Basic Words

1. Eja

   Yes

   Usage

   The shortest affirmative reply; use it to confirm anything

   Grammar Note

   Written eja in the standard spelling (ei also occurs); local speech varies

2. No

   Usage

   The basic negative reply; also works to decline an offer

   Grammar Note

   Stand-alone answer is no (nono for emphasis). Before a verb it is no before a vowel and non before a consonant (No ando / Non bèngio)

3. Pro praghere

   Please

   Usage

   Add it to any request or order; it also stands alone

   Grammar Note

   "Pro" means "for" and "praghere" means "pleasure"; literally "for pleasure". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

4. Gràtzias

   Thank you

   Usage

   Use it everywhere: after paying, after getting directions

   Grammar Note

   The stress falls on the first syllable (counted as gra-tzi-as), so it carries a grave accent: gràtzias. Add meda after it to say "thanks a lot" (Gràtzias meda)

5. Iscusade

   Excuse me

   Usage

   The opening word when you need a stranger's attention

   Grammar Note

   The imperative of iscusare (to excuse) in the bois form, used for politeness. With a friend use iscusa. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

6. Mi dispraghet

   Sorry

   Usage

   An apology after bumping into someone or making a mistake

   Grammar Note

   "Dispraghet" is the third-person singular of "to displease"; literally "it displeases me". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

7. Est bene

   It's OK / I'm fine

   Usage

   Reply to an apology, or politely wave off offered help

   Grammar Note

   Covers "that is fine" and "OK, agreed". "Est" is the third person of èssere. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

8. Non cumprendo

   I don't understand

   Usage

   Say it as soon as you lose the thread; people will rephrase

   Grammar Note

   Non (not no) is used before a consonant. Cumprèndere is regular; the first person is cumprendo. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

9. Cumprendo

   I understand

   Usage

   Confirms you followed an explanation

   Grammar Note

   First person singular of cumprèndere (to understand). The subject pronoun deo is normally dropped. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

10. Apo finidu

    I'm finished / Done

    Usage

    Tell staff you have finished a meal or a procedure

    Grammar Note

    The perfect is àere (apo, as, at…) plus the participle; the participle of finire is finidu. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

11. Isetade, pro praghere

    Please wait

    Usage

    Use it when you need the other person to hold on

    Grammar Note

    "Isetade" is the bois imperative of isetare (to wait); with friends say "iseta". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

12. Unu momentu

    Just a moment

    Usage

    A shorter, lighter version for a very brief pause

    Grammar Note

    "Momentu" is masculine, hence "unu". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

13. Unu adultu, pro praghere

    One adult, please

    Usage

    Say it at a ticket window or an entrance gate

    Grammar Note

    A woman can say "una adulta", but the masculine form works at a ticket window. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

14. Un'àtera borta, pro praghere

    Once more, please

    Usage

    Ask someone to repeat what you missed

    Grammar Note

    "Borta" is feminine, so "un'àtera"; "una" elides to "un'" before a vowel. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

15. Faeddade in manera lenta, pro praghere

    Please speak slowly

    Usage

    When the speech is too fast; people almost always oblige

    Grammar Note

    "Faeddade" is the bois imperative of faeddare (to speak). "Slowly" is rendered as "in manera lenta" (in a slow manner). Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

16. Faeddo unu pagu de sardu

    I speak a little Sardinian

    Usage

    Saying it early makes the other person slow down

    Grammar Note

    First person of faeddare is faeddo. "A little" is unu pagu de plus the noun. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

17. Faeddades inglesu?

    Do you speak English?

    Usage

    Your fallback when you get stuck; ask with the polite pronoun

    Grammar Note

    "Faeddades" is the bois (second-person plural) form, also used as a polite singular. The subject is dropped; rising tone makes it a question. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

18. Custu

    This

    Usage

    For something near you; cussu is for something nearer the listener, cuddu for something far away

    Grammar Note

    Demonstratives have three degrees: custu / cussu / cuddu. For a feminine noun the form is custa

19. Cussu

    That

    Usage

    For something near the listener; use cuddu for anything further away

    Grammar Note

    Three degrees: custu (this), cussu (that), cuddu (that over there). For a feminine noun the form is cussa

20. Inoghe

    Here

    Usage

    The place where you are

    Grammar Note

    "Here" is inoghe; "there" is cue and a far place is cuddae

21. Cue

    There

    Usage

    A place near the listener or a little way off; pair it with a pointing gesture

    Grammar Note

    "Cue" means "there"; for a place further off use cuddae

22. Deo

    I / me

    Usage

    Point at yourself to make clear who you are talking about

    Grammar Note

    The subject pronoun is used only for emphasis; it is normally dropped

23. Bois

    You (polite)

    Usage

    The polite "you" for strangers; the verb takes its plural form

    Grammar Note

    "Bois" is properly "you (plural)" but doubles as a polite singular. With friends use tue. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

24. Impare

    Together

    Usage

    Show that you are with someone or want to do something jointly

    Grammar Note

    "Together" is impare; paris is used in the same sense

25. Luego

    Right now

    Usage

    Signals that something is urgent

    Grammar Note

    "Luego" means "at once"; in some contexts it also means "then". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

26. Una persone

    One person

    Usage

    Give your party size at a restaurant or ticket window

    Grammar Note

    "Persone" is feminine, hence "una"; the plural is "persones". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

27. Duas persones

    Two people

    Usage

    Give your party size at a restaurant or ticket window

    Grammar Note

    The numeral duos / duas agrees in gender; "persones" is feminine, so "duas". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

28. Tres persones

    Three people

    Usage

    Give your party size at a restaurant or ticket window

    Grammar Note

    "Tres" is the same for both genders; plural nouns end in -s. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

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