CEFR A1 in Italian: what you can do

A1 is the first rung of the CEFR ladder. At this level you can handle the basics: greeting people, introducing yourself, asking for simple things and understanding short, slow sentences about familiar topics. It is not fluent, but it is real Italian you can use at the bar, in a shop and on a train.

What you can do

• Introduce yourself and others, and ask and answer simple questions about where you live and who you know.
• Use everyday expressions to meet immediate needs, such as ordering a coffee or asking where the station is.
• Understand slow, clear speech, if the other person repeats or rephrases.
• Fill in a simple form with your name, address and nationality.

A quick self-check

You are probably at A1 if you can do most of these:

• Say ciao, buongiorno, per favore and grazie without thinking.
• Say your name, age, nationality and where you live.
• Count to 20 and tell the time on the hour.
• Order un cappuccino e un cornetto at a bar. See at the bar and the caffè.
• Ask Dov'è la stazione? and understand a destra, a sinistra, sempre dritto.

Typical grammar at A1

Gender and articles

Nouns are masculine or feminine, and the article shows it: il libro, la casa, un ragazzo, una ragazza. The article also changes with the first sound of the next word. See articles and prepositions.

Present tense of key verbs

Essere, avere, andare and regular verbs in -are, -ere, -ire cover most of what you need.

Italian speakers often drop the subject pronoun: Parlo italiano is more natural than Io parlo italiano.

Questions and negation

A question is a statement with rising intonation: Parli italiano? To say no, put non before the verb: Non parlo tedesco. Answer sì or no.

Tu and Lei

Italian has an informal and a formal "you". With strangers and older people, use Lei. See tu vs Lei.

Vocabulary themes

• Greetings and polite phrases
• Numbers, days, months and colours
• Family, jobs and nationalities
• Food, drink and the bar
• Places in town and transport

What you may find hard

• Double consonants. Nono and nonno are different words. See Italian pronunciation.
• Gender and agreement. Adjectives and articles change with the noun, so learn each noun with its article.
• Speed. Native speakers talk quickly and blend words together, so listen often.

The exams

The two best-known certificates are the CELI (University for Foreigners of Perugia) and the CILS (University for Foreigners of Siena). The CELI Impatto and the CILS A1 test this level in listening, reading, writing and speaking, and neither expires.

How to practise at this level

Short, frequent practice beats long sessions. Try a phrase page such as introducing yourself, a ten-minute dictation and one translation exercise a day. Then move up to A2.