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How to Say ‘Will you drink it here or take it away?’ in Italian

Lo beve qui o lo porta via?

lo BEH-veh kwee oh lo POR-tah VEE-ah

[lo BEH-veh kwee oh lo POR-tah VEE-ah]

🇮🇹 In Italy: Most Italians drink their espresso standing at the counter in a minute or two. Sitting at a table often costs more, and takeaway coffee is less common than in the UK or US.

Phrase Breakdown

Lo beve qui

lo BEH-veh kwee

Are you drinking it here

This is the first option of the question. Keep your voice rising slightly.

Example

Lo beve qui al bancone?

Are you drinking it here at the counter?

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.

beve

[BEH-veh]

you drink (formal)

Form of 'bere' (to drink) for 'lei', the polite 'you', also 'he/she drinks'.

Example

Signora, beve un tè?

Madam, will you drink a tea?

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 lo porta via?

oh lo POR-tah VEE-ah

or are you taking it away?

'O' means 'or'. Your voice goes up at the end.

Example

O lo porta via in ufficio?

Or are you taking it to the office?

Words in this phrase

[oh]

Connects two options, such as inside or outside seating.

Example

Preferisci dentro o fuori per cena?

Do you prefer inside or outside for dinner?

[lo]

Used to refer to an object or thing mentioned earlier.

Example

Lo vedo ogni giorno.

I see it every day.

porta

[POR-tah]

take / bring (you take)

Formal 'you' form of 'portare', to take someone somewhere.

Example

Mi porta all'aeroporto?

Will you take me to the airport?

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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