Giulia and Mark say goodbye. Learn several ways to take your leave depending on when you will meet again.

**Vocabulary:**
- Buonanotte (Good night)
- Arrivederci (Goodbye)
- Ci vediamo (See you)
- Buona giornata (Have a good day)
- A presto (See you soon)
- A domani (See you tomorrow)

**Objectives:**
- Wish someone a good night or a good day
- Say goodbye in formal and informal situations
- Promise to see someone tomorrow or soon

### 4. Who you are

Mark and Giulia share where they come from and what they do. Practice declaring your nationality and profession.

**Vocabulary:**
- Io sono... (I am...)
- l'italiano / l'italiana (Italian)
- l'americano / l'americana (American)
- lo studente / la studentessa (the student)
- la professoressa (the professor - female)
- Lui / Lei (He / She / You - Formal)

**Objectives:**
- State your nationality
- Talk about your job or study status
- Refer to others using third-person pronouns

### 5. Yes, no, and negatives

Mark and Giulia discuss what they are not. Master simple negation and interactive questioning to keep a chat going.

**Vocabulary:**
- Sì (Yes)
- No (No)
- Non (Not)
- E tu? / E tu sei? (And you? / And you are? - Informal)
- la frase negativa (the negative sentence)

**Objectives:**
- Confirm or deny statements with simple yes/no answers
- Formulate a basic negative sentence in Italian
- Keep the conversation flowing by asking 'And you?'

### 6. Spelling and the alphabet

Giulia helps Mark spell his name at the local library entrance. Dive into the letters of the Italian alphabet.

**Vocabulary:**
- l'alfabeto (the alphabet)
- Come si scrive? (How do you write/spell it?)
- la lettera (the letter)
- l'acca (H - silent letter)
- la zeta (Z)
- la doppia vu (W)

**Objectives:**
- Ask how to spell names and words
- Recognize and pronounce letters of the Italian alphabet
- Identify specific foreign or challenging letters

### 7. Clarification in the classroom

Mark practices slow speech during an interactive lesson. Learn how to ask for repetition and express formal gratitude.

**Vocabulary:**
- Puoi ripetere? (Can you repeat? - Informal)
- Più lentamente, per favore (More slowly, please)
- Piacere di conoscerla! (Pleasure to meet you! - Formal)
- Piacere mio! (My pleasure!)
- il soggetto sottinteso (the implied subject)

**Objectives:**
- Ask a conversational partner to repeat themselves
- Request that someone speak more slowly
- Understand how subject pronouns can be left unsaid in Italian