Don’t say “prego”
If someone thanks you in Italian saying grazie, the most known answer to that is prego.
The word prego means “I pray/beg” and, it is used as an answer to grazie because it derives from the longer phrase “ti prego di non ringraziarmi” (I beg you not to thank me) that no one says anymore. For this reason, many italian native speakers, perceive it as just a recited formula, not very heartfelt. You can still use it in formal or semiformal environments, but there are more spontaneous alternatives for everyday use.
Di niente!
Figurati!
Ci mancherebbe!
è stato un piacere!
Quando vuoi!
These are different ways to express that whatever you are being thanked for, was not a burden for you, in fact it was nothing (di niente) or even a pleasure (è stato un piacere) and you would do it again anytime they want (quando vuoi)!
Much more effective expressions, aren’t they?
