Can I browse through before buying?
'Sfogliare' — sfo-LYA-re. Three syllables. The 'gl' sounds like 'ly'.
Ask politely if it is acceptable to leaf through a book before deciding to purchase. In most Italian bookshops, browsing is welcomed — but for sealed items or expensive books, it is courteous to ask.
'Sfogliare' = to leaf through, browse (from 'foglio' = page). 'Prima di comprare' = before buying (prima di + infinitive). In Italy, bookshop browsing is culturally normal and encouraged. The phrase 'posso sfogliare?' is enough. Standing and reading is also accepted in Italian bookshops.
Posso leggere un po'?
Can I read a little?
Reading a few pages before buying.
Ha una copia da sfogliare?
Do you have a copy to browse?
For sealed or display copies.
Posso aprirlo?
Can I open it?
Very brief — for when asking feels almost unnecessary.
Italian bookshops have a long tradition of being places of intellectual community. Sitting and reading in a bookshop ('libreria') is entirely normal — staff rarely rush customers. The phrase 'ci mancherebbe' (of course — literally 'it would be missing!') is a warm Italian affirmation.