In one of my Italian lessons, a few of my students were telling stories and joking about younger men hitting on them, and asked me for the relevant vocabulary. The verb to hit on in Italian is provarci and to pick up is rimorchiare, which literally means to tow/drag.
If someone attractive approaches you, it might be a good idea to check if they are single, by asking: Hai un ragazzo / una ragazza? Have you got a boyfriend / girlfriend?
So, the next step is going on a date: un appuntamento. This could be for dinner, or for a walk, or to the cinema. If you continue to date each other - frequentarsi - and your feelings develop, remember it’s ti amo (I love you), but not ti voglio bene (I love you as a friend)!
Alesha Allen is an Oxford graduate of Italian who is now back in London after years spent living and working in Rome as a language teacher and PR consultant. Alesha is CEO and Italian teacher at Alesha’s Italian Masterclass, which runs group Italian immersion courses at Italian restaurants and cafes such as Nonna Rosa’s in Coulsdon, and private lessons throughout London. You can contact her at italianmasterclass@hotmail.com or through Facebook or Twitter. Her website is www.italianmasterclass.co.uk
