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How to Say ‘On Thursday I have openings at ten or at four.’ in Italian

Giovedì ho posto alle dieci o alle quattro.

joe-veh-DEE oh POHS-toh AHL-leh DYAY-chee oh AHL-leh KWAHT-troh

[joe-veh-DEE oh POHS-toh AHL-leh DYAY-chee oh AHL-leh KWAHT-troh]

🇮🇹 In Italy: In conversation Italians say times on the 12-hour clock, like alle quattro, and leave context to show it's afternoon. The 24-hour alle sedici "at sixteen" shows up mostly in written schedules.

Phrase Breakdown

Giovedì ho posto

joe-veh-DEE oh POHS-toh

On Thursday I have a free slot

'Ho posto' literally means 'I have space', so it means there is availability. The H in 'ho' is silent: jo-ve-DEE o PO-sto.

Example

Sabato non ho posto.

On Saturday I have no availability.

Words in this phrase

Giovedì

[joe-veh-DEE]

Thursday

The day of the week following Wednesday.

Example

Giovedì andiamo al cinema.

We go to the cinema on Thursday.

[oh]

I have

First person singular of avere, used with a past participle to form the present perfect.

Example

Ho parlato con tre aziende oggi.

I have spoken with three companies today.

posto

[POHS-toh]

space; availability

In restaurant context, posto means a seat, place, or available space.

Example

Stasera abbiamo posto solo in terrazza.

Tonight we have space only on the terrace.

alle dieci

AHL-leh DYAY-chee

at ten

'Alle' means 'at the' and is used with clock times. Pronounce the double L clearly: AL-le DYE-chee.

Example

Il negozio apre alle dieci.

The shop opens at ten.

Words in this phrase

alle

[AHL-leh]

at the; at

Introduces a clock time in Italian.

Example

Sabato alle otto c'è posto per due.

Saturday at eight there is space for two.

dieci

[DYAY-chee]

Ten

The number equivalent to the sum of nine and one.

Example

Ho dieci libri.

I have ten books.

o alle quattro.

oh AHL-leh KWAHT-troh

or at four.

'O' means 'or'. In 'quattro', hold the double T: KWAT-tro.

Example

Ci vediamo alle tre o alle quattro.

We'll meet at three or at four.

Words in this phrase

[oh]

Used to offer an alternative, often in a playful contrast.

Example

"O" sei sempre così spiritosa o è solo stasera?

"Or" are you always this witty, or is it just tonight?

alle

[AHL-leh]

at the; at

Introduces a clock time in Italian.

Example

Sabato alle otto c'è posto per due.

Saturday at eight there is space for two.

quattro

[KWAHT-troh]

four

The number four, used to count guests or places.

Example

Il tavolo è pronto per quattro persone.

The table is ready for four people.

Guides for Italian learners

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