Irregular verbs, articles, prepositions… and then that moment when you understand everything but can’t get a sentence out. If that sounds familiar, don’t worry, you’re definitely not the only one.
In this guide, we’ll explore why so many learners find Italian tricky and, more importantly, how to make things easier with practical advice, real-life examples and a more flexible, personalised approach that actually works.
Why do so many people find Italian difficult?
Italian is a beautiful language, no doubt, but it’s not always straightforward. For non-native speakers, it can feel full of rules, exceptions and odd little quirks.
Some sounds don’t even exist in other languages, verbs seem to change all the time, and sometimes a sentence looks like it’s been thrown together randomly (even when it hasn’t!).
The important thing to remember is that you’re not alone. It’s completely normal to struggle at first. And understanding why things feel difficult is the first step to making them easier.
Too many verbs, too many tenses: how to deal with them without going mad
Conjugations, irregular verbs, past tenses, conditionals… it can feel like a maze. But here’s the good news: you don’t need to learn everything all at once.
Start with the tenses that come up most often in everyday life, like the present, the present perfect, and the simple future. And focus on the verbs that actually matter to you right now.
Repeat them in simple sentences, write them down, use them out loud. Don’t worry if you mix up “ho mangiato” and “mangiavo”, it happens to everyone. What matters most is that you get your message across.
I understand everything but I can’t speak…what should I do?
This is super common. You understand what people are saying, you can read a menu or a message… but when it’s your turn to speak, you freeze.
Why? Because listening is passive, and speaking is active, it takes effort. The solution? Just start talking, even if it’s clumsy or limited at first.
Try using short, simple sentences. Ask basic questions. Respond with single words if that’s all you’ve got. Practice with someone who makes you feel relaxed. And if it helps, record yourself speaking. It feels weird at first, but it’s a great way to build confidence.
Training your ear: how to improve pronunciation, rhythm and intonation
Listening to Italian every day is one of the best ways to make the language feel natural and familiar. Even if you don’t catch everything, just keep your ears exposed to it.
Podcasts for learners, YouTube videos, Italian songs with lyrics, TV series with Italian subtitles, it all helps. Listen to how native speakers talk, imitate their rhythm, repeat what they say out loud. Your pronunciation gets better the more you listen not just by reading grammar rules!
You don’t have to learn everything: just focus on what you need
One of the most common mistakes learners make is trying to memorise every single grammar rule and word in the dictionary. But language isn’t about perfection, it’s about communication.
So start with what’s useful: expressions and words you’d use in daily life. Think ordering in a restaurant, shopping, asking for directions, or talking about yourself.
Learning what’s relevant to your world helps you progress faster and makes studying way more enjoyable. Trust us: knowing 100 useful words is better than knowing 1,000 you’ll never use.
Why making mistakes is a vital part of the learning process
No one loves making mistakes but they’re absolutely necessary. Every single error teaches you something, even if you don’t notice it right away.
In fact, the more mistakes you make, the more you learn. So don’t be afraid to mess up: speak, write, experiment. You’ll get better at correcting yourself over time. But the biggest hurdle to overcome is often mental. You learn Italian by doing, not by waiting until you feel “ready”.
Italian and Latin languages: is it easier if you speak Spanish, French or Portuguese?
If your native language is French, Spanish or Portuguese, you’ve already got a head start. Italian shares many roots, similar grammar and lots of vocabulary with these languages.
That said, similarities can help but they can also be a trap. Some words look the same but mean different things, and certain pronunciation features (like double consonants) might be completely new.
So use your background to your advantage, but don’t take everything for granted. Keep your curiosity alive and check things when you’re unsure.
Train your brain to think in Italian
One of the biggest steps in mastering a language is stopping the habit of mentally translating everything from your native language.
It’s natural to do that at first, of course. But over time, the goal is to start thinking directly in Italian.
How? Start small: with everyday phrases like “Ho fame”, “Devo uscire”, “Che ore sono?”. Try describing what’s around you in Italian. Talk to yourself out loud. Even five minutes a day of this kind of mental workout makes a huge difference. Your brain adapts and speaking gets easier.
Want to make it easier? Learn with a method that fits you
The breakthrough in language learning doesn’t usually come from more books, more rules or more effort. It comes from using a method that actually fits you as a person.
Every learner is different. And yes, Italian can seem like a tough language but it’s a lot more manageable when your approach matches your pace, style and goals.
If you’ve ever wondered why Italian is difficult for foreigners to learn, the answer depends on lots of things: how far it is from your mother tongue, your cultural background, and how your brain processes language.
For example, English speakers might struggle with verb conjugations, the “passato remoto”, or the challenge of double consonants.
Meanwhile, speakers of Spanish, French or Portuguese may find similarities in structure or vocabulary, though these can sometimes lead to confusion too. Learners from Germanic languages like German or Dutch face different challenges again, due to root differences.
But none of these difficulties are deal-breakers. You can overcome them with a method that mixes listening, writing, speaking and active grammar all at your level and tailored to your needs.
The secret? Make Italian part of your everyday life!
Whether you’re in the city, at work, at school or simply at home, surround yourself with the language. Find teachers, classmates or even just a friend who’s a native speaker and who supports you with patience and encouragement.
Discover the Sì Studiare Italiano courses
Whether you’re learning for an exam, a degree, a trip to Italy or just for the joy of understanding all those words you hear around you we’ve got a course that suits your goals.
Our courses are designed to match your pace, your experience and your level of knowledge. No more boring rules or overly academic approaches, just a real, practical and human method for people who genuinely want to learn.
Check out the Sì Studiare Italiano courses and discover how even a “difficult” language can become easier with the right support, the right materials, and the right method for you.