I dont want to
Non voglio viaggiare in prima classe.I dont want to travel first class.Non voglio andare fin là a piedi.I dont want to walk all the way there.Non voglio perdere la coincidenza.I dont want to miss my connection.Id like to
Vorrei noleggiare una bici.Id like to hire a bike.Vorrei andarci in barca.Id like to go by boat.Il mio amico vorrebbe denunciare lo smarrimento del bagaglio.My friend would like to report his luggage missing.You can also use desidero (I would like), which is slightly more formal. This comes from desiderare (to want). For more information on -are verbs like desiderare, see here.
I would like
Desidero un biglietto di sola andata in prima classe.I would like a single ticket, first class, please.Desideriamo prenotare un tavolo al vagone ristorante.We would like to reserve a table in the dining car, please.If you want to say that you feel like doing something, say ho voglia di or mi va di (I feel like). ho comes from the verb avere and va comes from andare. For more information on avere and andare, see here and here.
I feel like
Ho voglia di passare per Fiesole.I feel like going via Fiesole.Ho proprio voglia di andare a Portofino.I quite fancy going to Portofino.Non ho nessuna voglia di passare sei ore in treno.I really dont feel like spending six hours on the train.Mi va di spezzare il viaggio.I feel like breaking the journey.Non mi va di passare unaltra notte qua.I dont feel like spending another night here.MAKING SUGGESTIONS
You may wish to make a suggestion to your colleagues or friends in Italian. One way of doing this is to use potremmo (we could), or si potrebbe (one could). Both come from the verb potere (to be able). For more information on potere, see here.
We could
Potremmo andare domani.We could go there tomorrow.Potremmo fare tappa a Siena.We could break our journey in Siena.Si potrebbe andare a piedi, se preferisci.We could walk, if you prefer.If you want to ask someone if they would like to do something, you can generally use the verb volere (to want). An alternative is ti piacerebbe or, to somebody you know less well, le piacerebbe, from the verb piacere. For more information on volere, see here.
Would you like to?
Vuoi andare in acqua?Would you like to go for a swim?Vuoi riposare un po?Would you like to have a little rest?Vuoi guidare?Would you like to drive?Vuole fermarsi qui?Would You like to stop here?Ti piacerebbe andarci a piedi?Would you like to walk there?Le piacerebbe visitare il museo?Would You like to go to the museum?Just as in English, you can make a suggestion by simply asking Perché non? (Why dont?).
Why dont?
Perché non noleggiamo una macchina?Why dont we hire a car?Perché non prendiamo la metropolitana?Why dont we take the underground?Perché non chiediamo al conducente?Why dont we ask the driver?You can make a suggestion using E se? (How about?) which is followed by a verb in the imperfect subjunctive. For more information on the subjunctive, see here.
How about?
E se prendessimo lautostrada?How about going on the motorway?E se ci andassimo in traghetto?How about taking the ferry?E se passassimo per Riccione?How about going via Riccione?if you like
Ti posso dare un passaggio, se vuoi.I can give you a lift, if you like.Possiamo chiedere al controllore, se vuole.We can ask the ticket inspector, if You like.Se vuole possiamo dividere un taxi per laeroporto.We can share a taxi to the airport, if You like.ASKING FOR INFORMATION
When you are travelling around in Italy, you will often need some information to help you get to where you want to go. When you are asking for information you may need to get someones attention in order to ask them a question. To do this you can use Scusi or Mi scusi, if addressing an adult, or Scusa, if youre addressing somebody younger.
When you are travelling around in Italy, you will often need some information to help you get to where you want to go. When you are asking for information you may need to get someones attention in order to ask them a question. To do this you can use Scusi or Mi scusi, if addressing an adult, or Scusa, if youre addressing somebody younger.
Excuse me
Scusi, cerco la stazione.Excuse me, Im looking for the station.Scusi, cerco il municipio.Excuse me, Im looking for the town hall.Mi scusi, cerco la piazza principale.Excuse me, Im looking for the main square.BUONO A SAPERSI!
Remember to say grazie or tante grazie when you get the information. If someone hasnt been able to help you, you can still thank them by saying grazie lo stesso (thanks all the same).
If you want to ask a general question, you can use È? (Is it?).
Is it?
È di qua?Is it this way?È vicino?Is it near here?È lontano?Is it far?È questo il treno per Lecce?Is this the train for Lecce?È questa la fermata per il museo?Is this the stop for the museum?È libero questo posto?Is this seat free?Is there?
Cè un distributore nei paraggi, per favore?Is there a petrol station near here, please?Cè una stazione della metropolitana qui vicino?Is there an underground station near here?Cè una riduzione per studenti?Is there a student discount?Ci sono ristoranti in questa zona?Are there any restaurants around here?In order to get more specific information, you may want to ask, for example, Dove? (Where?), Quale? (Which?), or A che ora? (What time?).
Where?
Dovè il deposito bagagli?Wheres the left-luggage office?Dovè il più vicino posteggio di taxi, per favore?Wheres the nearest taxi rank, please?Dove sono le toilettes?Where are the public toilets?Which?
Quale linea devo prendere, per favore?Which line do I take, please?Qualiautobus vanno in centro?Which buses go to the town centre?Da quale binario parte il treno per Pisa?Which platform does the train for Pisa go from?Scusi, in che direzione è Treviso, per favore?Excuse me, which way do I go for Treviso, please?In che direzione è lArena, per favore?Which way is it to the Arena, please?What time?
A che ora è limbarco?What time do we board?A che ora parte il treno?What time does the train leave?A che ora arriviamo a Bologna?What time do we get to Bologna?How often?
Con quale frequenza partono le corriere per Trento?How often is there a bus for Trento?Con quale frequenza partono i voli per Londra?How often is there a flight to London?Ogni quanti chilometri bisogna fare il pieno?How often do you have to fill up?Quante soste facciamo per strada?How often do we stop on the way?How long?
Quanto ci si mette?How long does it take?Quanto ci si mette per arrivare in stazione?How long does it take to get to the railway station?Quanto ci si mette per andare da Rovigo a Verona?How long does it take to get from Rovigo to Verona?Quanto ci mettiamo per arrivare?How long will it take us to get there?How much is?
Quanto costa un biglietto per Cagliari?How much is a ticket to Cagliari?Quanto si paga di autostrada da Milano a Pisa?How much is the motorway toll between Milan and Pisa?Quanto costa lasciare la valigia al deposito bagagli?How much does it cost to leave a suitcase in left-luggage?Quanto costerebbe affittare una macchina per due giorni?How much would it cost to hire a car for two days?Use Posso? (Can I?) or Si può? (Can you?) to ask whether you can do something, or if something is generally possible. These are from the verb potere (to be able). For more information on potere, see here.