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PhrasesAt the BeachVorrei un ombrellone e due sdraio, per favore.
A2

Vorrei un ombrellone e due sdraio, per favore.

I would like a beach umbrella and two loungers, please.

Pronunciation

voh-RRAY oon om-brel-LOH-neh eh DOO-eh ZDRA-yoh. 'Sdraio' is invariable — same for singular and plural.

When to use it

At the entrance of a stabilimento balneare (lido) when you want to rent beach equipment. This is the standard request at Italian paid beaches.

What it means

Un ombrellone is a large beach umbrella. Una sdraio is a sun lounger or deckchair. Vorrei is the polite conditional of volere. At Italian lidos, renting umbrella and lounger together (il set) is standard practice.

Variations

Avete ancora ombrelloni disponibili?

Do you still have umbrellas available?

Check availability before deciding on number.

Quanto costa il set per tutta la giornata?

How much does the set cost for the whole day?

The daily price (giornaliera) for the full set.

Preferisco una posizione in prima fila.

I prefer a front-row position.

Closer to the sea costs more at Italian lidos.

Mini Dialogue

— Vorrei un ombrellone e due sdraio, per favore. — Per quanti giorni? — Solo oggi. — Prima, seconda o terza fila? — Seconda fila, grazie. — Venticinque euro per la giornata.

— I would like a beach umbrella and two loungers, please. — For how many days? — Just today. — First, second or third row? — Second row, thank you. — Twenty-five euros for the day.

Cultural Note

The Italian stabilimento balneare (lido) system divides most Italian beaches into private sections where you pay for your spot. The price increases the closer you are to the water (prima fila — first row being the most expensive). Free public beaches (spiagge libere) exist but are often less well-equipped and more crowded.