Why don’t…?
| Perché non noleggiamo una macchina? | Why don’t we hire a car? |
| Perché non prendiamo la metropolitana? | Why don’t we take the underground? |
| Perché non chiediamo al conducente? | Why don’t we ask the driver? |
You can make a suggestion using E se…? (How about…?) which is followed by a verb in the imperfect subjunctive. For more information on the subjunctive, see here.
How about…?
| E se prendessimo l’autostrada? | How about going on the motorway? |
| E se ci andassimo in traghetto? | How about taking the ferry? |
| E se passassimo per Riccione? | How about going via Riccione? |
…if you like
| Ti posso dare un passaggio, se vuoi. | I can give you a lift, if you like. |
| Possiamo chiedere al controllore, se vuole. | We can ask the ticket inspector, if You like. |
| Se vuole possiamo dividere un taxi per l’aeroporto. | We can share a taxi to the airport, if You like. |
ASKING FOR INFORMATION
When you are travelling around in Italy, you will often need some information to help you get to where you want to go. When you are asking for information you may need to get someone’s attention in order to ask them a question. To do this you can use Scusi… or Mi scusi…, if addressing an adult, or Scusa…, if you’re addressing somebody younger.
Excuse me…
| Scusi, cerco la stazione. | Excuse me, I’m looking for the station. |
| Scusi, cerco il municipio. | Excuse me, I’m looking for the town hall. |
| Mi scusi, cerco la piazza principale. | Excuse me, I’m looking for the main square. |
BUONO A SAPERSI!
Remember to say grazie or tante grazie when you get the information. If someone hasn’t been able to help you, you can still thank them by saying grazie lo stesso (thanks all the same).
If you want to ask a general question, you can use È…? (Is it…?).
Is it…?
| È di qua? | Is it this way? |
| È vicino? | Is it near here? |
| È lontano? | Is it far? |
| È questo il treno per Lecce? | Is this the train for Lecce? |
| È questa la fermata per il museo? | Is this the stop for the museum? |
| È libero questo posto? | Is this seat free? |
Is there…?
| C’è un distributore nei paraggi, per favore? | Is there a petrol station near here, please? |
| C’è una stazione della metropolitana qui vicino? | Is there an underground station near here? |
| C’è una riduzione per studenti? | Is there a student discount? |
| Ci sono ristoranti in questa zona? | Are there any restaurants around here? |
In order to get more specific information, you may want to ask, for example, Dove…? (Where…?), Quale…? (Which…?), or A che ora…? (What time…?).
Where…?
| Dov’è il deposito bagagli? | Where’s the left-luggage office? |
| Dov’è il più vicino posteggio di taxi, per favore? | Where’s the nearest taxi rank, please? |
| Dove sono le toilettes? | Where are the public toilets? |
Which…?
| Quale linea devo prendere, per favore? | Which line do I take, please? |
| Quali autobus vanno in centro? | Which buses go to the town centre? |
| Da quale binario parte il treno per Pisa? | Which platform does the train for Pisa go from? |
| Scusi, in che direzione è Treviso, per favore? | Excuse me, which way do I go for Treviso, please? |
| In che direzione è l’Arena, per favore? | Which way is it to the Arena, please? |
What time…?
| A che ora è l’imbarco? | What time do we board? |
| A che ora parte il treno? | What time does the train leave? |
| A che ora arriviamo a Bologna? | What time do we get to Bologna? |
How often…?
| Con quale frequenza partono le corriere per Trento? | How often is there a bus for Trento? |
| Con quale frequenza partono i voli per Londra? | How often is there a flight to London? |
| Ogni quanti chilometri bisogna fare il pieno? | How often do you have to fill up? |
| Quante soste facciamo per strada? | How often do we stop on the way? |
How long…?
| Quanto ci si mette? | How long does it take? |
| Quanto ci si mette per arrivare in stazione? | How long does it take to get to the railway station? |
| Quanto ci si mette per andare da Rovigo a Verona? | How long does it take to get from Rovigo to Verona? |
| Quanto ci mettiamo per arrivare? | How long will it take us to get there? |
How much is…?
| Quanto costa un biglietto per Cagliari? | How much is a ticket to Cagliari? |
| Quanto si paga di autostrada da Milano a Pisa? | How much is the motorway toll between Milan and Pisa? |
| Quanto costa lasciare la valigia al deposito bagagli? | How much does it cost to leave a suitcase in left-luggage? |
| Quanto costerebbe affittare una macchina per due giorni? | How much would it cost to hire a car for two days? |
Use Posso…? (Can I…?) or Si può…? (Can you…?) to ask whether you can do something, or if something is generally possible. These are from the verb potere (to be able). For more information on potere, see here.
Can I…?
| Posso noleggiare una macchina per una giornata? | Can I hire a car for one day? |
| Possiamo cambiare il biglietto in Internet? | Can we change our tickets online? |
| Ci si può andare a piedi? | Can you walk there? |
| Si può fumare in treno? | Can you smoke on the train? |
| Si può pagare con la carta di credito? | Is it possible to pay by credit card? |
ASKING FOR THINGS
When asking for something, you can use Mi dà…? (Can I have…?) or Potrebbe darmi…? (Could I have…?). These come from the verb dare (to give). For more information on dare, see here.
Can I have…?
| Mi dà una piantina della metropolitana, per favore? | Can I have a map of the underground, please? |
| Mi dà un abbonamento settimanale, per favore? | Can I have a weekly pass, please? |
| Potrebbe darmi l’orario ferroviario, per favore? | Could I have a train timetable, please? |
Often, just as in English, you can leave out Mi dà…? or Potrebbe darmi…? and just ask directly for what you need.
A…, please
| Un biglietto di sola andata, per favore. | A single, please. |
| Un posto vicino al finestrino, per favore. | A window seat, please. |
| Una cabina per 2 persone, per favore. | A cabin for two, please. |
| Tre biglietti andata e ritorno per Como. | Three returns to Como. |
When you want to find out if something is available, or if someone has something, use Ha…? (Have you got…?) or, more informally, Hai…?. Use Avete..? if you are asking more than one person. These come from the verb avere (to have). For more information on avere, see here.
Have you got…?
| Ha l’orario degli autobus? | Have You got the bus timetable? |
| Ha una cartina che mostra come arrivarci, per favore? | Have You got a map that shows how to get there, please? |
| Hai l’ora, per favore? | Have you got the time, please? |
| Avete l’orario dei traghetti? | Have you got the timetable for the ferry, please? |
If you are asking someone if they can do something for you, you should use Può…? (Can you…?), although può can also be left out.
Can you…?
| Mi può avvisare quando stiamo per arrivare alla fermata per il museo? | Can You tell me when we’re near the museum stop? |
| Mi può lasciare qui, per favore? | Can You drop me here, please? |
| Ci può portare all’Hotel Duomo, per favore? | Can You take us to Hotel Duomo, please? |
| Ci mostra dov’è sulla piantina? | Can You show us where it is on the map? |
Would you mind…?
| Le dispiacerebbe scrivere l’indirizzo? | Would You mind writing down the address? |
| Le dispiacerebbe lasciarmi all’albergo? | Would You mind dropping me at my hotel? |
| Le dispiacerebbe mostrarci dov’è? | Would You mind showing us where it is? |
SAYING WHAT YOU LIKE, DISLIKE, PREFER
You will want to be able to discuss what you like and dislike with your Italian-speaking acquaintances. To say what you like, use mi piace (I like) with singular nouns and mi piacciono with plural nouns. To say what you don’t like, use non mi piace or non mi piacciono (I don’t like) These come from the verb piacere.
I like…
| Mi piace viaggiare in treno. | I like travelling by train. |
| Mi piacciono queste stradine di campagna. | I like these country roads. |
| Mi piace molto viaggiare in nave. | I really like travelling by boat. |
| Mi piace tantissimo viaggiare in aereo. | I love flying. |
I don’t like…
| Non mi piace guidare sulla destra. | I don’t like driving on the right. |
| Non mi piace guidare di notte. | I don’t like driving at night. |
| Non mi piacciono le macchine col cambio automatico. | I don’t like automatics. |
I hate…
| Odio i motorini. | I hate scooters. |
| Odio le cartine! | I hate maps! |
| Detesto dover chiedere indicazioni. | I hate having to ask for directions. |
Do you like…?
| Ti piace viaggiare in aereo? | Do you like flying? |
| Ti piace viaggiare da sola? | Do you like travelling by yourself? |
| Le piace questa regione? | Do You like this area? |
| Le piacciono i viaggi organizzati? | Do You like organized tours? |
If you want to say what you prefer, use preferisco (I prefer) or preferirei (I’d prefer). These come from the verb preferire (to prefer). For more information on -ire verbs like preferire, see here.
I prefer to…
| Preferisco viaggiare in aereo. | I prefer to fly. |
| Preferisco prendere l’autostrada. | I prefer to go on the motorway. |
I’d rather…
| Preferirei viaggiare col bel tempo. | I’d rather make the journey in good weather. |
| Preferirei sedermi vicino al finestrino. | I’d rather sit next to the window. |
| Preferirei non lasciare qui la mia macchina. | I’d rather not leave my car here. |
| Preferiremmo guidare di giorno. | We’d rather drive in the daytime. |
LISTEN OUT FOR
Here are some key phrases which you are likely to hear when you’re travelling about.
| Prossima fermata: … | Next stop: … |
| Il treno diretto per Bologna centrale parte dal binario tre. | The train for Bologna centrale leaves from platform three. |
| Si deve convalidare il biglietto in stazione. | You must stamp your ticket at the station. |
| Biglietto, prego. | Ticket, please. |
| Le dispiace se mi siedo qui? | Do you mind if I sit here? |
| Continui dritto fino al semaforo. | Go straight on till You get to the traffic lights. |
| Prenda la seconda a sinistra. | Take the second turning on the left. |
| È difronte alla cattedrale. | It’s opposite the cathedral. |
| È vicinissimo. | It’s very near. |
| Ha sbagliato strada. | You’ve gone the wrong way. |
| Ci si può andare a piedi. | It’s within walking distance. |
| È fra tre fermate. | It’s three stops from here. |
| Imbarco immediato, uscita 3. | Now boarding at gate 3. |
Lifestyle Tips
• If you’re behind the wheel of a car, be ready to produce your driving licence if asked for it by the police. If you haven’t got it with you, you may well be fined. The police officer might ask you: patente, prego (your driving licence, please). Italian drivers also have to be able to produce their libretto di circolazione (registration document) and their assicurazione (insurance certificate).
• Motorways are not free in Italy. When you go onto the motorway, you get a biglietto. When you come off the motorway this will show how many kilometres you’ve driven and how much you have to pay (il pedaggio). Telepass is an electronic toll collection system used to collect il pedaggio and gives access to reserved lanes.
• If you’re asked to produce your biglietto on the bus, the train or the underground, it means that you have to show your ticket to the inspector.
• Generally, you have to buy your ticket before getting on a bus. Once on board the bus, you date-stamp the ticket by punching it in a machine. You can buy tickets at newsagents and many tobacconists. If you are staying in a place for some time, it may be worth buying an abbonamento, which will last a week or a month from when it is first stamped.
• Train tickets need to be punched before you get on a train. Tickets are only valid if date-stamped, so if you have forgotten to do this, it is advisable to go and see il controllore (the ticket inspector) as soon as possible, or you might be fined.
• If you’re in a hurry, you can hop on the train and buy a ticket directly from a ticket inspector. This will cost you more, however. If you contact the inspector as soon as you get on the train or before the first stop the fine is around 5 €; otherwise you’ll be faced with a more expensive fine of 60 € or more.
• Queues tend to be informal in Italy. So if you’re trying to get to an information desk and don’t know if it’s your turn, just ask Tocca a me?. If you want to let someone in before you, you can say prego, dopo di lei (after you).
Home from home
Buonanotte! – Sleep well!
If you’re going to stay in Italy, the phrases in this unit will provide you with the language you need to help you find the sort of accommodation you want and ensure everything is to your satisfaction when you’re there. We’ll also give you a few tips on what the receptionist or your landlord or landlady may say to you.
ASKING FOR THINGS
To say what kind of accommodation you want in Italian, use vorrei (I’d like), or, if you want to be slightly more direct, voglio (I want). These come from the verb volere (to want). For more information on volere, see here.
I’d like…
| Vorrei una stanza con balcone. | I’d like a room with a balcony. |
| Vorrei prenotare una camera doppia per due notti. | I’d like to book a double room for two nights. |
| Vorrei fermarmi tre notti. | I’d like to stay three nights. |
| Vorrei prenotare una stanza nel vostro agriturismo per due settimane. | I’d like to book a room in your agriturismo for two weeks. |
I want…
| Voglio un appartamento luminoso. | I want a flat with plenty of light. |
| Voglio cambiare stanza; quella che mi avete dato è troppo rumorosa. | I want to change rooms; the one you gave me is too noisy. |
| Voglio un rimborso. | I want a refund. |
| Non vogliamo una stanza che dia sulla strada. | We don’t want a room overlooking the road. |
When you want to find out if something is available, use Avete…? (Do you have…?) or Avreste…? (Would you have…?). These come from the verb avere (to have). For more information on avere, see here.
Do you have…?
| Avete informazioni su dove alloggiare? | Do you have any information about accommodation? |
| Avete camere libere? | Have you got any rooms free? |
| Avreste degli asciugamani, per favore? | Would you have any towels, please? |
| C’è accesso ad Internet? | Have you got internet access? |
If you want to ask for something, you can use Mi dà..? (Can I have…?).
Can I have…?
| Mi dà la chiave della stanza, per favore? | Can I have the key to my room, please? |
| Mi dà una ricevuta, per favore? | Can I have a receipt, please? |
| Ci dà una lista degli alloggi disponibili? | Can we have a list of available accommodation? |
| Mi potrebbe dare ancora due asciugamani? | Could I have two more towels? |
If you are asking someone whether they can do something for you, use Può…? (Can You…?) and Potrebbe…? (Could You…?) or, more informally, Puoi…? or Potresti…?. They all come from the verb potere (to be able). For more information on potere, see here.
Can you…?
| Può darmi conferma della prenotazione per posta elettronica? | Can You confirm the booking by email? |
| Mi può svegliare alle sette, per favore? | Can You give me an alarm call at seven o’clock, please? |
| Potrebbe cambiare gli asciugamani, per favore? | Could You change the towels, please? |
| Potrebbe farmi vedere la stanza, per favore? | Could You show me the room, please? |
Would you mind…?
| Le dispiacerebbe mostrarmi come funziona il forno? | Would You mind showing me how the oven works? |
| Le dispiacerebbe chiamarmi un taxi? | Would You mind calling a taxi for me? |
| Le dispiacerebbe portarmi la valigia in camera? | Would You mind taking my suitcases up to my room? |
TALKING ABOUT YOURSELF
When you are enquiring about somewhere to stay you will need to give information about yourself. Use sono (I am) to talk about yourself and siamo (we are) to include the people who are with you. These come from the verb essere (to be). For more information on essere, see here.
I’m…
| Sono una studentessa. | I’m a student. |
| Sono canadese. | I’m Canadian. |
| Sono del sud dell’Inghilterra. | I’m from the south of England. |
| Siamo in vacanza. | We’re on holiday. |
| Siamo i proprietari. | We’re the owners. |
My name is…
| Mi chiamo Brian Gallagher. | My name is Brian Gallagher. |
| Mi chiamo Olivia Green. | My name is Olivia Green. |
| Sono la signora Smith. Ho prenotato una stanza doppia per questa notte. | My name is Mrs Smith. I’ve booked a double room for tonight. |
| Il cognome è Morris… | My surname is Morris… |
| …e il nome è Emma. | …and my first name is Emma. |
| Si scrive M-O-R-R-I-S. | It’s spelt M-O-R-R-I-S. |
BUONO A SAPERSI!
Remember that the Italian alphabet is pronounced differently from the English alphabet. For more information on how to say letters of the alphabet in Italian, see here.
ASKING FOR INFORMATION
When you want to find something out about your accommodation, an easy way to ask questions is just to put È…? (Is…?) before what you want to know. Alternatively, you can simply make your voice go up at the end of the sentence.
Is it…?
| È caro? | Is it expensive? |
| È un hotel moderno? | Is it a modern hotel? |
| È lontano? | Is it far? |
| La colazione è compresa nel prezzo? | Is breakfast included in the price? |
| Le spese sono comprese nell’affitto? | Are bills included in the rent? |
You can use C’è…? in Italian to ask Is there…? and Ci sono…? to ask Are there…?.
Is there…?
| C’è un posto per mangiare qualcosa qui vicino? | Is there anywhere near here where we can get something to eat? |
| C’è un ascensore? | Is there a lift? |
| C’è un balcone? | Is there a balcony? |
| Ci sono toilettes per disabili? | Are there disabled toilets? |
Use cerco (I’m looking for) or cerchiamo (we’re looking for) to ask where something is. cerco comes from the verb cercare (to look for).
I’m looking for…
| Scusi, cerco il campeggio. | Excuse me, I’m looking for the campsite. |
| Cerco una pensione per stanotte. | I’m looking for a B&B for tonight. |
| Cerchiamo l’Hotel Bellini. | We’re looking for the Hotel Bellini. |
To get more specific information, you may need to ask Quale…? (What…?), Dove…? (Where…?) or A che ora…? (What time…?).
What…?
| Qual è l’indirizzo del proprietario? | What’s the landlord’s address? |
| Qual è il numero dell’agenzia immobiliare? | What’s the number for the letting agency? |
| Quale mi raccomanda? | Which one would You recommend? |
| Quali stanze hanno vista mare? | Which rooms have a sea view? |
BUONO A SAPERSI!
quale works for all singular nouns, whether masculine or feminine. It becomes qual before a word beginning with a vowel, as in Qual è…? (What’s…?).
Where…?
| Dov’è il bar? | Where’s the bar? |
| Dov’è la palestra? | Where’s the gym? |
| Dove sono gli ascensori? | Where are the lifts? |
| Dove trovo una presa per il portatile? | Where can I plug in my laptop? |
What time…?
| A che ora è servita la cena? | What time’s dinner? |
| A che ora chiudete il portone la sera? | What time do you lock the doors at night? |
| Entro che ora bisogna liberare la stanza? | What time do we have to vacate the room by? |
| Fino a che ora è servita la colazione? | What time do you serve breakfast till? |
