Monday, 09:00 · Moka S.r.l., Milan
Hamstalk teaches you Italian one workday at a time: the standup, the bug, the coffee break. Five minutes a lesson, with a hamster cheering you on.
The Italian course is still being written. Until it opens, Hamstalk teaches German.
Already on the team? Sign in
Each lesson is one moment from the week. Here’s what Monday to Friday looks like.
Everyone says what they’re working on. You know exactly what you’re doing. You just can’t say it. Yet.
Cosa fai oggi?
What are you doing today?
Oggi lavoro alla pagina di login.
Today I’m working on the login page.
Hamsti’s tip: No io needed: lavoro already means “I work”.
The ticket makes no sense, and Marco looks busy. No sentence will help you more than the one that asks for help.
Marco, mi dai una mano?
Marco, can you give me a hand?
Certo! Che succede?
Sure! What’s up?
Hamsti’s tip: Mi dai una mano? (literally “give me a hand?”) is how colleagues ask for help.
There’s a bug in the sign-up form, and everyone’s looking at you. Describe it clearly, and the logs will do the rest.
Quando clicco su «Salva», compare un errore.
When I click “Save”, an error appears.
Ok, controllo i log.
OK, I’ll check the logs.
Hamsti’s tip: Italian often puts the verb before the subject: compare un errore.
Not everything is about work. Small talk is where you stop being the new person and start being a colleague.
Allora, come ti trovi a Milano?
So, how are you finding Milan?
Benissimo! Ma cercare casa è faticoso.
I love it! But flat hunting is tiring.
Hamsti’s tip: Come ti trovi? asks how you’re settling in.
Giulia reviews your code, and her comment is in Italian. You reply without opening a translator.
Mi sembra a posto! Puoi aggiungere un altro test?
Looks good to me! Could you add another test?
Giusto, lo faccio.
Good point, will do.
Hamsti’s tip: Puoi …? is a friendly way to ask for something.
Pull request approved. Buon fine settimana!
Every unit is a week like this one. Your role on the team grows with your Italian.
New to the team
Ciao, sono Sam. Sono qui da poco.
Part of the team
Ieri ho scritto i test.
Owning a feature
Secondo me il problema è nella cache.
Leading the discussion
Propongo di stabilizzare prima l’API.
In German, hamstern means to stockpile. Hamsti stockpiles every word you learn, and its cheeks fill up as your Italian grows.
Puffs up its cheeks at every right answer
Sulks a little when you slip up
Dozes off if you skip a day
Dances when you finish a lesson
None at all. Your first Monday starts with Ciao.
No. You’ll also order coffee, book appointments and hunt for a flat. The office just gives every lesson a story.
Nope. The team in the story builds software, but the Italian you learn works just as well outside tech.
Yes. Hamstalk runs in your browser and installs to your home screen like an app.
Longer than a week, honestly. The path goes up to B2, and how fast you climb depends on how often you practise. Official certificates still come from official exams.
Invitation
Daily Standup
Bring your Italian, even if it’s just Ciao.
Try the German courseAlready on the team? Sign in