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How to Say ‘Excuse me, but the meter says thirty euros.’ in Italian

Scusi, ma il tassametro dice trenta euro.

Skoo-zee mah eel tas-SAH-meh-troh dee-che TREN-tah eh-oo-roh

[Skoo-zee mah eel tas-SAH-meh-troh dee-che TREN-tah eh-oo-roh]

🇮🇹 In Italy: Pointing to the meter is the standard, non-confrontational way to dispute a fare. Licensed taxis in Italy must run it unless a fixed tariff applies.

Phrase Breakdown

Scusi,

Skoo-zee

Excuse me,

The formal 'excuse me', used with strangers. Stress the first syllable: SCU-si.

Example

Scusi, dov'è il bagno?

Excuse me, where is the bathroom?

Words in this phrase

Scusi

[Skoo-zee]

Excuse me

A polite way to get someone's attention or apologize.

Example

Scusi, quanto costa?

Excuse me, how much does it cost?

ma il tassametro

mah eel tas-SAH-meh-troh

but the taxi meter

'Ma' means 'but'. In 'tassametro' the stress falls on the second syllable (tas-SA-me-tro), and the double 's' is held a little longer.

Example

Il tassametro è acceso.

The meter is on.

Words in this phrase

[mah]

But

Used to introduce something contrasting with what has already been mentioned.

Example

Voglio uscire, ma è tardi.

I want to go out, but it's late.

[eel]

the

Masculine singular definite article used before a masculine singular noun.

Example

Nella frase Il tempo personale, Il introduce il concetto di tempo privato.

In the phrase 'Il tempo personale,' 'Il' introduces the concept of private time.

tassametro

[tas-SAH-meh-troh]

taxi meter

Device that calculates a taxi fare.

Example

Accenda il tassametro, per favore.

Turn on the meter, please.

dice trenta euro.

dee-che TREN-tah eh-oo-roh

says thirty euros.

'Dice' means 'says' and sounds like DEE-che. Roll or tap the 'r' in 'trenta'.

Example

Il prezzo dice trenta euro.

The price says thirty euros.

Words in this phrase

dice

[dee-che]

says

Third person singular form of the verb to say.

Example

Dice che arriverà presto.

He says he will arrive soon.

trenta

[TREN-tah]

thirty

A number meaning 'thirty.'

Example

Trenta minuti prima è il minimo richiesto.

Thirty minutes before is the minimum required.

euro

[eh-oo-roh]

euro

Currency used in many European countries.

Example

Mi servono cinque euro per il caffè.

I need five euros for the coffee.

Guides for Italian learners

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