Italian · Real conversations
Train journeys: Italian conversation practice
Check a route, a platform, and a connection. 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 asking station staff about a journey.
Goal: Check a route, a platform, and a connection.
Read the conversation
Partner
Il primo treno del suo viaggio parte tra poco.
Show English translation
The first train for your journey leaves soon.
You
È un treno diretto?
Show English translation
Is this a direct train?
Partner
No, termina alla stazione di cambio.
Show English translation
No, it ends at the junction station.
You
Devo cambiare treno?
Show English translation
Do I need to change trains?
Partner
Sì, cambia lì. Il suo primo treno parte tra poco.
Show English translation
Yes, you change there. Your first train leaves soon.
You
Da quale binario parte?
Show English translation
Which platform does it leave from?
Partner
Dal binario tre. Se serve, c'è un treno più tardi.
Show English translation
Platform three. There's a later train if you need it.
You
Il biglietto è valido per il prossimo treno?
Show English translation
Is the ticket valid for the next train?
Partner
Sì, il biglietto è valido per quel treno. Ha poco tempo per la coincidenza.
Show English translation
Yes, your ticket covers that service. You have a short connection.
You
Che succede se perdo la coincidenza?
Show English translation
What happens if I miss the connection?
Try your part first
Partner says: The first train for your journey leaves soon. Your goal: Is this a direct train?
Reveal a sample reply
È un treno diretto?
Is this a direct train?
Partner says: No, it ends at the junction station. Your goal: Do I need to change trains?
Reveal a sample reply
Devo cambiare treno?
Do I need to change trains?
Partner says: Yes, you change there. Your first train leaves soon. Your goal: Which platform does it leave from?
Reveal a sample reply
Da quale binario parte?
Which platform does it leave from?
Partner says: Platform three. There's a later train if you need it. Your goal: Is the ticket valid for the next train?
Reveal a sample reply
Il biglietto è valido per il prossimo treno?
Is the ticket valid for the next train?
Partner says: Yes, your ticket covers that service. You have a short connection. Your goal: What happens if I miss the connection?
Reveal a sample reply
Che succede se perdo la coincidenza?
What happens if I miss the connection?
Make it your own
- Change the destination.
- Miss a connection.
- Ask about the return journey.
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.
