We learn Italian step by step | Impariamo l'italiano piano piano
Impariamo lāitaliano piano piano is a story-based podcast for B1āB2 Italian learners who want to improve their grammar and vocabulary by following an ongoing mystery, rather than studying isolated lessons. Beginners are welcome too - everything unfolds piano piano, one step at a time.
Each episode advances a serialized story, Le Pagine del Passato, allowing you to experience Italian in context as meaning builds gradually through memory, dialogue, and investigation. Grammar structures such as the imperfetto, passato prossimo, congiuntivo, and object pronouns emerge naturally through the narrative, helping you recognize how Italian works in real situations.
Hosted by Myra, an instructional designer and adult language learner, the show is joined by Antonio - a dramatic, opinionated presence who interrupts, comments, and occasionally derails things, making the learning process both human and entertaining. Together, they guide listeners toward greater confidence in Italian, step by step.
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We learn Italian step by step | Impariamo l'italiano piano piano
š Bonus Episode 03 Preview ā Vocabulary for Secrets Revealed
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š§ Bonus Episode 03 Preview ā Vocabulary for Surprises, Storms & New Directions
-> Link to vocabulary flashcards for Chapter 1 Part 4 <--
(This link is active only for show supporters)
Vocabulary Boost for Chapter 1 Part 4 (introduced in Podcast Episode 5)
Curious about the vocabulary behind the final twists in Chapter 1? This special preview of our third bonus episode gives you early access to two thematic categoriesāLegal & Official Matters and Actions & Feelingsācomplete with contextual examples, active recall, and a playful mini quiz.
⨠Plus, enjoy a sneak peek of Antonio's theatrical flair⦠before he insists we save the rest for our supporters!
š Want the full episode with three complete categories, flashcards, and a poetic toast? Click Support the Show to unlock everything.
š The full transcript with vocabulary lists, grammar notes, and contextual stories is available to show supporters at https://www.welearnitalianstepbystep.com
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All content Ā© 2026 Impariamo lāitaliano piano piano ā Un impegno quotidiano
š Welcome to We learn Italian step by step / Impariamo lāitaliano piano piano
š§ Bonus Episode 03 Preview - Vocabulary for Surprises, Storms & New Directions
Vocabulary Boost for Chapter 1 Part 4 (to be introduced in Podcast Episode 5)
Myra: Benvenuti alla nostra terza puntata bonus! š§ Welcome to our third bonus episode!
In questa sessione, esploriamo alcune parole ed espressioni chiave ā some words and key expressions ā che troverete in Le Pagine del Passato, Capitolo 1 ā La Biblioteca Antica ā Parte quattro, lāepisodio finale del primo capitolo ā words that youāll hear in the upcoming final part of Chapter One.
-> Link to vocabulary flashcards for Chapter 1 Part 4 <--
(This link is active only for show supporters)
Abbiamo raggruppato il vocabolario in categorie logiche ā logical categories ā che coprono (that cover) il linguaggio legale, le emozioni, la vita quotidiana ā grouped into categories of legal language, emotions, daily life, e persino il tempo atmosferico and even the weather.
Come sempre, ascolterete le parole nel loro contesto, farete pratica con esercizi di richiamo attivo e vi metterete alla prova con un mini quiz alla fine di ogni sezione.
(As always, youāll hear the words in context, practice with active recall exercises, and test yourself with a mini quiz at the end of each section.)
Myra: Mettetevi comodi, fate un bel respiroā¦
(Make yourselves comfortable, take a deep breath)
Antonio: Ah, finalmente! Ć ora di riscaldare la voce e risvegliare la mente!
(Ah, finally! It's time to warm up the voice and awaken the mind!)
Myra: Yes⦠yes, as Antonio saysāletās warm up our voices and wake up our minds!
Antonio: āNel mezzo del cammin di nostra vita, mi ritrovai per una selva oscuraā¦ā
Myra: Okay, Dante! Thatās maybe a bit too far for today⦠Letās not get lost in the woods just yet.
How about we start with our first category: Legal & Official Matters.
Category 1: Legal & Official Matters
Contextual Introduction
When someone passes away, their testamento must be read by a lawyer at a studio legale.
The daughter may receive a formal letter stating that she is kindly invitata to attend the lettura del testamento, where she finds out what has been left behind.
Completely in Italian
Myra: Antonio ā over to you⦠Completamente in italiano, lentamente per favore.
Quando qualcuno viene a mancare, il suo testamento deve essere letto da un avvocato in uno studio legale.
La figlia può ricevere una lettera formale che dice che è gentilmente invitata a partecipare alla lettura del testamento, dove scoprirà cosa le è stato lasciato.
Myra: E ora a velocitĆ normale, per favore.
(Antonio repeats the contextual Introduction at normal speed)
Myra: Letās go over some key words you just heard. Iāll say them in Englishāsee if you can come up with the Italian.
Active Recall Exercise
- What is the Italian word for "will"? ā testamento
- How do you say "law firm" in Italian? ā studio legale
- What phrase means "reading of the will"? ā lettura del testamento
- What is the feminine singular word for "invited"? ā invitata
Perfetto. Now letās move onto the mini quiz! Iāll ask the questions in English. Try to answer in Italian before Antonio gives you the correct response.
Mini Quiz
- "The reading of the will is on Friday." ā La lettura del testamento ĆØ venerdƬ.
- "She is kindly invited to the reading of the will.ā ā Ć gentilmente invitata alla lettura del testamento.
- "The lawyer read the will." ā Lāavvocato ha letto il testamento.
- "The lawyer works at a law firm." ā Lāavvocato lavora in uno studio legale.
š Grammar Notes ā Legal & Official Matters
- testamento ā Masculine noun; legal document declaring wishes after death.
- studio legale ā Compound noun; studio = office/study, legale = legal.
- lettura del testamento ā Noun phrase; lettura = reading, del testamento = of the will.
- invitata ā Feminine past participle of invitare; used as an adjective to mean āinvited.ā
Category 2: Actions & Feelings
In this category, youāll notice some examples of reflexive and reciprocal verbsāactions someone does to themself, or that people do to each other.
Antonio:
ā¦Tipo strapparsi i capelli quando la conduttrice del podcast continua a svelare tutto!
(ā¦Like tearing oneās hair out when the podcast host keeps giving everything away!)
Myra: Antonio? There is no need to be strappando anything. Iām just introducing the next section.
Antonio:
Ma non ti stai dimenticando qualcosa?
(But arenāt you forgetting something?)
Myra:
Iām forgetting something? Like what?
Antonio:
Qualcosa dobbiamo pur lasciarlo ai nostri sostenitori paganti, no?
(We have to leave something for our paying supporters, donāt we?)
Myra:
Ah yes, you have a point there.
Carissimi ascoltatori, if youād like access to the rest of this bonus episodeāincluding two more vocabulary categories, interactive flashcards, and Antonioās dramatic finaleāyou can unlock everything by clicking Support the Show in the episode notes.
And to those of you who already support the podcast:
grazie di cuore. Your generosity helps keep this project going.
Antonio:
Io ci sarò. Ma solo per chi è pronto⦠a brindare con me.
(Iāll be there. But only for those who are ready⦠to raise a glass with me.)
Myra:
Grazie per aver seguito questa anteprima speciale dellāepisodio bonus.
(Thank you for listening to this special preview of the bonus episode.)
Ci sentiamo presto!
(Talk to you soon!)
Antonio:
Cin cin! Ai nostri ascoltatori.
(Cheers! To our listeners.)