“Prego”

By: Vince

Each culture has a word you hear a lot.  A “staple” word that can be used for many different things.  For the Italians, “prego” can be heard all the time!

I know what you’re thinking.  “How can a jarred tomato sauce be a very used word?” I did too many years ago.  No, the word does not mean tomato sauce.  It means lots of different things.

1. Google translate will show you the most common meaning is, “You’re Welcome”. “Thank you for opening the door”…..Prego.  “Thank you for this delicious Spumoni”…Prego

2. It can also mean, “Go ahead”. “Can I please have a biscotti?”….Prego.   “Would you mind if I went in front of you?”…..Prego

3. It can also means, “Come on in.”  Let me give you an example.  You go to a restaurant and wait at the host stand to be greeted (hosts in Italy are rare so don’t be hurt when you don’t see a smiling face at the front host stand as you would at Gaetano’s).  A server from across the room, points to a table and says “Prego”.   Or, let’s say you ask for permission to enter someone’s home.  It is usually followed with, “Prego”.

4. It also gives permission to use something. “Hey, can I borrow eggs”….Prego.  “Hey, can I take your daughter on a date”…Prego

5. Last form of Prego is “Excuse me” as in you don’t quite understand.  “I would like to buy your condo for five million euro”…Prego.   “We will be closing the museum early today, but thanks for waiting three hours in line.”…Prego.

Tired?  Me too.  Just know when visiting Italy this word is used all the time and everywhere.  If you’d like to use it, go ahead (prego).  The locals will love it!