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How to Say ‘A bag, please’ in Italian

Una busta, per favore

oo-na BOO-stah pehr FAH-voh-reh

[oo-na BOO-stah pehr FAH-voh-reh]

🇮🇹 In Italy: Plastic bags at supermarkets cost a few cents and aren't handed out automatically. Many locals bring their own.

Phrase Breakdown

Una busta,

oo-na BOO-stah

A bag,

'Busta' means a shopping bag (or an envelope). Pronounce it 'BOO-sta'.

Example

Mi serve una busta.

I need a bag.

Words in this phrase

Una

[oo-na]

A (feminine singular)

An indefinite article used for feminine singular nouns.

Example

Vorrei una bottiglia, grazie.

I would like a bottle, thank you.

busta

[BOO-stah]

bag

A shopping bag, often plastic or paper, sold at the checkout.

Example

Metto la frutta nella busta.

I put the fruit in the bag.

per favore

pehr FAH-voh-reh

please

This is the polite 'please', placed at the end of the request.

Example

Un momento, per favore.

One moment, please.

Words in this phrase

per

[pehr]

please

Part of the polite expression per favore.

Example

Per favore, ci portate una torta piccola?

Please, can you bring us a small cake?

favore

[FAH-voh-reh]

Please

A polite addition to requests.

Example

Mi porti il menu, per favore.

Bring me the menu, please.

Guides for Italian learners

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