You’ve just held the door open for the most gorgeous Italian you’ve ever seen. They’ve said grazie while staring straight into your eyes. . . uh oh NOW WHAT? How do you answer thank you in Italian?
Stay tuned to learn how to say you’re welcome in Italian with ease and flair, so you won’t be left standing there holding the door. We’ll explain prego, as well as arm you with over 15 other ways to answer when someone says grazie, such as di niente, and non c’è problema, along with the correct pronunciation.
There’s a handy chart for keeping straight which phrases are informal, formal and plural. Sample dialogues will show you how to use the phrases in day-to-day conversations and situations.
You can also listen to “Prego”, the Italian version of the song “You’re Welcome” from the Disney film Moana.
In case you’d like to tell someone you’re welcome here, or you’re welcome to my house, for example, you’ll find all about sei il benvenuto, benvenuto, and how to use the correct form.
Table of Contents
HOW TO RESPOND TO GRAZIE IN ITALIAN
PREGO
Prego is the easiest and most common way to say you’re welcome in Italian, even though to most Americans the word is synonymous with jarred pasta sauce. It is versatile and works in both informal and formal situations.
The direct translation of prego is I pray, from the Italian verb pregare. In this context, it may not seem to make much sense, but then try explaining you’re welcome to a non-English speaker.
For other ways to use it, read our article about the meaning of prego (coming soon!)
The pronunciation of prego is: PREH-goh
Listen to how to pronounce prego here:
DI NIENTE/DI NULLA
Di niente and di nulla have the same meaning, and can be used interchangeably. In this context, they both mean it’s nothing and are used like you’re welcome, or don’t mention it. You will hear this phrase often, in both informal and formal settings.
The pronunciation of di niente and di nulla is: dee nee-EHN-teh and dee NOO-lah
Listen to how to pronounce di niente and di nulla here:
NON C’È PROBLEMA/NESSUN PROBLEMA
These two similar phrases use the word problema, which means problem, and are alternative ways to say you’re welcome in Italian.
Non c’è problema means there’s no problem, or it’s not a problem. The translation of nessun problema is no problem. You can use either one in informal or formal situations.
Attenzione! Though you may hear people say no problema, it is incorrect and a fairly common mistake that English speakers make!
The pronunciation of non c’è problema and nessun problema is: non cheh proh-BLEH-mah and neh-SOON proh-BLEH-mah
Listen to how to pronounce non c’è problema and nessun problema here:
CI MANCHEREBBE
Ci mancherebbe is difficult to translate into a neat English phrase. It’s another way to say you’re welcome, and essentially means but of course, or it couldn’t be otherwise. It comes from the verb mancare, to miss.
It is common to add ma (but) before it, and/or altro (other) to the end. For example: ma ci mancherebbe, ci mancherebbe altro and ma ci mancherebbe altro.
They are all phrases that can be used in both informal and formal situations.
The pronunciation of ci mancherebbe is: chee mahn-kehr-EH-beh
Listen to how to pronounce ci mancherebbe here:
NON C’È DI CHE/NIENTE DI CHE/DI CHE?/MACCHÉ
These common ways of saying you’re welcome all use the word che (what). They are all appropriate for informal and formal settings.
Non c’è di che and niente di che mean it’s nothing at all.
Di che? means for what?
Macché is similar to not at all, or on the contrary
The pronunciation of non c’è di che, niente di che, di che? and macché is: nohn cheh dee keh, nee-EHN-teh dee keh, dee keh and mah-KEH
Listen to how to pronounce non c’è di che, niente di che, di che? and macché here:
FIGURATI
These are different forms of a very common expression that’s also difficult to translate literally. Figurati means of course or don’t mention it, and comes from the verb figurarsi (imagine). Make sure you use the correct form depending on who you are talking to.
Figurati is the informal form, if you are talking to someone you know well.
Si figuri is the formal form, for formal settings and relationships.
Figuriamoci is the “we” form, and can be used in both informal and formal situations.
The pronunciation of figurati, si figuri and figuriamoci is: fee-GOO-rah-tee, see fee-GOO-ree and fee-goo-ree-AH-moh-chee
Listen to how to pronounce figurati, si figuri and figuriamoci here:
CON PIACERE/È UN PIACERE/È STATO UN PIACERE
These three expressions all use the word piacere (pleasure). They are versatile because they can be used in both informal and formal settings, and are interchangeable.
Con piacere means with pleasure
È un piacere means it’s a pleasure
È stato un piacere means it was a pleasure
The pronunciation of con piacere, è un piacere and è stato un piacere is: kohn pee-ah-CHEH-reh, eh oon pee-ah-CHEH-reh, and eh STAH-toh oon pee-ah-CHEH-reh
Listen to how to pronounce con piacere, è un piacere and è stato un piacere here:
SONO FELICE DI AIUTARE
The translation of sono felice di aiutare is I’m happy to help. This is another versatile phrase that can be used in both informal and formal settings.
The pronunciation of sono felice di aiutare is: SOH-noh feh-LEE-cheh dee ah-ee-oo-TAH-reh
Listen to how to pronounce sono felice di aiutare here:
QUANDO VUOI
If you’d like to say you’re welcome by stressing that you’re willing to help again, use the phrase quando vuoi, which is like saying anytime. The direct translation is whenever you wish.
Quando vuoi is the informal form, for speaking to friends, family, and people you know well
Quando vuole is the formal form, for speaking to people you don’t know, and to show respect
Quando volete is the plural form, for speaking to more than one person
The pronunciation of quando vuoi, quando vuole and quando volete is: KWAHN-doh voo-OH-ee, KWAHN-doh voo-OH-leh and KWAHN-doh voh-LEH-teh
Listen to how to pronounce quando vuoi, quando vuole and quando volete here:
NON TI PREOCCUPARE
To say don’t worry, use the phrase non ti preoccupare. The correct form to use depends on who you are speaking to.
Non ti preoccupare is informal form
Non si preoccupi is the formal form
Non vi preoccupate is the plural form
The pronunciation of non ti preoccupare, non si preoccupi and non vi preoccupate is: nohn tee preh-oh-koo-PAH-reh, nohn see preh-OH-koo-pee and nohn vee preh-oh-koo-PAH-teh
Listen to how to pronounce non ti preoccupare, non si preoccupi and non vi preoccupate here:
GRAZIE A TE
If you’d like to say thank you back to someone who has thanked you, reply with grazie a te, which means thank you.
Grazie a te is the informal form
Grazie a lei is the formal form
Grazie a voi is the plural form
Make sure you stress the word for you, which is either te, lei or voi depending which form you are using.
The pronunciation of grazie a te, grazie a lei, and grazie a voi is: GRAH-tsee-eh ah teh, GRAH-tsee-eh ah LEH-ee, and GRAH-tsee-eh ah VOH-ee
Listen to how to pronounce grazie a te, grazie a lei, and grazie a voi here:
È IL MINIMO
È il minimo che potessi fare means It’s the least I could do. However, people will understand that’s what you mean if you stick to the point and just say è il minimo (it’s the least), which is easier and more widely used. You can use it in both informal and formal situations.
The pronunciation of è il minimo is: eh eel MEE-nee-moh
Listen to how to pronounce è il minimo here:
CHE VUOI CHE SIA
This is an idiomatic way of saying you’re welcome which loosely translates to it’s no big deal, or it’s nothing. If said kindly, che vuoi che sia is a way to graciously minimize what you’ve done to help, like don’t be silly, it’s no big deal. If said too forcefully it can seem like you are lightly making fun of the person who thanked you.
Che vuoi che sia is the informal form
Che vuole che sia is the formal form
The pronunciation of che vuoi che sia and che vuole che sia is: keh voo-OH-ee keh SEE-ah and keh voo-OH-leh keh SEE-ah
Listen to how to pronounce che vuoi che sia and che vuole che sia here:
MA TI PARE?
This way of saying you’re welcome comes from the verb parere, which means to seem. Ma ti pare? is an idiomatic expression that loosely means “nothing at all”. Again, the way you say this phrase can greatly affect how it is received. Ma ti pare? is a way of brushing off the person who’s thanking you, whether sweetly or with a little scoff.
Ma ti pare? is the informal form
Ma le pare? is the formal form
The pronunciation of ma ti pare? and ma le pare? is: mah tee PAH-re and mah leh PAH-reh
Listen to how to pronounce ma ti pare? and ma le pare? here:
MA CHE SCHERZI?
Another way to play things down when someone thanks you is to say ma che scherzi? or ma stai scherzando? Both phrases mean are you joking? They are informal, because if you use them nicely with a smile you are saying you’re welcome, but if you use them too forcefully you seem to be putting down the person who thanked you.
Ma che scherzi? and ma stai scherzando? are the informal forms
Ma che scherzate? and ma state scherzando? are the plural forms, to use with good friends or family
The pronunciation of ma che scherzi? and ma che scherzate? is: mah keh SKEHR-tsee and mah keh skehr-TSAH-teh
Listen to how to pronounce ma che scherzi? and ma che scherzate? here:
The pronunciation of ma stai scherzando? and ma state scherzando? is: mah STAH-ee skehr-TSAHN-doh and mah STAH-teh skehr-TSAHN-doh
Listen to how to pronounce ma stai scherzando? and ma state scherzando? here:
YOU’RE WELCOME FOR THIS REFERENCE CHART
Here’s a chart to keep track of the informal and formal ways of how to say you’re welcome in Italian:
| Prego | You’re welcome | Informal and formal |
| Di niente | It’s nothing, don’t mention it | Informal and formal |
| Di nulla | It’s nothing, don’t mention it | Informal and formal |
| Non c’è problema | It’s not problem | Informal and formal |
| Nessun problema | No problem | Informal and formal |
| Ci mancherebbe | You’re welcome/but of course | Informal and formal |
| Non c’è di che | It’s nothing at all | Informal and formal |
| Niente di che | It’s nothing at all | Informal and formal |
| Di che? | For what? | Informal and formal |
| Macchè | Not at all, on the contrary | Informal and formal |
| Figurati | Of course, don’t mention it | Informal singular |
| Si figuri | Of course, don’t mention it | Formal singular |
| Figuriamoci | Of course, don’t mention it | Plural |
| Con piacere | With pleasure | Informal and formal |
| È un piacere | It’s a pleasure | Informal and formal |
| È stato un piacere | It was a pleasure | Informal and formal |
| Sono felice di aiutare | I’m happy to help | Informal and formal |
| Quando vuoi | Anytime, whenever you wish | Informal singular |
| Quando vuole | Anytime, whenever you wish | Formal singular |
| Quando volete | Anytime, whenever you wish | Plural |
| Non ti preoccupare | Don’t worry | Informal singular |
| Non si preoccupi | Don’t worry | Formal singular |
| Non vi preoccupate | Don’t worry | Plural |
| Grazie a te | Thank you | Informal singular |
| Grazie a lei | Thank you | Formal singular |
| Grazie a voi | Thank you | Plural |
| È il minimo | It’s the least (I could do) | Informal and formal |
| Che vuoi che sia | Don’t be silly, it’s nothing | Informal singular |
| Che vuole che sia | Don’t be silly, it’s nothing | Formal singular |
| Ma ti pare? | Nothing at all | Informal singular |
| Ma le pare? | Nothing at all | Formal singular |
| Ma che scherzi? | Are you joking? | Informal singular |
| Ma che stai scherzando? | Are you joking? | Informal singular |
| Ma che scherzate? | Are you joking? | Plural (Informal) |
| Ma che state scherzando? | Are you joking? | Plural (Informal) |
USING YOU’RE WELCOME IN CONVERSATION
Now that we’ve gone over many ways to say you’re welcome, let’s learn how to use them. Often, Italians will use more than one at a time to respond to grazie, or thank you. Here are some examples:
Carolina: Ciao Lucia! Grazie per aver dato un passaggio a Pietro! Hi Lucia! Thanks for giving Pietro a ride this morning!
Lucia: Prego! Ci mancherebbe. You’re welcome! But of course.
Madre: Potresti portare questa borsa alla macchina per favore? Could you carry this bag to the car please
Francesco: Certo mamma. Of course Mom.
Madre: Grazie mille caro mio. A thousand thanks my dear.
Francesco: Figurati! Non c’è di che. Of course! It’s nothing at all.
A: Mi scusi Signora, sa che ore sono? Excuse me ma’am, do you know what time it is?
B: Sono le undici. It’s eleven o’clock.
A: Grazie! Thank you!
B: Di niente. Don’t mention it.
Customer in a bar: Un cappuccino per favore. A cappuccino, please.
Barista: Un euro e trenta. One euro thirty.
Customer: Eccoli. Here it is.
Barista. Grazie, ecco il suo resto. Thank you, here’s your change.
Customer: Grazie. Thank you.
Barista: Prego, grazie a lei. Arrivederci! You’re welcome, thank you. Goodbye!
YOU’RE WELCOME AT THE MOVIES: MOANA
Fans of the Disney film Moana know every word of the song “You’re Welcome”, sung by Dwayne Johnson. Here is the Italian version of the song: “Prego” sung by Sergio Sylvestre and Rocco Hunt.
The Italian version of Moana is called Oceania, and the main character’s name is Vaiana. It is rumored that Disney made the changes because Moana is also the name of a famous 1980s Italian adult film star, Moana Pozzi.
HOW TO SAY YOU’RE WELCOME (HERE)
In English we also use you’re welcome to greet guests and receive them amicably, for example at your house, party or other location. Here’s how to express this alternate meaning of you’re welcome in Italian and make your guests feel wanted and appreciated.
SEI IL BENVENUTO!
If you wish to tell someone they are welcome at your house, or at a party for example, the correct informal phrase for you’re welcome is sei il benvenuto! if you are speaking to a man. Bene means well and venuto means came, so benvenuto is like saying well come.
The correct phrase to use depends on whether you’re speaking to a man or a woman, and whether you have a formal relationship with them. The phrase also changes if you are speaking to a group.
Use:
Sei il benvenuto when addressing a man (informal)
Sei la benvenuta when addressing a woman (informal)
È il benvenuto when addressing a man (formal)
È la benvenuta when addressing a woman (formal)
Siete i benvenuti when addressing a group with at least one man
Siete le benvenute when addressing a group of women
For example:
Anna: Grazie per l’invito alla festa. Thank you for inviting me to the party.
Riccardo: Figurati, sei la benvenuta! Of course, you’re welcome!
BENVENUTO!
When someone is entering your house, you can simply say welcome! In Italian the correct word depends if you are speaking to a woman, a man, or a group. Use:
Benvenuto! When addressing a man
Benvenuta! When addressing a woman
Benvenuti! when addressing a group with at least one man
Benvenute! when addressing a group of women
For example:
(To a group of friends containing at least one man): Benvenuti a casa mia! Welcome to my house!
Now you know how to say you’re welcome in Italian!
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