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How to Say ‘Thank you, ma'am, but I'm already full.’ in Italian

Grazie, signora, ma sono già pieno.

GRAHT-syeh seen-YOH-rah mah SOH-noh jah PYEH-noh

[GRAHT-syeh seen-YOH-rah mah SOH-noh jah PYEH-noh]

🇮🇹 In Italy: Saying you're full is the gentlest way to refuse more food. It praises the meal instead of rejecting it, though at Christmas the host may still push.

Phrase Breakdown

Grazie, signora,

GRAHT-syeh seen-YOH-rah

Thank you, madam,

A polite thank-you to a woman. Say 'GRAH-tsyeh' (the z sounds like 'ts'). In 'signora', 'gn' sounds like the 'ny' in 'canyon': 'see-NYOH-rah'.

Example

Grazie, signora, è molto gentile.

Thank you, madam, you are very kind.

Words in this phrase

Grazie

[GRAHT-syeh]

thank you

The standard word for thanks.

Example

Grazie per il panino.

Thanks for the sandwich.

signora

[seen-YOH-rah]

madam / ma'am

Polite form of address for a woman, used directly when speaking to her.

Example

Buongiorno, signora!

Good morning, madam!

ma sono già pieno.

mah SOH-noh jah PYEH-noh

but I'm already full.

'Già' means 'already' and is stressed on the final vowel: 'JAH'. 'Pieno' (full) is 'PYEH-noh'. A woman would say 'piena'.

Example

No, grazie, sono già pieno.

No, thanks, I'm already full.

Words in this phrase

[mah]

But

Used to introduce a contrasting statement or question.

Example

Ma non capisco perché ma allora lei è felice.

But I don't understand why but then she is happy.

sono

[SOH-noh]

I am

First person singular of essere, used to say who you are or where you are.

Example

Sono molto interessato alle opportunità di lavoro qui.

I am very interested in job opportunities here.

già

[jah]

already

An adverb used to say that something has happened before now.

Example

Hai già parlato con il recruiter dell'azienda?

Have you already spoken with the company recruiter?

pieno

[PYEH-noh]

full

Completely occupied; fully booked.

Example

Sabato è tutto pieno.

Saturday is fully booked.

Guides for Italian learners

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