Basic directions: Asking for directions

💬 Posso + a basic verb is an easy way to ask "can I...?". For example, Posso pagare con la carta? "Can I pay by card?"

💬 Italian says sono "they are" here because minuti is plural, where English says "it's". Same pattern: Sono le tre "It's three o'clock".

💬 Literally "from which side?". parte here means "side" or "direction", not "part".

💬 devo "I have to" goes in front of the basic verb, just like "must" in English. For example, Devo cambiare treno? "Do I have to change trains?"

💬 The double tt is held a beat longer: (DREET-toh). You'll also hear diritto, which means the same thing.

💬 Vada is the polite "go" that people use when giving directions to a stranger. With a friend you'd hear vai.

💬 al is a + il merged into one word. In the same way, fino alla chiesa means "as far as the church", where alla is a + la.

💬 Don't mix up destra "right" and sinistra "left" with dritto "straight"; they sound alike when said fast. Many people point as they talk, so watch their hands.

💬 Giri is the polite "turn" said to a stranger. Swap in a sinistra "to the left" for the other direction.

💬 in fondo a means "at the end of" or "at the bottom of". It works for a corridor too: in fondo al corridoio "at the end of the corridor".

💬 mille literally means "a thousand", so this is "a thousand thanks".

🇮🇹 Adding molto gentile after thanks is a warm, polite touch that strangers appreciate. It suits shopkeepers and passers-by alike.

🇮🇹 Prego is a multitasker: you'll also hear it from shop staff meaning "go ahead" or "can I help you?", and when someone holds a door for you.

💬 Literally "imagine", but it works like "not at all". Si figuri is the polite form for strangers; with friends it's figurati.

🇮🇹 A common friendly send-off from strangers and shop staff. Later in the day it becomes buona serata "have a nice evening".

💬 Handy reply to any good wish, like Buona giornata! or Buon appetito! "Enjoy your meal!". It saves you from repeating the whole wish back.