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PhrasesAsking for SizeChe numero di guanti porto?
A2

Che numero di guanti porto?

What glove size do I take?

Pronunciation

'Guanti' — GWAN-ti. The 'gu' sounds like 'gw'.

When to use it

Ask in leather goods shops or accessories shops when buying gloves. Italian glove sizing uses numbers 6.5–10, measured from hand circumference at the widest point.

What it means

Italian glove sizes: hand circumference in inches (an anomaly in otherwise metric Italy) expressed as 6½, 7, 7½, 8, etc. Ask staff to measure your hand. 'Numero' is used for gloves. Quality Italian leather gloves (guanti in cuoio) are a speciality of Naples and Campania.

Variations

Porto un sette e mezzo di guanti.

I take a seven and a half in gloves.

States the size directly.

Può misurarmi la mano?

Can you measure my hand?

Asks for a measurement.

Questi guanti sono in pelle?

Are these gloves leather?

Checks material — relevant to fit.

Mini Dialogue

Cliente: Che numero di guanti porto? Non lo so. Commessa: Glieli misuro io. La mano è diciotto centimetri — porta un sette. Cliente: Posso provarli? Commessa: Certo, ma i guanti in pelle si adattano con l'uso.

Customer: What glove size do I take? I don't know. Assistant: I'll measure them for you. Your hand is eighteen centimetres — you take a seven. Customer: Can I try them on? Assistant: Of course, but leather gloves adapt with use.

Cultural Note

Neapolitan leather gloves ('guanti napoletani') are world-famous. The city of Naples has produced gloves for centuries, with master glovers ('guantai') passing the craft through generations. A well-fitted leather glove should feel snug and require effort to put on initially.