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PhrasesAt the BarSi può fumare qui fuori?
A2

Si può fumare qui fuori?

Can one smoke out here?

Pronunciation

fu-MA-re — three syllables, stress on second.

When to use it

When stepping outside a bar and wanting to confirm smoking is permitted in the outdoor area.

What it means

Italy banned smoking inside bars and restaurants in 2005 — one of Europe's earliest smoking bans. Smoking is only permitted in designated outdoor areas. 'Si può' is the impersonal form of 'potere' (can one / is it possible to).

Variations

C'è un'area fumatori?

Is there a smoking area?

More specific — asks for a designated smoking zone

Dove è permesso fumare?

Where is smoking permitted?

Open question — ask if unsure of the bar's outdoor arrangements

Avete un posacenere fuori?

Do you have an ashtray outside?

Practical question — confirms outdoor smoking is at least tolerated

Mini Dialogue

— Si può fumare qui fuori? — Sì, fuori è permesso — abbiamo anche dei posacenere. — Grazie. Torno tra cinque minuti. — Prego, il suo drink lo tengo qui.

— Can one smoke out here? — Yes, outside is allowed — we also have ashtrays. — Thank you. I'll be back in five minutes. — Of course, I'll keep your drink here.

Cultural Note

The 2005 Italian smoking ban was controversial but largely respected. Italy went from being one of Europe's heaviest smoking nations to having a well-enforced public indoor smoking ban. Outdoor terraces are almost universally smoking-permitted. E-cigarettes ('sigarette elettroniche') have the same restrictions as regular cigarettes indoors.