Why learn Italian? If you've ever asked yourself that question, then you're in the right place.
When you decide to devote the time and energy it takes to become fluent in Italian, you need to be sure you're passionate about it. And that suits your plans for life and your interests.
Italian is a beautiful language and a useful one. It just might be the ideal language for you to study. That's why I’ve compiled this list of eight powerful reasons to learn Italian that will change your life.
From Italian food, to art, literature and opera, by the end of this post, you'll know your own personal answer to the question: why learn Italian?
Pro Tip
By the way, if you want to learn Italian in a highly effective but unconventional way, my top recommendation is Italian Uncovered which teaches you through the power of story.
With Italian Uncovered, you’ll use my StoryLearning® method to learn Italian through stories… not rules.
If you’re ready to start, click here for a 7-day FREE trial.
Anyway, back to the question at hand… why learn Italian? By the way, if you prefer watching videos, check out the video version of this post at the top of the page. Otherwise, keep scrolling to read the blog post version and find out: why learn Italian?
Table of Contents
1. Go On The Journey Of A Lifetime…To Italy
Wanting to travel to Italy is the #1 reason people choose to learn Italian. From the rolling hills of Tuscany, to the canals of Venice, to the astoundingly gorgeous beaches of Cinque Terre, Italy is full of intoxicatingly gorgeous landscapes.
It abounds with:
- fascinating history
- great museums
- delicious food
- and so much more
So it’s no wonder Italy is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world.
Travelling is always a more fun and rewarding experience when you can communicate with the locals in their own language.
It makes every part of your trip easier, whether you’re booking travel by train or ordering dinner in a restaurant. You can also have more authentic cultural experiences when you can communicate with the locals.
Many Italian people are eager to share their beautiful country and culture with travellers. And if you’re able to speak Italian, you’ll be better equipped to take advantage of these opportunities.
By the way, if you're planning a trip to Italy, then you'll love these Italian travel phrases to use when you're there.
2. Connect Better With Italians And Make Friends
Approximately 63 million people around the world speak Italian as their first language. It's ranked as the 20th most-spoken language in the world. That's pretty high on the list when you consider that there are around 6,500 different languages spoken in the world today.
Italy is not the only Italian-speaking country – it's also one of the official languages of Switzerland and parts of Croatia and Slovenia. There are Italian speakers living in almost every corner of the world, from Canada to Venezuela to the Philippines.
If you learn Italian, you'll be able to communicate with 63 million more people than you could before. That’s 63 million more potential friendships.
63 million more people who could:
- make you laugh
- share their insight with you
- or tell you a story.
If you’re passionate about friendships and want to be able to connect with more people, then learning Italian might be the perfect fit for you.
3. World-Famous Italian Dishes
Italy is revered around the world for having one of the best cuisines of any country. Pizza and pasta both originated in Italy.
Italians are the masters of
- pesto
- carbonara
- ravioli
- and risotto
Italy is also home to fabulous desserts like
- gelato
- tiramisu
- zeppole
- and the cannoli
It's a country known for its excellent wine and one-of-a-kind coffee tradition.
It’s no surprise that many passionate foodies decide to learn Italian. Some of them want to learn to spin pizza dough alongside the best of the best in Naples. Others just want to better understand the etymology behind their favourite dishes.
Did you know saltimbocca – the Italian dish consisting of veal wrapped in prosciutto and sage – translates to “jumps in the mouth”? Because it’s just that good!
4. World-Renowned Italian Opera
Many opera singers and opera aficionados choose to learn Italian. During the Renaissance, Italy was the birthplace of the opera.
Italian is a lilting language that lends itself well to musicality. Many of the most well-known operatic works were composed in Italian.
Opera lovers are sure to recognise many Italian names, such as:
- Puccini
- Verdi
- Rossini,
- and Bellini.
Even Mozart, who was Austrian, wrote many of his operas in Italian.
If you’re a singer, learning Italian will help you get your pronunciation just right when you perform Nessun Dorma or O Mio Bambino Caro.
If you’re more comfortable in the audience, you can listen to the music and understand the stories without using those pesky, distracting subtitles.
Interested in learning Italian and opera? In my interview with Gabe Wyner, author, polyglot and opera signer we talk all about learning Italian through opera.
5. Italian: A Must-Learn For Art Lovers
Italian is the best language for art-lovers to learn. It's invaluable in the modern art world and can also help you in studying art history.
Imagine being able to read Leonardo da Vinci’s notebooks without the help of a translator.
If you learn Italian, you can understand the titles of great paintings like Boticelli’s Primavera (Springtime) as you make your way through museums, without pausing to consult a guide.
You can communicate easily when you visit the Uffizi Gallery in Florence or the Borghese Gallery in Rome.
6. Incredible Italian Literature To Read Translation-Free
What about reading great works of literature in their original forms?
Even in the best translations, something can be lost. If you value the power of words and storytelling (I certainly do, which is why I teach through the StoryLearning® method), you understand how valuable it can be to read a text in its original version.
Learning Italian will unlock the doors to many incredible works of literature. You can read classic gems like
- Dante’s Divina Commedia (Divine Comedy) including:
- Inferno (Hell)
- Purgatorio (Purgatory)
- and Paradiso (Heaven)
You could also read more modern works like:
- Italo Calvino’s Le città invisibili (Invisible Cities)
- Umberto Eco’s Il nome della rosa (The Name of the Rose)
- or Elena Ferrante’s recent bestselling “Neapolitan Quartet”
If you're new to reading in Italian, or you're after some book recommendations, check out my guide to the top Italian language books to boost your fluency.
7. Why Italian Is The Most Stylish Language
If you’re interested in working in the fashion industry, Milan is the place to be. Did you know that many people consider it the fashion capital of the world?
You'll find many up-and-coming fashion houses there, as well as classics like:
- Armani
- Versace
- and Valentino.
The semi-annual Milan fashion week, established in 1958, draws global attention on a scale similar to London Fashion Week, Paris Fashion Week, and New York Fashion Week.
Whether you want to work as a designer, a buyer, an art director, or even a model, speaking Italian can be hugely beneficial for your career in fashion.
Even if you’re not planning to move to Milan for your career, having Italian proficiency on your resume is a huge plus for fashion industry jobs around the globe.
8. Discover Fascinating Italian History
Are you a history buff? In which case, Italian is right up your street. Whether you’re researching for academic purposes or just for fun, understanding Italian will allow you to understand primary resources from many fascinating eras throughout history.
- Just imagine reading an Italian soldier’s letters home to his mother during the Spanish Civil War?
- Or what if you could read the correspondence of the Medici bankers of Florence from the 15th century?
With a language as old and storied as Italian, the possibilities for a curious history buff are endless. And Italian language history is pretty fascinating too!
Why Learn Italian FAQ
Why is learning Italian useful?
Learning Italian is useful for understanding Italian culture, art, music, and cuisine.
It also makes travelling to Italy more enjoyable and provides access to its rich history and literature.
Additionally, Italian is beneficial for careers in fashion, design, and international business.
Is it better to learn Italian or Spanish?
The choice between Italian and Spanish depends on your goals.
Spanish is more widely spoken globally, making it practical for travel and business in multiple countries.
Italian, however, is ideal if you are passionate about Italy’s culture, arts, or specific industries like fashion or culinary arts.
Why do you want to learn Italian?
People often learn Italian to connect with Italian heritage, enhance travel experiences, or appreciate Italian art, music, and opera.
Others are drawn by Italy’s reputation for exquisite cuisine, design, and history. Learning Italian also provides personal and professional opportunities.
Is it better to learn French or Italian?
Both French and Italian have unique advantages. French is more widely spoken, offering opportunities in diplomacy, business, and global communication.
Italian is better if you’re interested in Italian culture, arts, or want to connect with Italy’s creative industries like fashion or design. Choose based on your interests and goals.
Embark On Your Amazing Italian Journey With Italian Uncovered
Whether you’re a foodie, a fashionista, or you just really want to be prepared for your visit to the Sistine Chapel, I hope this article has inspired you to embark upon the amazing journey of learning Italian.
Learning any language is an adventure. And Italian is particularly special because of the access it gives you to culture, the arts, and history.
When it comes down to it, no matter your motivations, learning a new language is always about communication. And gaining access to new places and things through the people you can communicate with is an awesome bonus.
There is no better way to honour a culture than by learning its language.
If you want to get started with learning Italian, there's no better way to do it than with Italian Uncovered, my story-based course to take you from beginner to intermediate level in Italian.
It's based on the reading and listening method I tested during my Italian Project, where I learned Italian without touching a textbook or memorising verb tables.
If that sounds like a language learning method you'd like to try, click here to find out more and try it out for free!
Olly Richards
Creator of the StoryLearning® Method
Olly Richards is a renowned polyglot and language learning expert with over 15 years of experience teaching millions through his innovative StoryLearning® method. He is the creator of StoryLearning, one of the world's largest language learning blogs with 500,000+ monthly readers.
Olly has authored 30+ language learning books and courses, including the bestselling "Short Stories" series published by Teach Yourself.
When not developing new teaching methods, Richards practices what he preaches—he speaks 8 languages fluently and continues learning new ones through his own methodology.
