Practise four Italian replies to thanks: prego, figurati, si figuri and non c'è di che. Figurati uses informal address, while si figuri uses formal address. The recorded examples also show prego inviting someone to go first. Listen for the surrounding words, then rehearse each exchange with the thanks before its reply.
The four replies to grazie
Listen to each reply and repeat it. «Prego.» is a common reply to thanks in both informal and formal interactions. «Figurati.» uses informal tu address, suitable when you already address the person informally. «Si figuri.» uses formal Lei address. «Non c'è di che.» is another polite reply, meaning 'Don't mention it'; it does not specify tu or Lei. Choose the address form for your relationship and setting, rather than age alone.
Hearing the replies inside a real exchange
Now listen to a short exchange. One speaker says «Grazie mille per l'aiuto!», which means thanks a lot for your help. The other speaker answers «Figurati, è stato un piacere.», a friendly reply that adds it was a pleasure. This pair shows how figurati sounds in a warm, informal moment. Listen again and copy the rhythm of both lines. Then swap roles: say the thanking line, pause, and give the reply. The reply in «Figurati, è stato un piacere.» is longer than the single word, so practice it as one smooth phrase following the rhythm of the recording.
When prego means after you
The word prego has a second common use. In the recorded line «Sei molto gentile. Prego, dopo di te.», the speaker first says you're very kind, and then says prego, dopo di te, which means please, after you. Here prego is not a reply to thanks; it is an invitation to go first. The other person answers «Grazie.», simply thank you. So when you hear prego, ask yourself: did someone just thank me, or are we moving through a door or into a room? If someone thanked you, prego means you're welcome. If you are both standing at a doorway, prego means go ahead. The words around it, like dopo di te, tell you which one it is.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
Prego.
You're welcome.
PREH-goh
Figurati.
No problem / Don't mention it.
fee-GOO-rah-tee
Si figuri.
You're welcome (formal).
see FEE-goo-ree
Non c'è di che.
There's no need to thank me / Don't mention it.
non cheh dee keh
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
Grazie mille per l'aiuto!
Thanks a lot for your help!Figurati, è stato un piacere.
No problem, it was a pleasure.Sei molto gentile. Prego, dopo di te.
You're very kind. Please, after you.Grazie.
Thank you.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided exchange: thank and reply
You will play both roles of a short, friendly exchange. Imagine a friend helped you carry something, and now you thank them. Use the recording lines exactly as you hear them.
Your task: First, play the role of the person thanking. Say «Grazie mille per l'aiuto!» out loud. Then pause the audio and play the other role: reply with «Figurati, è stato un piacere.». Repeat the whole exchange three times, keeping the thanks before the reply each time. Keep your voice warm and natural.
Reply comprehension: which answer fits?
Compare the address forms in four recorded replies to thanks. Decide which explicitly uses informal address, which uses formal address, and which does not specify tu or Lei.
Your task: Listen to «Prego.», «Figurati.», «Si figuri.» and «Non c'è di che.». Say which reply uses informal address and which uses formal address. Then repeat all four replies aloud.
Recall with correct roles: thanks or after you?
You will practice the two uses of prego. Imagine two scenes. In the first scene, someone has just thanked you. In the second scene, you and another person arrive at a doorway at the same time.
Your task: In scene one, listen to «Grazie mille per l'aiuto!» and reply with «Prego.». In scene two, listen to «Sei molto gentile. Prego, dopo di te.» and notice that prego here means after you, not you're welcome. Then answer that line with «Grazie.». Say each scene twice, keeping the roles clear in your mind.
Common questions
Is prego always the best reply to grazie?
«Prego.» is a common reply to thanks. «Figurati.» uses informal address and «Si figuri.» uses formal address, so choose between those according to how you address the person. «Non c'è di che.» is another polite option. Tone and context matter; there is no need to rank all four on a single scale of formality.
How do I know when prego means after you instead of you're welcome?
Listen to what happened just before. If someone thanked you, prego means you're welcome. If you are both at a doorway or waiting to go first, prego means please, go ahead. In the recording, the words dopo di te make the after-you meaning clear, and the other person answers with a simple thank you.
Sources and further reading
- italian: responding to thanksChecked September 2026
Practice real time conversations on Yapr for faster learning.
Take today's Italian into a conversation with a Yapr AI tutor. Speak, make mistakes, and try again.
Practice on Yapr