Posso sedermi qui?

May I sit here?

Pronunciation

'Sedermi' — 'se-DER-mi'. The 'r' is softly trilled.

When to use it

Use at a bus stop with bench seating when you want to sit next to someone already seated.

What it means

'Posso sedermi' combines the modal 'posso' (I can/may) with the reflexive infinitive 'sedermi' (to seat myself). This is the reflexive form of 'sedere'. A very polite and common phrase.

Variations

È libero questo posto?

Is this seat free?

Shorter alternative; 'libero' means free/available.

C'è qualcuno qui?

Is there someone here?

Indirect way of asking if the seat is taken.

Questo posto è occupato?

Is this seat taken?

'Occupato' means occupied; direct and clear.

Mini Dialogue

— Posso sedermi qui? — Certo, si accomodi! — Grazie. Aspetta anche lei il venti? — No, il sedici. Ma viene spesso.

— May I sit here? — Of course, please do! — Thank you. Are you also waiting for the 20? — No, the 16. But it comes often.

Cultural Note

Bus stop benches in Italy are often in short supply. In small towns, waiting passengers may stand in small groups chatting — joining the conversation is considered perfectly friendly behaviour.

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