Skip to content
A2 ItalianBilingual ReaderCuisine and Wine

Cena alla pizzeria

Marco calls the neighborhood pizzeria, already imagining the aroma of tomato and basil, and politely asks for a quiet table by the window for two people at quarter to eight.

Illustration for the A2 story "Cena alla pizzeria": Marco prenota un tavolo, chiede consigli educati alla cameriera e assapora una margherita calda senza distrarsi dal telefono.

What you'll learn

  • Bilingual graded story
  • Native narration
  • 7 useful words
  • 4 comprehension questions

Then shadow

Borrow the narrator’s rhythm

Pause after this line and repeat it aloud without translating. Aim for three clean repetitions.

1Listen first

Hear the whole story

Native Italian narration of this exact text. Keep the transcript visible on the first pass.

0:00–:––
Playback speed: Natural

2Then shadow

Marco chiama la pizzeria del quartiere, già immaginando il profumo di pomodoro e basilico, e chiede gentilmente un tavolo tranquillo vicino alla finestra per due persone alle otto meno un quarto.

Warm-up vocabulary

Preview 1 optional words before reading
prenotare
to reserve
“Marco vuole prenotare un tavolo per cena.”

Your Italian story

Tap highlighted words when you need help

Story + translation + quiz

Marco chiama la pizzeria del quartiere, già immaginando il profumo di pomodoro e basilico, e chiede gentilmente un tavolo tranquillo vicino alla finestra per due persone alle otto meno un quarto. La voce dalla , calda come il , conferma la prenotazione e aggiunge che potranno ordinare le pizze appena arrivano. Quando Marco e sua sorella Elena entrano, ringraziano la sorridente che li accompagna al tavolo e ordinano due pizze margherite, acqua naturale e una birra piccola da dividere. Marco legge con attenzione le note sul che descrivono la farina integrale e il che il pizzaiolo utilizza ogni giorno. Appena arrivano le pizze fumanti, i due le tagliano con il coltello e le gustano lentamente, assaporando ogni morso senza distrarsi con il telefono.

Show full English translation

Marco calls the neighborhood pizzeria, already imagining the aroma of tomato and basil, and politely asks for a quiet table by the window for two people at quarter to eight. The voice on the receiver, warm as the oven, confirms the reservation and adds that they can order the margherita pizzas as soon as they arrive. When Marco and his sister Elena enter, they thank the smiling waitress who shows them to their table and order two margherita pizzas, still water, and a small beer to share. Marco carefully reads the menu notes describing the whole-grain flour and sourdough starter that the pizza maker uses every day. As soon as the steaming pizzas arrive, the two cut them with a knife and savor them slowly, enjoying every bite without being distracted by the phone.

Reading Comprehension Exercise

A2 Italian Reading Comprehension Exercises

1. What does Marco ask for on the phone?

2. What do they order to drink at the start?

3. How do they eat the pizza when it arrives?

4. Sfida: Perché Marco preferisce un tavolo vicino alla finestra?

Nailed the quiz? Start your own story in MeloLingua →

Free story vs. the app

One story. The whole practice loop.

Reading this story for free is just the first rep. The MeloLingua app turns the same story into a full practice loop — understand every word, speak it back, build sentences, and keep stories coming that match what you actually care about.

Understand every sentence instantly

Free · This storyBilingual reader, tap to translate
MeloLingua appInteractive reader with word-by-word explanations

Know exactly why each word works

Free · This storyBasic translation in context
MeloLingua appTranslation, grammar, conjugation & usage examples

Train your ear with native audio

Free · This storyStudio narration — slow, normal, fast
MeloLingua appListen, follow along, and shadow the narrator

Speak like a native while reading

Free · This storyRead aloud on your own
MeloLingua appReal-time pronunciation feedback

Turn what you read into what you can say

Free · This storyNot included
MeloLingua appBuild sentences from the story you just read

Never forget today's vocabulary

Free · This storyIn-story glossary + comprehension quiz
MeloLingua appFlashcards & spaced review from story lines

Read stories about your real life

Free · This storyNot included
MeloLingua appStories matched to your level and interests

Feel yourself improve every day

Free · This storyNot included
MeloLingua appStreaks, goals, and your full learning history

Result

Free · This storyEnjoy a great story
MeloLingua appActually speak with confidence
Personalized stories

Make stories aboutyour life

Most language apps hand everyone the same content. MeloLingua lets you create stories around the things you actually enjoy — so staying consistent stops feeling like homework.

  • “I love space and cooking”
    Your story

    A chef opens the first restaurant on Mars.

  • “I like football and history”
    Your story

    A young striker time-travels to play the legendary teams.

  • “I enjoy surfing and travel”
    Your story

    A surfer hunts secret waves across the world.

  • “I like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and sci-fi”
    Your story

    An astronaut enters the first intergalactic grappling tournament.

Read it. Listen to it. Speak it back. The more it sounds likeyour world, the easier it is to keep going.

Generate your first story

Make it yours

Your next Italian story is one tap away

Turn today's read into a daily habit — personalized scenes, native audio, tap-to-translate vocabulary, and speaking drills matched to what you just understood.

Join iOS waitlist

Keep reading on-site