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PhrasesAt the Bus StopLa macchinetta accetta la carta di credito?
A2

La macchinetta accetta la carta di credito?

Does the ticket machine accept credit cards?

Pronunciation

'Macchinetta' — 'mac-ki-NET-ta'. Diminutive of 'macchina'; the double 'c' gives a hard 'k' sound.

When to use it

Ask another passenger or read the machine's display when you want to pay by card at an automatic ticket vending machine.

What it means

'Accetta' is the third-person singular present of 'accettare' (to accept). 'Carta di credito' is credit card. 'Macchinetta' is an affectionate diminutive frequently used for vending machines in Italy.

Variations

La macchina accetta solo monete?

Does the machine only accept coins?

Checks if it is cash-only.

Posso usare il bancomat?

Can I use my debit card?

'Bancomat' refers to both the ATM and the debit card in Italian.

C'è un operatore qui?

Is there an operator here?

Asks for human assistance when the machine is confusing.

Mini Dialogue

— La macchinetta accetta la carta di credito? — Quella vecchia no, quella nuova sì. — Quale è quella nuova? — Quella azzurra, dall'altra parte.

— Does the ticket machine accept credit cards? — The old one doesn't, the new one does. — Which one is the new one? — The light-blue one, on the other side.

Cultural Note

Newer Italian transport machines (installed post-2018) almost universally accept chip-and-pin and contactless. Older machines are coin and note only — and often reject notes above €10.