In difficult conversations, using the right phrase can make all the difference. This deck teaches you fixed Italian expressions to politely frame problems, refuse requests, and persist when you need a solution, all without causing offence.

Let's start with phrases for politely framing a problem. To soften a complaint or bad news, you can begin with 'Mi dispiace, ma...'. This translates to 'I'm sorry, but...' and signals that you're about to raise an issue.

To show that you are listening before you disagree or present a counter-argument, you can use 'Capisco, però...'. It means 'I understand, however...' and is a great way to acknowledge the other person's point of view first.

To keep a difficult conversation focused on a shared solution, you can ask ‘Come possiamo risolvere il problema?’. This means ‘How can we solve the problem?’ and sounds collaborative rather than confrontational.