Traveler's Italian Dictionary: English-Italian/Italian-English (Cortina Dictionary)

Book Description

For businesspeople, students, travelers-- perfect for anyone who wants to quickly find a word, its pronunciation and use. This "pocket pal" can be used equally well by beginners or by those who already have a good working knowledge of the language.Over 11,000 entries (5000+ Italian/English, 5000+ English/Italian). Pronunciation accompanies Italian words on both sides, along with helpful usage information.Pronunciation Guide explains the sounds of Italian, how to produce and combine them-- takes the mystery out of developing a good accent!Concise Italian Grammar for a quick overview or specific explanations; sections include nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, sentence formation, etc., plus verb tables for instant look-ups.Phrases for Use Abroad gives you the right thing to say (and how to pronounce it) in a number of everyday situations.Menu Reader, complete with pronunciation, ensures you'll never be surprised by what you order!

Customer Reviews:

Best Italian Pocket Dictionary.......2004-01-22

This is best Italian pocket dictionary for the traveler. It actually has the pronunciations of the Italian words (what a novel idea). It's verb summary is adequate and it includes the helping verbs (avere and essere) at the front of the list, where they can be quickly found (unlike the Berlitz dictionary where they are buried in with all the other verbs. It's shortcomings are that it includes fewer expressions and not as many entries at the Berlitz, but it's smaller and lighter. Go with this one for travel, especially if you're new to Italian.

LL Traveltalk: Italian (Fodor's Languages for Travelers (Book Only))

Average customer rating:

LL Traveltalk: Italian (Fodor's Languages for Travelers (Book Only))
Marco Ciolli
Manufacturer: Living Language
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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Italian at a Glance: Phrase Book & Dictionary for Travelers (Barron's Languages at a Glance)

Average customer rating:

Inadequate phrase book for actual communication
Buy an Italian/English dictionary instead!
Comparing the Berlitz and Barron's Phrase Books
Take this with you
A Solid Phrasebook

Italian at a Glance: Phrase Book & Dictionary for Travelers (Barron's Languages at a Glance)
Mario Costantino , and Heywood Wald
Manufacturer: Barrons Educational Series Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0812013964

Book Description

A bilingual phrasebook and dictionary for international travelers, with more than 1,500 expressions for getting around in hotels, airports, train stations, restaurants, and other locations. Books have sturdy clear vinyl covers to keep them protected while they're carried around during travels.

Customer Reviews:

Inadequate phrase book for actual communication.......2006-03-22

What to make of a phrase book that lists many ways to complain, but none to compliment? Or that lists translations of food names and descriptions of many of the foods and dishes of Italy but, when you want to praise or thank the chef or your host, you find that the word "delicious" is not in this book?

I tried to use this book as a resource while traveling through Italy this month and was, more often than not, frustrated and annoyed by its deficits. On the bright side my phrases lifted from this book occasionally provoked peals of laughter from my Italian cohorts - breaking the ice nicely.

If you stay at a hotel, inn, or private home and want to tell your host that you enjoyed your stay, this book will not tell you how. The dictionary sometimes contradicts the text, which occasionally provoked blank stares. Is the WC a "gabinetto" or a "bagno"? You won't learn the difference in this book.

The sections on dating, meeting, quiet relaxation, sports, and more do not tell you how to thank your new friends for a good time, or any other niceties of social life. There's no way to extend invitations, either.

I mailed a package home from Italy and tried to use this book to communicate my specific wishes in a Sicilian post office - in vain.

Avoid this one. Sure, it's a handy size and has a great vinyl cover but it won't help you nearly enough when you travel to Italy.

Buy an Italian/English dictionary instead!.......2005-09-19

I just got back from a week in Rome, and instead of a phrase book, I would recommend buying a compact Italian/English dictionary and then making a list of key phrases (using this dictionary or an online one) and putting them on a Post-It inside the dictionary. There were only a few times during the 8 days I was in Rome that I actually wanted a phrase; instead, what I mostly needed were basic words (esp. when trying to decipher menus), and the dictionary at the back of this book was useless; 90 percent of the words I looked up (in restaurants, at museums, in general conversation, etc.) were not in there. And when my ATM card was stolen and I had to communicate with the police and the bank manager, this book was of no help whatsoever. This is an OK book as phrase dictionaries go, but again, I think what you'll mostly find yourself wanting is a regular dictionary.

Comparing the Berlitz and Barron's Phrase Books.......2005-04-10

I bought both the Berlitz and Barron's phrase books. This review is a comparison of the two.

They are both small enough to fit in a pocket. The Berlitz is 220 pages, the Barron's 320 pages -- the Barron's is marginally thicker. The Berlitz page seems slightly denser, with more lines per page, although I believe the font sizes used are almost identical (Berlitz sans serif (Arial-like), Barron's serif (Roman-like). The Barron's comes with a plastic cover which seems durable. Both are sorted into sections, for example, travel, eating out, etc. Berlitz has a 12 page menu reader. The Barron's covers a little more in 26 pages, including a guide to regional specialties. Barron's has a 47 page Italian-English and English-Italian dictionary. Berlitz is about the same. Both show Italian pronunciations in a phonentically English spelling. Barron's has a larger section on Italian grammar. Both have a good table of contents; only Barron's has an index as well. One small complaint with the copy of the Berlitz I received -- the print flows into the gutter (the spine of the book) too far, so that one has to really bend open the book to read the entire line. I think this will make the book fall apart sooner. One small complaint with the Barron's -- in a few cases they print black font on a dark color background for page headings (e.g., "Telling Time," "Months of the Year") which makes the headings difficult to read.

They are very comparable and both will do the job. Both can server not only as a travel guide, but also as a vocabulary builder for an Italian class. My overall impression is that the Barron's is marginally better.

Take this with you.......2004-11-15

It's really difficult to put together a phrase book in Italian that will serve everyone's needs. This one is excellent, but the dictionary section needs to be expanded just a little more; and it won't really add to the bulk of this already tiny book. This is one of the language books you should take with you to Italy.

A Solid Phrasebook.......2004-09-01

Let's face it. Phrasebooks are for survival, not for mastering a language during a one week stay, and this pocket size book has served me well. I've been to Italy several times, and, contrary to common belief, not many Italians speak English, particularly in the smaller cities. A phrasebook is a must, and I haven't found one better than the Barron's. It covers emergencies, driving, eating out, sightseeing, clothing, entertaining, shopping, banking, and many more topics. The dictionary in the back covers basic words to assist in communication. The pronunciation guide is first-rate; people were actually able to understand me when I tried the phrases. (Of course, I rarely understood them!)

I particularly appreciated the plastic cover, as my book survived thunderstorms and acted as a coaster at least once. People who already know a romance language will find it easier to pick up these phrases, but anyone with the determination to navigate a foreign country will find it helpful.

Fodor's Italian for Travelers (Phrase Book) (Fodor's Languages/Travelers)

Average customer rating:

Good, this aged version slightly outdated
Not for the beginner.
Definitely not a stand-alone tool
CDs are poorly organized.
Travel with ease

Fodor's Italian for Travelers (Phrase Book) (Fodor's Languages/Travelers)
Fodor's
Manufacturer: Living Language
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0679034110
Release Date: 1997-04-15

Book Description

·More than 3,800 essential Italian words and phrases to see you through almost any situation you will encounter as a tourist
·From arrival to departure, expressions for dining out, asking directions, socializing, and more
·Accurate, easy-to-use phonetics that will help you speak like a native
·Maps, grammar summary, conversion charts, and tipping basics
· From the most respected names in travel and language instruction.

Customer Reviews:

Good, this aged version slightly outdated.......2007-05-24

Used this book extensively during 2 week sojourn in Italy. Very helpful, but as this edition was several years old, some vocabulary (particularly internet, phone) out of date. Other than that content was excellent, well organized and easily usable. Good Italian to English and vice versa dictionary in back of book. Would recommend getting same book in more recent publication if availble.

Not for the beginner........2005-06-02

This book is not for someone who just wants to pick up enough Italian to get them through a trip unless they have a good ear and memory. I found "Italian in 10 Minutes a Day" much better as you must write what you learn in a workbook.

Definitely not a stand-alone tool.......2004-04-29

I strongly agreed with the reviewers who described the Fodor's CD as poorly organized, too quickly spoken, and not terribly useful. In some instances they stated the English term and then followed it with the Italian; in others they stated the Italian term first. Because there was no warning about the switch, if you're not on your toes you may find yourself repeating the wrong Italian term for the English word you believe you are translating.

The dialogues, while spoken at natural speed) are often not translated into English on the CD. You can go to the book to read the translation, but if you're using the CDs in traffic as I did, that's impossible. The CD ended so abruptly I thought perhaps my player had failed. All in all, it seemed as though the DC was designed and produced rapidly and without much thought.

The book and CD are a great combination when your goal is to learn specific vocabulary and then hear the pronunciation of those specific key words. What I learned on the first CD - particularly numbers, dates, and times - was extremely helpful during my trip to Italy. (Although I have to admit that I listened to these sections of the CD repeatedly because I knew they would be essential.) But the CD would be a much stronger tool if it were consistently organized and included translations of the dialogues.

When I had time to work on the language before my trip to Florence, I often put the Fodors CDs aside in lieu of the Michel Thomas "Speak Italian" CDs, which were also a two-CD set, but taught me the basics language rather than memorized phrases. Using Michel Thomas, I was able to construct my own, fairly complex sentences in Italy by simply looking up one or two additional vocabulary words.

In terms of a phrase book, I preferred Rick Steve's. Steve's contained more practical phrases and information - some downright amusing - and it fit better in my pocket during the trip.

CDs are poorly organized........2003-10-27

I paid full price for this set because I'm planning a trip to Italy. The book isn't bad but the CDs are pretty terrible. They have boring drills on numbers and vocabulary. Not at all interactive. The phrases are read in Italian and then English, but sometimes in English and then Italian without warning. Since I know no Italian, I had a hard time knowing which English word went with which Italian word (and since I was listening in my car, I couldn't check the book while driving to find out). All in all this is a pretty poor set of language tapes, and it's way overpriced. I'm sure one can do better.

Travel with ease.......2002-04-10

I bought the "Italian for Dummies" and this dictionary together. They complemented each other well. If you are planning on doing some traveling for a short period of time, this is more than enough for you. Even those who want to start studying seriously will benefit greatly.

However, I should warn you that in both Rome and Venice, while on vacation, usually I would try to speak Italian only to be responded to in fluent English. You definitely do not need to know Italian in Venice. It you are only going to the tourist spots, you might not need it much.

Amazon.com

If, upon being confronted with a menu in a foreign language, you've ever ordered yak's brains when you thought you were getting lamb chops, The Hungry Traveler series is for you. These handy, pocket-sized little culinary phrasebooks take the guesswork out of mealtimes. Italy: The Hungry Traveler does more than simply translate menu items; it also gives in-depth descriptions of local and regional specialties, suggests which beverages go best with different dishes, and provides essential information about shopping in grocery stores and markets. Best of all, if you don't already know the local name for what you're looking for, you can look it up in English.

Customer Reviews:

A little book about nothing.......2001-12-02

This book is poorly printed. It is done on the inexpensive side with very cheap paper. Thus, when you try to really open the book you break the spine.
The printing is very close together and very difficult to read.
The information is crowded together. Not a book for the Hungry Traveler.

Italian words for Italian food.......2001-02-12

Italy has a lot of variety in its regional cuisines and language dialects. And that affects the design of this guide.

There's an 85-page menu primer of food terms used in Italian restaurants, pretty much all over Italy. There's also a short section on comfort foods and another on beverages. And there's a special 96-page section of words describing regional and seasonal food specialties.

Book Description

Up-to-date in content, beautifully illustrated with color photos, packed with bilingual lists of vital words and phrases, and overflowing with helpful travel advice, this book is a perfect take-along for both business and vacation travelers to Italy. Page edges are color-tipped—a different color for each section—so that on-the-go travelers can refer to any one of 17 separate general topics and find the information they're looking for in a hurry. Color-coded topics include:

Culture and customs

Making travel arrangements in Italian

Words and phrases for telling time, days of the week, seasons, and colors

Getting around in Italy via public transit, driving, or bicycling

Food and dining

Cultural sites, such as museums, theaters, and sports arenas

Many others

A substantial red-coded section in this book is devoted to vocabulary. It gives travelers a bilingual dictionary in two sections—from Italian to English and from English to Italian. Small enough for easy packing with travel luggage, and featuring a clear, vinyl jacket that will stand up to the wear and tear of many journeys, this book is both practical and good-looking. Titles in Barron's Traveler's Language Guides series are available for seven different languages and countries.

Customer Reviews:

Best of the Travel Phrase Books.......2007-07-05

I teach an "Italian for Travel" class and picked this as our required book. I've looked through all the phrase books and think this is the best organized and most comprehensive one on the market while still being quite small and easily portable. The pages are coated and the cover is plastic protected, which makes it excellent for ordering meals and taking in a backpack. The illustrations are especially helpful (like the illustrated car with all the parts labeled) as are the cultural tips. The "sign language" guide is a little silly (please don't use their "I don't care" gesture as it is very rude), and a few expressions are not widely used or current, but overall it is quite excellent. The grammar guide in the back is also helpful and pretty user-friendly.

Fodor's German for Travelers (Phrase Book) (Fodor's Languages for Travelers)

Average customer rating:

Useful phrasebook
Perfect for travelers
Excellent
good for please and thankyou

Fodor's German for Travelers (Phrase Book) (Fodor's Languages for Travelers)
Fodor's
Manufacturer: Living Language
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Berlitz Rush Hour German (Berlitz Rush Hour)

Accessories:

Franklin TRE-400 Seven Language European Translator/Dictionary

ASIN: 0679034137
Release Date: 1997-04-15

Book Description

From the Most Respected Names in Travel and Language Instruction

Fodor's German for Travelers makes it easy to speak and understand German, even if you've never studied it before. And it's all backed by the experience of Fodor's, the most trusted name in travel, and Living Language, publishers of best-selling language courses for more than half a century.

•2,200 words and phrases

•A 1,600-word two-way dictionary

• Speak German right away -- Just read straight from the book. Accurate, easy to use phonetics help you speak like a native.

• Find what you need right away -- Words and phrases are grouped by topic.

• Handle every situation -- You'll find all the words and phrases you need for every part of your trip, from arrival to departure.

• Travel Smart -- Fodor's correspondents share their know-how throughout.

Customer Reviews:

Useful phrasebook.......2002-10-21

I found this to be a well written, detailed, and easy to use language guide. I have used a number of the Fodor language guides and travel guides over the years, as well as the ones by Lonely Planet, and I think they offer the best value for the price.

I plan on going to Europe soon, and hopefully, this guide will make it a smoother trip than the one I made to the eastern bloc some years ago.

While we're at it, I hope you don't mind if I recount a funny story that happened the last time I was in Europe.

I was in Sophia, Bulgaria, trying to ask a Bulgarian policemen where I could buy a map, which in Russian sounds like "Gedzye ya pokupaiyu carteeriye? and instead I pointed to the phrase in the Russian phrasebook which said, "Where can I find a mild laxative?" He gave me a look that indicated I hadn't quite communicated my real intent, and then I noticed where I was pointing in the phrasebook, and I guess the expression on my face did the rest, because at that point he basically realized I didn't know what the hell I was doing.

Anyway, hopefully my next trip will go smoother in the cross-cultural communication department.

Perfect for travelers.......2001-03-07

My native German friend was my personal translator but since I knew I'd be on my own half the time, I wanted to have a grasp of essential German words and expressions. I asked around for a good German program for travelers and a coworker recommended this program which didn't disappoint! The audio was great for helping me with pronunciation. What I learned in the "finding your way" section came in very handy when I was lost and needed to ask for directions back to my friend's place. The phrasebook also came in very handy especially when it came to dining out by myself. I knew I didn't want "hasenpfeffer" (spicy rabbit stew) or "eisbein" (pickled pig's knuckle)!

Excellent.......2001-02-03

This phrasebook should see you through most encounters you are likely to have as a tourist in the German speaking world. Easy to follow and well laid out, it certainly helped me through a recent trip to Germany. Apart from a minor misunderstanding with a Stuttgart hotel clerk whom I mysteriously told "I am not normally flaccid" in response to a routine credit card inquiry, I coped marvellously.

good for please and thankyou.......1999-09-05

I bought these tapes before going to Germany, and found them useful in asking questions, such as, "Do you have a room available", but the only problem is that they don't really brief you on responces...understanding what people would answer back was quite confusing.

American Express International Traveler's Pocket Italian Dictionary and Phrase Book

Average customer rating:

American Express International Traveler's Pocket Italian Dictionary and Phrase Book
American Express
Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster (Paper)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0671470310

American traveler's companion ;: A word and phrase book in English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese [and] Spanish

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American traveler's companion ;: A word and phrase book in English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese [and] Spanish
Graydon S DeLand
Manufacturer: Fielding Publications, in association with W. Morrow
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

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Italian for the Business Traveler (Bilingual Business Guides)

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Italian for the Business Traveler (Bilingual Business Guides)
Frank G. Rakas
Manufacturer: Barrons Educational Series Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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