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PhrasesAt the Antique MarketPuò spedirmelo?
B1

Può spedirmelo?

Can you ship it to me?

Pronunciation

spe-DIR-me-lo — four syllables; stress on the second. The three pronouns (mi, lo) are contracted with the infinitive.

When to use it

Use this when you're interested in an item but it's too large or fragile to carry. Some antique market dealers offer shipping, especially to regular or international customers.

What it means

'Può spedirmelo' combines 'può' (can you, formal) + 'spedire' (to ship) + 'mi' (to me) + 'lo' (it). In Italian, object pronouns attach to infinitives — 'spedirmi' + 'lo' becomes 'spedirmelo'. Not all market sellers ship, but larger dealers or those with shops often do.

Variations

Lavora con uno spedizioniere?

Do you work with a shipping company?

For large or valuable pieces, specialist art shippers (spedizionieri d'arte) are used

Può imballarlo in modo sicuro?

Can you package it safely?

Asking about packaging quality — crucial for fragile antiques

Spedisce anche all'estero?

Do you ship abroad too?

International shipping of antiques requires customs documentation

Mini Dialogue

— Può spedirmelo? Abito a Londra. — Per l'estero lavoro con uno spedizioniere specializzato in antichità. — Quanto aggiunge ai costi? — Dipende dal peso. Per questo pezzetino, forse trenta euro. — Posso averle i suoi contatti?

— Can you ship it to me? I live in London. — For abroad I work with a shipper specialised in antiques. — How much does it add to the cost? — Depends on the weight. For this little piece, maybe thirty euros. — Can I have your contact details?

Cultural Note

Shipping antiques internationally from Italy requires an attestato di libera circolazione (free circulation certificate) for items over 70 years old and above certain value thresholds. This is issued by the Soprintendenza dei Beni Culturali and takes time to obtain. Buyers should factor this into plans when purchasing expensive items.