Make plans in Italian
Learn to invite someone in Italian, propose a time, accept or politely decline, and finalize plans with clear, polite phrases and a model dialogue.
By PookieFriends & plans · Yapr Learn
In this lesson you will learn how to invite someone in Italian, suggest a time, accept or politely decline, and then agree on a plan. We focus on standard contemporary Italian and include regional notes where usage differs. You will practice polite question forms, time expressions, and soft refusals that keep the relationship positive. By the end, you will be able to manage a simple social arrangement from start to finish.
By the end, you can…
- invite someone to do something using a polite question.
- suggest a day and time and respond to a counter-suggestion.
- accept an invitation or decline politely with a reason and an alternative.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Ti va di prendere un caffè?
Do you feel like getting a coffee?
tee vah dee PREN-deh-reh oon KAHF-feh
Informal, very common with friends. Use 'Le va di...' for formal 'you'.
Ti andrebbe di uscire sabato?
Would you like to go out on Saturday?
tee ahn-DREB-beh dee oo-SHEE-reh SAH-bah-toh
Softer, more tentative than 'Ti va di'. Good for a first invitation.
Che ne dici di venerdì alle otto?
How about Friday at eight?
keh neh DEE-chee dee veh-ner-DEE AL-leh OT-toh
Use to suggest a specific day and time. 'Che ne dici' is informal; 'Che ne dice' is formal.
Sì, volentieri!
Yes, gladly! / I'd love to!
see voh-len-TYEH-ree
Warm, natural acceptance. Works in both informal and formal contexts.
Mi dispiace, ma non posso.
I'm sorry, but I can't.
mee dee-SPYAH-cheh mah non POS-soh
Polite refusal. Add a reason and, if possible, an alternative.
Possiamo fare lunedì prossimo?
Can we do next Monday?
pos-SYAH-moh FAH-reh loo-neh-DEE PROS-see-moh
Use to propose a different day after declining. 'Prossimo' follows the day.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To invite or suggest, use 'Ti va di + infinitive' or 'Ti andrebbe di + infinitive' for informal 'you'. Examples: 'Ti va di mangiare una pizza?' (Do you feel like eating a pizza?) and 'Ti andrebbe di venire con noi?' (Would you like to come with us?). For formal 'you', use 'Le va di...' or 'Le andrebbe di...'. To propose a time, use 'Che ne dici di + day + alle + time?' Example: 'Che ne dici di sabato alle sette?' (How about Saturday at seven?). To accept, say 'Sì, volentieri' or 'Sì, mi va'. To decline politely, say 'Mi dispiace, ma non posso' and then offer an alternative with 'Possiamo fare...?' or 'Ti va bene...?'.
When to use it
Use 'Ti va di...' with friends, family, and peers. Use 'Le va di...' with strangers, older people, or in professional settings. 'Ti andrebbe di...' is slightly more tentative and polite, useful when you are not sure the other person is free. When you decline, always soften with 'Mi dispiace' or 'Mi spiace' and give a brief reason: 'Ho già un impegno' (I already have a commitment). Then suggest another time: 'Ti va bene domenica?' (Does Sunday work for you?). 'Ci vediamo' means 'See you' and is used throughout Italy; 'Ci sentiamo' is used when you will call or message rather than meet.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Ciao! Ti va di prendere un caffè insieme?
Hi! Do you feel like getting a coffee together?CHAH-oh tee vah dee PREN-deh-reh oon KAHF-feh een-SYEH-mehCiao! Sì, volentieri. Quando?
Hi! Yes, gladly. When?CHAH-oh see voh-len-TYEH-ree KWAHN-dohChe ne dici di domani alle cinque?
How about tomorrow at five?keh neh DEE-chee dee doh-MAH-nee AL-leh CHEEN-kwehMi dispiace, ma domani non posso. Possiamo fare giovedì?
I'm sorry, but tomorrow I can't. Can we do Thursday?mee dee-SPYAH-cheh mah doh-MAH-nee non POS-soh pos-SYAH-moh FAH-reh joh-veh-DEESì, giovedì va bene. A che ora?
Yes, Thursday works. At what time?see joh-veh-DEE vah BEH-neh ah keh OH-rahAlle sei, davanti al bar in piazza. Ti va bene?
At six, in front of the café in the square. Does that work for you?AL-leh SAY dah-VAHN-tee ahl bar een PYAHT-tsah tee vah BEH-nehA little context goes a long way
In Italy, invitations among friends are often casual and spontaneous. It is normal to decline politely and propose another time; this is not considered rude. When you accept, 'volentieri' sounds warm and sincere. In formal contexts, use 'Le' forms and titles such as 'Signora' or 'Dottore' where appropriate. In some regions, especially in the south, people may be more expressive and insist a little; a friendly 'Grazie, ma proprio non posso' is fine. Punctuality varies: for social meetings, arriving a few minutes late is often acceptable, but for appointments, be on time.
One thing to watch for
Using 'Ti va di...' with a formal 'you' or with someone you have just met in a professional setting.
Try this instead: Use the formal 'Le va di...' or 'Le andrebbe di...' instead. Example: 'Le va di prendere un caffè?' (Would you like to get a coffee?) to a colleague you address formally. Also avoid a bare 'No' when declining; soften it: 'Mi dispiace, ma non posso'.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1Invite a friend to get a pizza using an informal phrase.
Show a sample answer
Ti va di prendere una pizza?
'Ti va di + infinitive' is the standard informal invitation. 'Ti andrebbe di prendere una pizza?' is also correct and slightly softer.
2Suggest Saturday at seven using a question form.
Show a sample answer
Che ne dici di sabato alle sette?
This pattern proposes a day and time. 'Ti va bene sabato alle sette?' is another valid option.
3Politely decline and propose Monday instead.
Show a sample answer
Mi dispiace, ma non posso. Possiamo fare lunedì?
This softens the refusal with 'Mi dispiace' and offers an alternative. 'Ti va bene lunedì?' also works.
Use 'Ti va di...' or 'Le va di...' to invite, 'Che ne dici di...' to suggest a time, 'Sì, volentieri' to accept, and 'Mi dispiace, ma non posso' plus an alternative to decline politely.
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