Italian · Real conversations
Local transport: Italian conversation practice
Find the right route and the right stop. Read the exchange, reveal the translations when you need them, then try your part before looking at the sample answers.
A2 · Read and rehearse
Your role: A passenger checking directions with a local person.
Goal: Find the right route and the right stop.
Read the conversation
Partner
Questa strada porta verso il museo.
Show English translation
This street leads toward the museum.
You
Sto andando nella direzione giusta?
Show English translation
Am I going the right way?
Partner
Sì. Può anche prendere questo autobus.
Show English translation
Yes. You can take this bus instead.
You
Quante fermate mancano?
Show English translation
How many stops are left?
Partner
Tre fermate. A volte l'autobus salta una fermata se non c'è nessuno.
Show English translation
Three stops. The bus sometimes skips an empty stop.
You
Potrebbe dirmi quando devo scendere?
Show English translation
Could you tell me when to get off?
Partner
Certo. Può anche andare a piedi da qui.
Show English translation
Of course. You could also walk from here.
You
Ci si può arrivare a piedi?
Show English translation
Is it within walking distance?
Partner
Sono circa venti minuti. C'è una stazione vicino al museo.
Show English translation
It's about twenty minutes. There's a station near the museum.
You
Questo autobus ferma alla stazione?
Show English translation
Does this bus stop at the station?
Try your part first
Partner says: This street leads toward the museum. Your goal: Am I going the right way?
Reveal a sample reply
Sto andando nella direzione giusta?
Am I going the right way?
Partner says: Yes. You can take this bus instead. Your goal: How many stops are left?
Reveal a sample reply
Quante fermate mancano?
How many stops are left?
Partner says: Three stops. The bus sometimes skips an empty stop. Your goal: Could you tell me when to get off?
Reveal a sample reply
Potrebbe dirmi quando devo scendere?
Could you tell me when to get off?
Partner says: Of course. You could also walk from here. Your goal: Is it within walking distance?
Reveal a sample reply
Ci si può arrivare a piedi?
Is it within walking distance?
Partner says: It's about twenty minutes. There's a station near the museum. Your goal: Does this bus stop at the station?
Reveal a sample reply
Questo autobus ferma alla stazione?
Does this bus stop at the station?
Make it your own
- Travel on foot instead.
- Change the destination.
- Ask someone to point out the stop.
Keep the useful expression and change the detail. There can be several appropriate answers; the revealed replies are examples to learn from.
This rehearsal in other languages
A note on speaking Italian
Use tu with friends and Lei with someone you address formally. A request with vorrei or potrebbe can soften the tone; it still helps to say what you need clearly. The examples label the situation so you can choose the appropriate relationship.
Read doubled consonants distinctly and keep the written accents. The English translation explains the intended message; Italian often chooses a different construction rather than matching each English word.
