Markets & Souvenirs

1. Quanto costa questo?

   How much does this cost?

   Usage

   Most basic phrase to ask the price at a market

   Grammar Note

   Use "questa" for feminine nouns. "Quanto viene?" is colloquial

2. Si può contrattare sul prezzo?

   Can the price be negotiated?

   Usage

   Asking whether the price is negotiable

   Grammar Note

   Negotiation is common at local Italian markets (mercato rionale)

3. Me lo lascia a 10 euro?

   Would you let me have it for 10 euros?

   Usage

   Offering a counter-price

   Grammar Note

   "Lasciare a" idiomatically means "let it go at X". Common in market bargaining

4. Mi fa uno sconto se ne prendo diversi?

   Will you give me a discount if I take several?

   Usage

   Asking for a bulk discount

   Grammar Note

   Pronoun "ne" replaces a quantity. "Fare uno sconto" = give a discount

5. È fatto a mano?

   Is this handmade?

   Usage

   Asking whether a craft is handmade

   Grammar Note

   "Artigianale" (artisan-made) is also common. Italian artisan goods are popular souvenirs

6. Di che materiale è?

   What material is this made of?

   Usage

   Asking the material of a craft or garment

   Grammar Note

   "Essere di + material" means "is made of". E.g., "È di pelle" (it's leather)

7. Può farmi un pacchetto regalo?

   Could you make me a gift package?

   Usage

   Politely requesting gift wrapping

   Grammar Note

   "Pacchetto regalo" is the standard phrase. "Confezione regalo" is also used

8. Dov'è il mercato notturno?

   Where is the night market?

   Usage

   Asking the location of a night market

   Grammar Note

   Italian night markets are rare, but summer "mercatino serale" (evening markets) appear in tourist towns

9. Posso avere uno scontrino?

   Can I have a receipt?

   Usage

   Requesting a receipt

   Grammar Note

   "Scontrino" is the printed receipt; "ricevuta" is a handwritten one. In Italy you must keep receipts after purchase

10. Qual è l'orario del mercato?

    What are the market's hours?

    Usage

    Asking the market's operating hours

    Grammar Note

    "Di + il" contracts to "del". Italian markets often close for the lunch break (pausa pranzo)

11. Sto solo guardando, grazie

    I'm just looking, thanks

    Usage

    Politely declining a vendor's offer

    Grammar Note

    "Stare + gerund" forms the progressive. "Sto guardando" = I am looking

12. Accettate la carta?

    Do you accept card?

    Usage

    Checking whether card payment is accepted

    Grammar Note

    Italian markets are cash-heavy. You may see "Solo contanti" (cash only)

13. È un souvenir per la mia famiglia

    It's a souvenir for my family

    Usage

    Telling the seller who the souvenir is for

    Grammar Note

    "Ricordo" is the Italian word for souvenir/memento. "Per" introduces the recipient

14. Potete spedirlo all'estero?

    Can you ship it abroad?

    Usage

    Checking whether international shipping is offered

    Grammar Note

    "Spedire" = ship; "mandare" = send (general). Pronouns attach to the end of infinitives

15. Qual è la cosa più fresca oggi?

    What's the freshest today?

    Usage

    Asking which item is freshest at a food market

    Grammar Note

    Italian superlative uses "il/la più + adjective". "Cosa mi consiglia?" (what do you recommend) also works

16. Il prezzo è trattabile?

    Is the price negotiable?

    Usage

    Directly asking whether the price can be lowered

    Grammar Note

    "Trattabile" frequently appears in second-hand ads to indicate negotiable price

17. Avete una taglia più piccola?

    Do you have a smaller size?

    Usage

    Asking for a smaller clothing size

    Grammar Note

    "Taglia" is for clothing; shoe sizes are "numero" (misura is the general word for size). Use "più grande" for "bigger"

18. È troppo caro

    It's too expensive

    Usage

    Signaling that the offered price is too high

    Grammar Note

    "Un po' caro" (a bit pricey) softens the tone. Standard during negotiation

19. La cipolla

    Onion

    Usage

    Point at this to buy onions or to ask for a dish without them

20. Il peperoncino

    Chilli pepper

    Usage

    The hot chilli; a sweet bell pepper is "il peperone"

21. Il coriandolo

    Coriander / cilantro

    Usage

    Say "coriandolo fresco" for the fresh herb; the plural "coriandoli" means paper confetti

22. Lo yogurt

    Yogurt

    Usage

    Point at this when looking for yogurt at a market or shop

23. La frutta

    Fruit

    Usage

    Fruit as a category; use it to ask where fruit is sold

24. Il tofu

    Tofu

    Usage

    In Italy it is usually found in health-food shops ("negozio biologico")

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