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PhrasesAt the CinemaSi prega di spegnere i telefoni cellulari.
B1formal

Si prega di spegnere i telefoni cellulari.

Please switch off your mobile phones.

Pronunciation

SPEG-ne-re — stress on first syllable. The 'gn' sounds like 'ny' in 'canyon'.

When to use it

This is a phrase you will hear from cinema staff or see on screen before the film. Knowing it helps you understand the announcement. You can also say it to remind a companion.

What it means

'Si prega di' (literally 'one is asked to') is a formal impersonal construction used in public announcements. 'Spegnere' (to turn off/extinguish) applies to phones, lights and fires. 'Cellulare' (mobile phone) is the Italian word — 'smartphone' is also widely used.

Variations

Per favore metti il telefono in modalità silenziosa.

Please put your phone on silent mode.

Direct informal request — 'modalità silenziosa' = silent mode.

Vietato usare il cellulare in sala.

Mobile phone use is not permitted in the screen.

Prohibition sign language — 'vietato' = forbidden.

Puoi mettere via il telefono?

Can you put your phone away?

Said to a companion who is using their phone during the film.

Mini Dialogue

— Si prega di spegnere i telefoni cellulari o di metterli in modalità silenziosa durante la proiezione. — (Whispers) Hai sentito? Metti giù il telefono. — Sì sì, l'ho già messo in silenzioso. — Bene.

— Please switch off your mobile phones or put them on silent mode during the screening. — (Whispers) Did you hear? Put your phone down. — Yes yes, I already put it on silent. — Good.

Cultural Note

Phone use during Italian films is taken seriously. Unlike some cultures where dim phone light is tolerated, Italian cinemagoers are generally intolerant of phone screens during screenings and will speak up.