115 Compliments in Italian for Every Occasion 📚 + FREE PDF Cheat-Sheet

Che bello! (How nice!) – Someone’s just paid you a genuine compliment, lifting your spirits higher than the dome of St Peter’s! Because that’s the magic of compliments – they’re like little shots of espresso for the soul, making you feel seen, appreciated, and valued. From applauding your friend’s fashion flair to acknowledging a coworker’s brilliant idea, or appreciating a stranger’s infectious laughter, compliments have this amazing ability to spread joy and forge connections.

So, to enhance your praise repertoire, I’ve gathered a collection of the most common compliments in Italian so you can sprinkle some amore (love) in any situation. I’ve also included the appropriate responses for when you are on the receiving end of a compliment. Be sure to stick around until the very end for some helpful tips on avoiding common blunders when giving compliments in Italian – you won’t want to miss that!

Just a heads up: the examples below use the Italian informal address (“tu”), but you can totally switch it up to the formal style (“Lei”) if the situation calls for it. Just use the third person instead of the second singular (for example, Lei è davvero gentile instead of Sei davvero gentile).

But first, make sure to download your free PDF cheat-sheet, which includes all the key points we’ll cover in this guide. Just enter your email below and I’ll send it to you straight away.

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Table to Contents

Here’s what we’ll cover in this guide. Click on any title to jump to each section.

How to say you are beautiful in Italian
How to compliment someone on their work
How to compliment someone on their appearance or clothing in Italian
How to compliment someone on their personality or lifestyle in Italian
How to compliment someone on something they have
How to respond to compliments in Italian
The do’s and don’ts of complimenting someone in Italian

How to say you are beautiful in Italian

If you want to compliment a friend’s appearance, charm your Italian amore (love), or simply get downright flirtatious in the right company, this section has you covered.

While you might already be familiar with the classic bello/a and bellissimo/a (beautiful), Italian offers a rich variety of expressions to capture someone’s beauty. Just refer to the context column in the table below to know which ones are okay to use with friends and which ones are best saved for romantic rendezvous.

Saying you’re beautiful in Italian
English	Italian	Pronunciation
How beautiful/handsome you are	Come sei bella/o	koh-meh say bel-lah/loh
You have beautiful eyes	Hai degli occhi stupendi	aiee de-lye ok-kee stoo-pen-dee
You have a beautiful smile	Hai un bellissimo sorriso	aiee uhn bel-lee-see-moh soh-ree-soh
You are unbelievably beautiful/handsome	Mi piaci da morire	mee pyah-chee dah moh-ree-reh
How pretty you are	Ma come siamo carine/i	mah koh-meh syah-moh kah-ree-neh/nee
You drive me crazy	Mi fai impazzire	mee fai eem-pa-tzee-reh
I like your eyes, I get lost in them	Mi piacciono i tuoi occhi, mi ci perdo	mee pyah-choh-noh ee twoi ohk-kee, mee chee pehr-doh
I could look at you all day	Potrei guardarti per tutto il giorno	poh-trey gwar-dahr-tee pehr toot-toh eel jor-noh
You are so sensual	Sei così sensuale	say koh-zee sen-soo-ah-leh
You are beautiful/handsome	Sei bella/o	say be-lah/loh
You are beautiful/handsome	Sei bellissima/o	say beh-lee-see-mah/moh
You are so sexy	Sei così sexy	say koh-zee sex-ee
You leave me breathless	Sei da togliere il fiato	say dah toh-lyeh-reh eel fyah-toh
You are enchanting	Sei incantevole	say een-kahn-teh-voh-leh
You are so cute	Sei così carina/o	say koh-zee kah-ree-nah/noh
You are breathtaking	Sei mozzafiato	say moh-tsa-fyah-toh
You are perfect	Sei perfetta/o	say pair-feh-tah/toh
You are such a charm	Sei un incanto	say oon een-kahn-toh
You are so cool	Sei un gran figo/una gran figa	say oon grahn fee-go/oo-na grahn fee-gah
You are a dream	Sei un sogno	say oon sohn-yo
You are marvelous	Sei una meraviglia	say oo-nuh meh-rah-vee-lyah
You are such a beauty	Sei uno splendore	say oo-noh splehn-doh-reh
You are a vision	Sei una visione	say oo-nah veez-yoh-neh
You are a knockout	Sei uno schianto	say oo-noh skyan-toh
You are a stunner	Sei uno spettacolo	say oo-no speh-tah-koh-loh
You look gorgeous	Sei stupenda/o	say stoo-pen-dah/doh
You are so breathtakingly beautiful/handsome	Sei talmente bella/o da togliere il fiato	say tal-men-tey bel-lah/loh da toh-lyeh-re eel fya-toh
What a hunk!	Che fusto!	keh foo-stoh

When it comes to flirting and showing someone you’re interested in them, you could keep it simple with a classic like Sei bellissima/o (You’re beautiful), or go for something more dramatic like Sei mozzafiato (You’re breathtaking) or Sei talmente bella/o da togliere il fiato (You’re so breathtakingly beautiful/handsome). Feeling bold? Try Mi piaci da morire (You’re unbelievably beautiful/handsome) or Mi fai impazzire (You drive me crazy) to really make them swoon with your admiration.

To get specific and tell them exactly what you find beautiful about them, try compliments like Sei bellissima/o quando ridi (You’re beautiful when you smile), Hai degli occhi stupendi (You have beautiful eyes), or Hai un bellissimo sorriso (You have a beautiful smile). And who could resist being told, Mi piacciono i tuoi occhi, mi ci perdo (I like your eyes, I get lost in them) or Potrei guardarti per tutto il giorno (I could look at you all day) to convey your endless fascination?

Then, there are those compliments that can be used in different situations, like Sei uno schianto (You’re a real knockout), which can work wonders whether you’re praising a friend’s fabulousness or your sweetheart’s allure. The same goes with phrases like Sei stupenda (You look gorgeous), Sei uno spettacolo (You’re a stunner), Sei un incanto (You’re such a charm), Sei uno schianto (You are a knockout). For a more playful vibe, among close friends or youngsters, you could say Sei un gran figo/una gran figa (You’re so cool)).

But what about complimenting little kids? They’re adorable too, right? To let them know how cute they are, you could say something like Ma come siamo carine/i (How pretty you are) or Sei così carino/a (You’re so cute).

And hey, if you’re with your grandma at the market and she spots a dashing gent, you might hear her whisper “What a hunk” (Che fusto)! It’s a bit old-school, but it never fails to hit the mark!

How to compliment someone on their work

So, you’re at work, and that Italian colleague of yours just aced a project. Sure, you could go for the usual “Great job,” but imagine the delight on their face when you acknowledge their achievement in their native tongue. Not only does it show appreciation for their hard work, but it also demonstrates a genuine effort to connect on a deeper level.

Below are some fantastic expressions to use when you want to compliment someone in Italian about their work or in a work setting. If the situation allows, throw in a playful Mamma mia! and watch your colleague’s smile grow even wider!

Complimenting a job well done in Italian
English	Italian	Pronunciation
Come on!	Forza!	for-tsah
Compliments!	Complimenti!	kohm-plee-mehn-tee
Congratulations!	Congratulazioni!	kohn-grah-too-lah-tsyoh-nee
Great idea!	Ottima idea!	aw-tee-mah ee-deh-ah
Good job!	Bel lavoro!	bell lah-voh-roh
Great job!	Ottimo lavoro!	oh-tee-moh lah-voh-roh
Great job!	Grande! (slang)	grahn-deh
Hats off to you!	Tanto di cappello!	tahn-toh dee kah-pehl-loh
I believe in you	Credo in te	kreh-doh een teh
I knew you would succeed	Sapevo che ci saresti riuscito/a	sah-peh-voh keh chee sah-reh-stee ree-oo-shee-toh/tah
I’m sure you will do great things	Sono sicura/o che farai grandi cose	soh-noh see-koo-rah/roh keh fah-ry grahn-dee koh-seh
Keep it up!	Continua così!	kohn-tee-noo-ah koh-zee
Well done!	Ben fatto!	behn fah-toh
	Bravo/a!	brah-voh/vah
	Bravissimo/a!	brah-vees-see-moh/mah
	Che bravo/a!	keh brah-voh/vah
How nice!	Che bello!	keh beh-loh
This is how it’s done	Così si fa!	koh-zee see fah
You are so talented	Hai talento	aiee tah-lehn-toh
You are a capable person	Sei davvero in gamba	say dah-veh-roh een gahm-bah
You have excelled yourself	Hai superato te stesso/a	aiee soo-peh-ra-toh teh stehs-soh/sah
Your contribution has been valuable	Il tuo contributo è stato prezioso	eel too-oh kon-tree-boo-toh eh stah-toh preh-zyee-oh-soh
Your hard work will pay off	Il tuo duro lavoro sarà ripagato	eel too-oh doo-roh la-vo-roh sah-rah ree-pah-gah-toh
You’re the best	Sei il/la migliore	say eel/lah meel-yor-eh
I’m proud of you	Sono orgogliosa/o di te	soh-noh or-gohl-yoh-soh/sah dee teh
You’ve earned it	Te lo sei meritato	teh loh say meh-ree-tah-toh

The most common Italian compliments for a job well done include classics like Ottimo lavoro (Great job), Bel lavoro (Good job), Ben fatto (Well done), and the more casual Che bravo/a (Well done) and Grande (Great job), the latter bering slang reserved for informal situations and peers. These compliments are short, sweet, and incredibly effective, especially when accompanied by a friendly pat on the back.

Adding a personal touch by explaining why you’re praising them can really elevate your compliment game. For instance, Complimenti per la presentazione, è stata illuminante (Congratulations on the presentation, it was enlightening) or Ho visto che hai chiuso quel contratto. Complimenti, molto ben fatto! (I saw you closed that deal. Congratulations, very well done!) show that you’re paying attention and genuinely impressed by their work.

Looking to fuel their motivation even more? Throw in some encouraging phrases like Continua così! (Keep it up), Vedrai, il tuo duro lavoro sarà ripagato (Your hard work will pay off), Sono sicura/o che farai grandi cose (I’m sure you’ll do great things) for boosting morale. And don’t forget to highlight their talent with a simple Hai davvero talento (You’re really talented) or the more emphatic Hai un talento straordinario (You have extraordinary talent).

Let’s not forget those moments when the pressure’s on and things get tough. Again, a little encouragement can go a long way. Simple phrases like Forza (Come on), Credo in te (I believe in you) can be just the boost they need to keep going. And when they really knock it out of the park with their genius, creativity, or problem-solving prowess, shower them with compliments like Sei un genio! (You’re a genius!), Sei davvero in gamba (You’re really talented), and Hai superato te stesso/a (You have excelled yourself).

Last but not least, when it’s time to pop the prosecco and celebrate awards and achievements, you can’t go wrong with a classic Congratulazioni! (Congratulations!) which works in any situation. But if you want to add some extra emphasis, try Te lo sei meritato (You’ve earned it) or Sapevo che ci saresti riuscito/a (I knew you would succeed). These words of recognition will make the celebration even sweeter.

How to compliment someone on their appearance or clothing in Italian

Ever find yourself struck by someone’s impeccable style or radiant presence? You know the type – their outfit is on point, their confidence is contagious, and you can’t help but think, Che meraviglia! (What a wonder!).

Well, in Italy, this scenario is quite common, as Italians are renowned for their innate sense of style and trendsetting prowess. So, being able to compliment someone’s appearance or fashion choices in Italian can truly enhance your interactions and add a delightful touch to your social encounters.

Complimenting appearance and clothing in Italian
English	Italian	Pronunciation
I love your style!	Adoro il tuo stile!	ah-doh-roh eel tu-oh stee-leh
I love your shoes!	Adoro le tue scarpe!	ah-doh-roh leh tu-eh skahr-peh
What a beautiful bag, where did you get it?	Che bella borsa, dove l’hai presa?	keh beh-lah bohr-sah, doh-veh lah-eei preh-sah
What a cool outfit!	Che figata di outfit!	keh fee-gah-tah dee owt-fit
What a style, you are always on top!	Che stile! Sei sempre top!	keh stee-leh! sem-preh al top!
You look nice!	Come stai bene!	koh-meh stai beh-neh
How good you look with these shoes!	Come ti stanno bene queste scarpe!	koh-meh tee stahhn-noh beh-neh kwesh-teh skahr-peh
You’ve got style	Hai stile	aiee stee-leh
I like how how you dress	Mi piace come ti vesti	mee pyah-cheh koh-meh tee veh-stee
I like your new haircut	Mi piace il tuo nuovo taglio	mee pyah-cheh eel tu-oh nwoh-voh tah-lyoh
This haircut/color really suits you	Questo taglio/colore ti dona	kweh-sto ta-lyo/ko-lo-reh tee doh-nah
You wear your age well	Porti molto bene i tuoi anni	por-tee mol-toh beh-neh ee tu-oh ahn-nee
This dress looks great on you	Questo vestito ti sta d’incanto/una favola	kweh-stoh veh-stee-toh tee stah dinn-kahn-toh /oo-nah fah-voh-lah
This dress suits you perfectly	Questo vestito ti sta a pennello	kweh-stoh vehs-tee-toh tee stah ah pehn-nehl-loh
You really have good taste	Hai davvero buon gusto	aiee dahv-veh-roh bwohn goo-stoh
You are very elegant	Sei molto elegante	say mol-toh eh-leh-gahn-teh
You’re always so chic	Sei sempre così chic	say sehm-preh koh-zee sheek
You look fantastic	Stai benissimo	sty beh-nee-see-moh
You look great	Stai da dio/Stai proprio bene/Ti trovo bene	sty dah dee-oh / sty proh-pree-oh beh-neh / tee troh-voh beh-neh
You’re in great shape	Sei in forma	say een fohr-mah
You look in great shape	Ti trovo in forma smagliante/in splendida forma	tee troh-voh een for-mah smah-lyahn-teh/een splen-dee-dah for-mah

So, if you want to tell someone you think they’ve got awesome style and they’re nailing the whole fashion and beauty thing, phrases like Adoro il tuo stile (I love your style) or Mi piace come ti vesti (I like how you dress) are perfect icebreakers. For something fancier, you could say Sei sempre così chic (You’re always so chic) or Sei molto elegante (You’re very elegant). These kinds of compliments can really make someone’s day and boost their confidence (and mood towards you)!

For your pals or family, keeping it casual is key. Saying things like Stai proprio bene (You look great), Stai da dio (You look amazing) or Che figata di outfit (What a cool outfit) perfectly conveys your admiration. And using trendy phrases like Che stile, sempre al top (What a style, always on top) really show you’re up with the times.

Now, to focus on a specific piece of clothing, phrases like phrases such as Questo vestito ti sta d’incanto (This dress looks great on you), Questo vestito ti sta a pennello, (This dress suits you perfectly), or Come stai bene con quel vestito (How good you look with this dress) show that you’ve noticed the details and how well they look on the person wearing them. You can easily adapt this phrase for the specific item of clothing, for example Questa gonna ti sta d’incanto (This skirt looks great on you) or Questi jeans ti stanno una favola (Those jeans look great on you).

If someone has a new haircut, acknowledging it with phrases like Mi piace il tuo nuovo taglio (I like your new haircut), Questo colore/taglio ti dona (This color/cut really suits you) or Ti mette in risalto gli occhi (It makes your eyes pop) shows that you pay attention to the details and appreciate the effort they’ve put into their appearance.

When you haven’t seen someone for a while, a simple Ti trovo bene (You look good), Sei in forma (You’re in great shape), or Ti trovo in gran forma (You look great) is all you need to make them feel good.

Now, here’s the tricky part – complimenting someone based on their age. While a phrase like Porti molto bene i tuoi anni (You wear your age well) can be a genuine compliment in Italian to compliment someone’s genetics, especially if said when the person’s age pops up in the conversation, it can also be misinterpreted if said in isolation. So, it’s all down to the context.

How to compliment someone on their personality or lifestyle in Italian

Doesn’t it feel good to receive praise for our personality? Sure, compliments about our physical appearance are gratifying, but those that acknowledge our character traits delve into the core of who we are as individuals, affirming our uniqueness and the positive impact we can have on others.

The Italian language has a wide range of expressions that capture the essence of someone’s personality and way of life with remarkable precision and beauty. Here are some of the most common:

Complimenting someone’s personality in Italian
English	Italian	Pronunciation
I love your sense of humor	Adoro il tuo senso dell’umorismo	ah-doh-roh eel tu-oh sehn-soh dehl oo-moh-reez-moh
I love everything about you	Adoro tutto di te	ah-doh-roh toot-toh dee teh
I admire your courage	Ammiro il tuo coraggio	ahm-mee-roh eel tu-oh koh-rah-joh
I appreciate your honesty.	Apprezzo la tua sincerità	ah-prehz-tsoh lah tu-ha seen-cheh-ree-tah
Time flies with you	Con te il tempo vola	kohn teh eel tem-poh voh-lah
It’s a blast hanging out with you	È uno spasso stare con te	eh oo-noh spahs-soh stah-reh kohn teh
You radiate positivity	Emani positività	eh-mah-nee poh-zee-tee-vee-tah
You have a big heart	Hai un grande cuore	aiee oon grahn-deh kwoh-reh
You have a way with words	Hai una bella parlantina	aiee uh-nah bel-lah par-lahn-tee-nah
Your laugh is infectious	La tua risata è contagiosa	lah tuha ree-sah-tah eh kohn-tah-joh-sah
You crack me up	Mi fai morire dal ridere	mee fy mo-ree-reh dahl ree-deh-reh
You make me want to be a better person	Mi fai venire voglia di essere una persona migliore	mee fai veh-nee-reh voh-lyah dee ehs-seh-reh oo-nah pehr-soh-nah meel-yoh-reh
No one is like you	Nessuno è come te	neh-soo-noh eh koh-meh teh
You always surprise me	Non smetti mai di stupirmi	nohn smet-tee my dee stoo-peer-mee
You are so sweet	Sei carinissimo/a	say kah-ree-nees-see-moh/mah
You are so much fun	Sei così divertente	say koh-zee dee-vehr-tehn-teh
You are so sweet	Sei così dolce	say koh-zee dohl-cheh
You are so kind	Sei così gentile	say koh-zee jehn-tee-leh
You are so smart	Sei così intelligente	say koh-zee een-tel-lee-jen-teh
You are so considerate	Sei così premuroso/a	say koh-zee pray-moo-roh-soh/sah
You are a beautiful person	Sei davvero una bella persona	say da-veh-roo uhnah beh-lah per-soh-nah
You are a good girl/guy	Sei una brava ragazza/un bravo ragazzo	say uh-nah brah-vah rah-gah-tsah/oon brah-voh rah-gah-tsoh
You are a beautiful person, inside and out.	Sei una bella persona, dentro e fuori	say uh-nah beh-lah per-soh-nah, dain-troh eh fwoh-ree
You are an inspiration	Sei una fonte di ispirazione	say uh-nah fohn-tey dee ees-pee-rah-tsee-oh-neh
You are a fantastic person	Sei una persona fantastica	say uh-nah pehr-soh-nah fahn-tahs-tee-kah
You are a beautiful soul	Sei un’anima bella	say uh ah-nee-mah beh-lah
You are such a thoughtful person	Sei proprio una persona squisita	say proh-pree-oh uh-nah pehr-soh-nah skwee-zee-tah
You are strong	Sei forte	say fhor-teh
You are so fun	Sei simpaticissimo/a	say seem-pah-tee-chee-see-moh/mah
You are so much fun	Sei troppo divertente	say troh-poh dee-vehr-tehn-teh
You are a golden guy/girl	Sei un ragazzo/una ragazza d’oro	say oon rah-gah-tsoh/uh-nah rah-gah-tsah daw-roh
You are a force of nature	Sei una forza della natura	say uhnah fohr-tzah dehl-lah nah-too-rah
You are a pure and simple girl	Sei una ragazza acqua e sapone	say oo-nah rah-gah-tsah ak-wah eh sah-poh-neh
You are a true gentleman	Sei un vero gentiluomo	say oon veh-roh jen-teel-woh-moh
You are one of a kind	Sei unico/a	say oo-nee-koh/kah

Want to brighten someone’s day with compliments? Here’s an easy formula: “sei + così/molto/troppo + adjective.” It’s a simple yet effective way to acknowledge someone’s unique personality traits. Whether it’s recognizing their sense of humor with Sei troppo divertente (You’re too funny) or their thoughtfulness with Sei così premuroso/a (You’re so caring), these expressions celebrate what makes each person special. Just a heads up: adjectives ending in -e work for both feminine and masculine, but for all others, remember to adapt the ending to match the person’s gender.

For expressions dripping with pure goodness and warmth, try with Sei davvero una bella persona (You are truly a beautiful person) or Sei un’anima bella (You are a beautiful soul). And to spotlight qualities like kindness and a generous heart, phrases like Sei un ragazzo/una ragazza d’oro (You are a golden boy/girl) or Hai un grande cuore (You have a big heart) are heartwarming affirmations of their character.

Venturing into more tailored compliments, for men emanating charm and grace, there’s Sei un vero gentiluomo (You’re a true gentleman). For women, there’s the Italian saying and idiom, Sei una ragazza acqua e sapone (You’re a pure and simple girl), hinting at simplicity and innate allure, without makeup or embellishments.

Adding a sprinkle of romance to the mix, phrases such as Adoro tutto di te (I adore everything about you), Mi fai venire voglia di essere una persona migliore (You make me want to be a better person), or Con te il tempo vola (Time flies with you), all convey deep admiration and affection, leaving the recipient feeling cherished and valued.

How to compliment someone on something they have

Have you ever walked into a friend’s house and immediately fallen in love with a piece of furniture ? Or perhaps you’ve spotted someone wearing a pair of glasses that scream “I’m chic”? In such circumstances, knowing how to compliment someone on their possessions becomes a valuable skill, not only to discover where to find similar items but also to break the ice and introduce yourself.

So, the next time you’re enjoying your espresso in Rome and come across a fabulous bag or any other eye-catching possession, you’ll know exactly what to say to strike up a conversation – and perhaps even snag the name of the shop!

Complimenting someone’s possessions in Italian
English	Italian	Pronunciation
Exquisite choice of decor	Complimenti per l’arredamento	kohm-plee-mehn-tee per lah-reh-dah-mehn-toh
How cool is this bag	Che figata questa borsa	keh fee-gah-tah kwe-stah bohr-sah
I love your glasses, can I ask you where you got them from?	Adoro i tuoi occhiali, posso chiederti dove li hai presi?	ah-doh-roh ee twoi ohk-kya-lee, pohs-soh kyee-der-tee doh-veh lee aiee preh-zee
I love your bag, where did you buy it?	Mi piace la tua borsa, dove l’hai presa?	mee pya-che lah tu-ha bohr-sah, doh-veh laiee preh-sah
I really like your new car, excellent choice	Mi piace un sacco la tua nuova macchina, ottima scelta	mee pya-che oon sak-koh la too-ah noo-woh-vah mahk-kee-nah, ot-te-ma shel-tah
You have a gorgeous home	Hai una bellissima casa	ah-ee uhnah beh-lee-see-mah ka-sah
Your bag is beautiful	La tua borsa è bellissima	lah tuha bohr-sah eh behl-lee-see-mah
What a beautiful home	Che bella casa!	keh beh-lah ka-sah
What a gorgeous painting	Che splendido quadro	keh splen-dee-doh kwah-droh
Wow, what a beautiful car	Wow, che bella macchina	wow keh beh-lah mahk-kee-nah

There are many options to compliment personal items in Italian. You could say, Adoro le tue scarpe (I love your shoes), Che bel vestito (That’s a nice dress), or Mi piace un sacco la tua borsa (I really like your bag). Among younger groups, you might hear, Che figata questa borsa (How cool is this bag). And if you’re curious where they got it from, just ask Posso chiederti dove l’hai preso/a? (Can I ask you where you get it from?) or be more direct with Dove l’hai comprato/a? (Where did you buy it?). It keeps the conversation going and shows you’re genuinely interested in their finds.

For a more formal compliment, you could say, Non ho potuto fare a meno di notare il tuo nuovo telefono (I couldn’t help but notice your new phone). This always adds a touch of sophistication while still conveying admiration.

Another common situation is stepping into someone’s home for the first time. In such a case, it’s natural to want to express admiration for the space. You might say, Che bella casa! (What a beautiful home!) or Hai una bellissima casa (You have a gorgeous home). Acknowledging their effort in decor, you could offer, Complimenti per l’arredamento (Exquisite choice of decor), or if something catches your eye, get specific with a phrase like Che splendido quadro! (What a gorgeous painting!).

How to respond to compliments in Italian

What if you’re the one receiving the compliment? Well, it’s always polite to respond in a way that shows your appreciation. However, knowing how to do so effectively is key, particularly if there’s some kind of flirtatious undertone, you’re at work, or you wish to reciprocate the kindness. Here are some ways to respond to compliments in Italian, ensuring you convey the right message:

Responding to compliments in Italian
English	Italian	Pronunciation
Thank you	Grazie	grah-tsee-eh
Thank you very much	Grazie mille	grah-tsee-eh meel-leh
Thank you so much	Grazie infinite	grah-tsee-eh een-fee-nee-teh
Thanks from the bottom of my heart	Grazie di cuore	grah-tsee-eh dee kwoh-reh
Thank you, how kind	Grazie, che gentile	grah-tsee-eh, keh jehn-tee-leh
Thanks, that’s too kind	Grazie, troppo gentile	grah-tsee-eh, troh-poh jehn-tee-leh
Thank you, you are very kind	Grazie, gentilissimo/a	grah-tsee-eh, jehn-tee-leh-see-moh/mah
Thank you, you are too kind	Grazie, sei troppo carino/a	grah-tsee-eh, say troh-poh kah-ree-noh/nah
Thank you, it’s nice of you to say so	È carino da parte tua dirlo	grah-tsee, eh kah-ree-noh dah pahr-teh tuha deer-loh
Come on, don’t exaggerate	Dai, non esagerare	die nohn eh-sah-jeh-rah-reh
It’s so kind of you	È davvero gentile da parte tua	eh dah-veh-roh dah pahr-teh tuha
Thank you, I love you too	Grazie, ti amo anch’io	grah-tsee-eh, tee ah-moh ahn-kee-oh
Yes, I know, I’m too good	Sì lo so, sono troppo bravo/a	see loh soh, soh-noh troh-poh brah-voh/vah
Thank you, It was a great team effort.	Grazie, è stato un bel lavoro di squadra	grah-tsee-eh, eh stah-toh oon behl lah-voh-roh dee skwah-drah
Thank you, but I’m not interested	Grazie, ma non sono interessato/a	grah-tsee-eh, mah nohn soh-noh een-teh-reh-sah-toh/tah
Thank you, your words flatter me	Grazie, le tue parole mi lusingano	grah-tsee-eh leh tuhe pah-roh-leh mee loo-seen-gah-noh
I’m flattered	Sono lusingato/a	soh-noh loo-seen-gah-toh/tah
You flatter me	Mi lusinghi	mee loo-seen-ghee
Thank you, I really appreciate that	Grazie, lo apprezzo molto	grah-tsee-eh loh ah-prehz-zoh mohl-toh
Thank you, that’s so nice of you to say	Grazie, mi fa piacere che tu lo dica	grah-tsee-eh, mee fah pee-ah-che-reh keh too loh dee-kah
Thank you, I just did my job	Grazie, ho fatto solo il mio lavoro	grah-tsee-eh, oh fah-toh soh-loh eel me-oh lah-voh-roh
Thank you, I must credit the whole team for this	Grazie, devo dare merito a tutta la squadra per questo	grah-tsee-eh, deh-voh dah-reh meh-ree-toh ah too-tah lah skwah-drah pehr kweh-stoh
Thank you, I couldn’t have achieved this without your precious support	Grazie, non avrei potuto ottenere tutto questo senza il vostro prezioso supporto	grah-tsee-eh, nohn ahv-rayee po-too-toh oht-teh-ne-reh toot-toh kwe-stoh sehn-zah eel voh-stroh preh-tsee-oh soo-poor-toh
Thanks, you too	Grazie, anche tu	grah-tsee-eh ahn-keh too
Thank you, a compliment from you is worth a dozen from anyone else	Grazie, un complimento detto da te vale doppio	grah-tsee-eh un kohm-plee-mehn-toh deh-toh dah teh vah-leh dohp-pyoh
Thank you, I’m glad you like it	Grazie, mi fa piacere che ti piaccia	grah-tsee-eh mee fah pee-ah-che-reh keh tee pya-chah
Thank you for the compliment	Ti ringrazio per il complimento	tee reen-grah-tsee-oh pehr eel kohm-plee-men-toh

The classic response to compliments in Italian is always Grazie (Thank you), and you can spice it up with variants like Grazie mille (Thanks a lot), Grazie infinite (Thank you so much), or Grazie di cuore (Thanks from the bottom of my heart). Also, adding the person’s name after Grazie adds a personal touch, such as Grazie, Maria (Thank you, Maria).

To convey deeper appreciation, you can add just about anything, depending on the context and the kind of feeling you want to express. Things like Che gentile (How kind), È davvero gentile da parte tua (That’s really kind of you), or Lo apprezzo molto (I really appreciate that) work well. For a touch of flattery, you could respond with Le tue parole mi lusingano (your words flatter me) or Mi fa piacere che tu lo dica (it makes me happy that you say that).

Depending on the compliment, it’s nice to reciprocate with expressions like Grazie anche tu (Thank you, you too) or acknowledge the other person’s qualities with Grazie, anche tu sei molto simpatico/a (Thank you, you’re very nice too).

Injecting humor into your response can also be delightful. For example, you could playfully accept the compliment with Sì lo so, sono troppo bravo/a (Yes, I know, I’m too good) or Grazie, ti amo anch’io (Thank you, I love you too – perfect for being playful with your better half). If you want to play it cool, you can say Dai, non esagerare (Come on, don’t exaggerate).

In professional settings, acknowledging teamwork is essential. È stato un bel lavoro di squadra (It was a great team effort) or Devo dare merito a tutta la squadra per questo (I must credit the whole team for this), or Non avrei potuto ottenere tutto questo senza il vostro prezioso supporto (I couldn’t have achieved this without your precious support). Modesty is also appreciated, so you can also respond with Grazie, ho fatto solo il mio lavoro (Thank you, I just did my job).

And what if you receive a flirty compliment? If you’re interested, you could play along with Mi stai chiedendo di uscire? (Are you asking me out?) or Ci stai provando con me? (Are you hitting on me?). If not, a polite Grazie, ma non sono interessato/a (Thank you, but I’m not interested) will suffice.

The do’s and don’ts of complimenting someone in Italian

Complimenting someone in Italian can be a delightful experience that brightens their day, but it requires finesse to avoid any unintended awkwardness. Here are some helpful tips to help you navigate the do’s and don’ts of complimenting in Italian with grace:

Dos

Be authentic: Skip the pre-made phrases and generic praises. Italians, renowned for their warmth, relish genuine praise that resonates.
Get specific: Dive deep and highlight the little things that make someone shine. Whether it’s their killer sense of style or infectious laugh, details matter and show you truly value the person’s qualities.
Mind the titles: In Italy, titles hold significant weight. Addressing professionals as Dottore (doctor), Professore (professor) or Ingegnere (engineers) based on their occupation is a way to show respect. However, don’t add the name onto the title. Instead, opt for phrases like Complimenti, Professore (Compliments, professor) or Ottimo lavoro, Ingegnere (Great job, engineer). Note that, in written communication, professional titles tend to be capitalized when referring to a specific individual, although this is not mandatory. For example, you could write Buonasera, Dottore (Good evening, Doctor) but Bisogna studiare molto per diventare dottore (One must study hard to become a doctor).
Celebrate the country: Italians take immense pride in their country’s rich cultural heritage and natural landscapes. So, if you want to break the ice and make an Italian smile, just give them props for all the amazing things their country has. They’ll totally appreciate it!
Keep it simple: When praising someone, whether its appearance, personality or possessions, stick to straightforward compliments without overdoing it or making backhanded remarks. For example, say Sei bellissima (You are beautiful) but don’t add remarks like più del solito (more than usual).

Don’ts

Don’t exaggerate: Avoid overwhelming the recipient with too many compliments, plus too much praise can come across as insincere or overwhelming. Remember the Italian saying – il troppo stroppia (too much of a good thing can spoil it).
Don’t fish for praise: Let compliments flow naturally, without resorting to sneaky tactics like saying Ho fatto schifo (I sucked) or Sono un disastro (I’m a disaster) waiting for the other person to say something.
Don’t be indelicate: Avoid phrases that could be misconstrued as backhanded insults. Keep it classy and steer clear of anything that could make someone feel less than fabulous with expressions like Sei ancora in forma per avere sessant’anni (For a sixty-year-old, you’re still in great shape!) or Non sembri neanche tu in questa foto (You don’t even seem like yourself in this photo) – in the wrong contexts, they will come across as a subtle insult.
Don’t overstep boundaries: Save your compliments for people you know. Showering compliments on strangers or individuals with whom you have a significant age gap or power dynamic might raise a few eyebrows – and not in a good way.

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