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PhrasesAsking for SizeCome si prende la misura?
B1

Come si prende la misura?

How do you take the measurement?

Pronunciation

'Misura' — mi-ZU-ra. The 's' is voiced like 'z'.

When to use it

Ask this in tailoring shops, bespoke clothing stores, or when ordering made-to-measure items. Shows you are a serious buyer and helps the tailor understand you are ready for the process.

What it means

'Come si prende' uses the impersonal 'si' — 'how is it taken / how does one take it'. 'La misura' means the measurement. This phrase opens the conversation about a fitting appointment or measurement process.

Variations

Posso prendere le misure adesso?

Can you take my measurements now?

More direct — asks to start immediately.

Serve un appuntamento per le misure?

Is an appointment needed for measurements?

Practical logistics question.

Quali misure prendete?

Which measurements do you take?

Asks what is included in the process.

Mini Dialogue

Cliente: Come si prende la misura per un abito su misura? Sarto: Prendiamo spalle, petto, vita, fianchi e lunghezza. Cliente: Quanto tempo ci vuole? Sarto: Circa dieci minuti. Possiamo farlo adesso se vuole.

Customer: How do you take measurements for a made-to-measure suit? Tailor: We take shoulders, chest, waist, hips, and length. Customer: How long does it take? Tailor: About ten minutes. We can do it now if you like.

Cultural Note

Bespoke tailoring ('sartoria') has deep roots in Italy — especially in Naples ('sartoria napoletana'), Rome, and Milan. A quality sarto takes 12–20 measurements for a suit. The tradition is considered a high art.