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How to Say ‘Is it for here or to take away?’ in Italian

Lo prende qui o è da portare via?

lo PREN-deh kwee o eh dah por-TAH-reh VEE-ah

[lo PREN-deh kwee o eh dah por-TAH-reh VEE-ah]

🇮🇹 In Italy: Most Italians drink their coffee standing at the counter in a couple of minutes. Taking it away is far less common than in the UK or US.

Phrase Breakdown

Lo prende qui

lo PREN-deh kwee

Will you have it here

This is the first option of the question. Make a small pause after 'qui'.

Example

Lo prende qui, signore?

Will you have it here, sir?

Words in this phrase

[lo]

Used to refer to an object or thing mentioned earlier.

Example

Lo vedo ogni giorno.

I see it every day.

prende

[PREN-deh]

you take / you have (formal)

Present of 'prendere', formal 'you'; here 'have it' (consume).

Example

Cosa prende da bere?

What will you have to drink?

qui

[kwee]

here

Indicates this place; useful when talking about the current company or environment.

Example

"Qui" l'ambiente sembra molto collaborativo.

"Here" the environment seems very collaborative.

o è da portare via?

o eh dah por-TAH-reh VEE-ah

or is it to take away?

'o è' blends into 'o-eh'. Raise your voice on 'via'.

Example

Mangia qui o è da portare via?

Are you eating here or is it to go?

Words in this phrase

[o]

Used to link alternatives.

Example

Vuoi caffè o tè?

Do you want coffee or tea?

[eh]

Third-person singular of 'essere'; used to describe a person, company, or situation.

Example

Quando dici È in È molto umana, stai descrivendo l'azienda.

When you say 'È' in 'È molto umana,' you are describing the company.

[dah]

for (purpose)

Preposition showing the use or purpose of an object.

Example

Mi serve una tazza da tè.

I need a teacup.

portare

[por-TAH-reh]

to carry / to take

Infinitive verb; 'portare via' means to take away.

Example

Devo portare la borsa.

I have to carry the bag.

via

[VEE-ah]

Away

Indicates moving away or departing.

Example

Andiamo via!

Let's go away!

Guides for Italian learners

Duolingo vs Busuu: Which Is Better for Actually Improving?Duolingo vs Busuu compared: a free gamified habit versus structured levels with corrections from native speakers. Which to choose, and when to use both.

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