How to Say ‘Is the restaurant accessible, or are there steps at the entrance?’ in Italian
Il locale è accessibile, o ci sono scalini all'ingresso?
eel loh-KAH-leh eh ahch-chehs-SEE-bee-leh oh chee SOH-noh skah-LEE-nee ahl een-GREHS-soh
[eel loh-KAH-leh eh ahch-chehs-SEE-bee-leh oh chee SOH-noh skah-LEE-nee ahl een-GREHS-soh]
🇮🇹 In Italy: Many Italian restaurants are in old buildings with a step or two at the door, so asking this up front is normal and expected. Staff usually answer frankly.
Phrase Breakdown
Il locale
eel loh-KAH-leh
The venue
The subject of the sentence, with its article. Stress 'CA'.
Il locale apre alle sette.
The venue opens at seven.
Words in this phrase
Il
[eel]
the
Masculine singular definite article used before a masculine singular noun.
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.
locale
[loh-KAH-leh]
venue, place
Noun for a restaurant, bar or similar establishment.
Questo locale è molto carino.
This place is very nice.
è accessibile,
eh ahch-chehs-SEE-bee-leh
is it accessible,
Stress ac-ces-SI-bi-le, then pause briefly at the comma.
L'albergo è accessibile.
The hotel is accessible.
Words in this phrase
è
[eh]
is
Third-person singular of 'essere'; used to describe a person, company, or situation.
Quando dici È in È molto umana, stai descrivendo l'azienda.
When you say 'È' in 'È molto umana,' you are describing the company.
accessibile
[ahch-chehs-SEE-bee-leh]
accessible
Adjective: easy to enter or use, including for wheelchair users.
Il museo è accessibile.
The museum is accessible.
o ci sono scalini
oh chee SOH-noh skah-LEE-nee
or are there steps
'O' means 'or' and links the alternative. Say it smoothly with 'ci sono'.
C'è l'ascensore o ci sono scalini?
Is there a lift or are there steps?
Words in this phrase
o
[oh]
or
Conjunction offering an alternative.
Vino o birra?
Wine or beer?
ci
[chee]
there
In that place or situation.
Ci provo davvero a essere puntuale.
I really try to be on time.
sono
[SOH-noh]
are
With 'ci', forms 'ci sono' = there are.
Ci sono due sedie.
There are two chairs.
scalini
[skah-LEE-nee]
steps
Plural of 'scalino', a single stair step.
Attenzione agli scalini.
Watch the steps.
all'ingresso?
ahl een-GREHS-soh
at the entrance?
'All'' is 'a' + 'l''. Link it to the noun: al-lin-GRES-so.
Ci vediamo all'ingresso.
See you at the entrance.
Words in this phrase
all'
[ahl]
at the
'a' + 'l'' before a vowel; here indicates location.
Ti aspetto all'uscita.
I'll wait for you at the exit.
ingresso
[een-GREHS-soh]
entrance
Masculine noun for the way in.
L'ingresso è a destra.
The entrance is on the right.
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