Can you lend me your charger? My phone is about to die.
'Prestarmi' = pres-TAR-mee. 'Caricatore' = ka-ree-ka-TOH-reh. 'Scaricarsi' = to discharge/die (of a battery).
Asking a fellow traveller or café customer to lend their phone charger — a modern everyday help request.
'Prestarmi' = to lend to me. 'Caricatore' (charger) — note: 'carica batterie' is also used. 'Sta per + infinitive' (is about to) expresses imminent action. This is a very common modern request in cafés, airports and public places. Most Italians use USB-C or Lightning cables. Bars and cafés with USB charging points are increasingly common in Italian cities.
C'è una presa elettrica qui vicino?
Is there an electrical socket nearby?
'Presa' = socket/outlet. Ask in cafés, bars and waiting rooms.
Ha un adattatore europeo? La mia spina è britannica.
Do you have a European adapter? My plug is British.
UK plugs need a Type C/F adapter for Italy. Italy uses Type F (Schuko) and Type L.
Posso usare la vostra wifi per fare una telefonata su WhatsApp?
Can I use your wifi to make a WhatsApp call?
Free wifi in Italian cafés and bars is common — ask the code ('password del wifi?').
Italy adopted the EU common charger directive, mandating USB-C for all new mobile devices sold from 2024. Italy uses Type F (Schuko) and Type L (Italian 3-pin) sockets at 220V/50Hz. UK and US plugs require adapters. Many Italian train stations and airports now have free charging stations (colonnine di ricarica).