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How to Say ‘I wanted to mention a couple of dietary needs.’ in Italian

Volevo segnalare un paio di esigenze alimentari.

voh-LEH-voh seh-nyah-LAH-reh oon PAH-yoh dee eh-zee-JEN-tseh ah-lee-men-TAH-ree

[voh-LEH-voh seh-nyah-LAH-reh oon PAH-yoh dee eh-zee-JEN-tseh ah-lee-men-TAH-ree]

🇮🇹 In Italy: Mentioning dietary needs when you book is normal and appreciated in Italy. It gives the kitchen time to plan instead of improvising on the night.

Phrase Breakdown

Volevo segnalare

voh-LEH-voh seh-nyah-LAH-reh

I wanted to point out

The polite imperfect 'volevo' softens a request. 'Gn' sounds like the 'ny' in 'canyon': se-gna-LA-re.

Example

Volevo segnalare un problema.

I wanted to report a problem.

Words in this phrase

Volevo

[voh-LEH-voh]

I wanted

An imperfect form often used politely in emails or messages, like 'I wanted to...'.

Example

Volevo scriverti per ringraziarti del tempo dedicato.

I wanted to write to thank you for the time you dedicated.

segnalare

[seh-nyah-LAH-reh]

to point out / to report

Infinitive verb meaning to signal or let someone know about something.

Example

Devo segnalare un problema.

I need to report a problem.

un paio di

oon PAH-yoh dee

a couple of

A quantity expression meaning 'two or a few'. Stress the first syllable: PA-io.

Example

Prendo un paio di panini.

I'll take a couple of sandwiches.

Words in this phrase

[oon]

Indefinite article used before a masculine singular noun.

Example

In Un buon equilibrio, Un introduce l'idea di un balance positivo.

In 'Un buon equilibrio,' 'Un' introduces the idea of a positive balance.

paio

[PAH-yoh]

couple / pair

Masculine noun; 'un paio di' means a couple of.

Example

Ho un paio di domande.

I have a couple of questions.

[dee]

Preposition linking nouns, often translated as of.

Example

Che tipo di ruolo è disponibile?

What kind of role is available?

esigenze alimentari.

eh-zee-JEN-tseh ah-lee-men-TAH-ree

dietary requirements.

Literally 'food needs'. Stress the syllables GEN and TA: e-si-GEN-tse a-li-men-TA-ri.

Example

Abbiamo esigenze alimentari diverse.

We have different dietary requirements.

Words in this phrase

esigenze

[eh-zee-JEN-tseh]

needs / requirements

Plural of 'esigenza', a need or requirement.

Example

Rispettiamo le esigenze dei clienti.

We respect customers' needs.

alimentari

[ah-lee-men-TAH-ree]

dietary / food-related

Plural adjective relating to food or diet.

Example

Ha delle restrizioni alimentari?

Do you have any dietary restrictions?

Guides for Italian learners

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