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How to Say ‘Excuse me, is this seat free?’ in Italian

Scusa, è libero questo posto?

SKOO-zah eh LEE-beh-roh KWEH-stoh POH-stoh

[SKOO-zah eh LEE-beh-roh KWEH-stoh POH-stoh]

Phrase Breakdown

Scusa,

SKOO-zah

Excuse me,

This is the informal 'excuse me', used with people your age or friends. Stress the first syllable: SKOO-za.

Example

Scusa, che ore sono?

Excuse me, what time is it?

Words in this phrase

Scusa

[SKOO-zah]

excuse me

Informal way to get someone's attention politely.

Example

Scusa, sai che ore sono?

Excuse me, do you know what time it is?

è libero

eh LEE-beh-roh

is free

Join 'è' smoothly to 'libero'. Stress the first syllable: LEE-beh-ro.

Example

Il tavolo è libero.

The table is free.

Words in this phrase

[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.

libero

[LEE-beh-roh]

free, available

Adjective: not taken or occupied.

Example

Questo posto è libero?

Is this seat free?

questo posto?

KWEH-stoh POH-stoh

this seat?

Say it with rising intonation, because it is a question.

Example

Ti piace questo posto?

Do you like this place?

Words in this phrase

questo

[KWEH-stoh]

this

Demonstrative adjective used to point to something near or specific.

Example

Questo ambiente sembra aperto e rispettoso.

This environment seems open and respectful.

posto

[POH-stoh]

room, space, seat

Available space or seating somewhere.

Example

C'è posto per due?

Is there room for two?

Guides for Italian learners

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