TIP

Kisses

Did you know? When greeting friends and relatives, Italians usually kiss each other twice, one kiss on each cheek.

Like in English, we say to kiss or to give a kiss, which would be baciare or dare un bacio.

Mio padre bacia mia madre appena ritorna.​
My father kisses my mother as soon as he returns.

Dammi un bacio!
Give me a kiss!

TIP

I need it!

The most common way to say you need something in Italian is avere bisogno di. Because this expression contains avere, be sure you are using the right verb form.

Ho bisogno di una penna.
I need a pen.

Hai bisogno di una vacanza.
You need a vacation.