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PhrasesAt the LibraryPuò consigliarmi un libro?
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Può consigliarmi un libro?

Can you recommend a book?

Pronunciation

Stress 'con-si-GLIA-re'. 'Mi' = me (indirect object).

When to use it

Ask the librarian for a personalised book recommendation. Italian librarians ('bibliotecari') are trained information professionals and excellent sources of reading advice.

What it means

'Consigliarmi' = to recommend to me. 'Può' = can you (formal). 'Un libro' = a book. Be ready to answer follow-up questions about your tastes: 'genere preferito' (preferred genre), 'autori che le piacciono' (authors you like), 'livello di lettura' (reading level).

Variations

Che romanzi italiani mi consiglia?

What Italian novels do you recommend?

Specifying Italian fiction.

Ho letto tutto di Elena Ferrante. Cosa mi consiglia adesso?

I've read everything by Elena Ferrante. What do you recommend now?

Recommendation after a favourite author.

Sto cercando qualcosa di leggero.

I'm looking for something light.

Specifying a light read.

Mini Dialogue

— Può consigliarmi un libro? Non so da dove iniziare. — Certo! Che genere le piace? — Preferisco i romanzi storici italiani. — Allora le consiglio 'Il Gattopardo' di Tomasi di Lampedusa. Un capolavoro.

— Can you recommend a book? I don't know where to start. — Of course! What genre do you like? — I prefer Italian historical novels. — Then I recommend 'The Leopard' by Tomasi di Lampedusa. A masterpiece.

Cultural Note

Italian librarians ('bibliotecari e bibliotecarie') hold a 'Laurea' (degree) in Library Science ('Scienze dei Beni Culturali' or 'Scienze Archivistiche e Biblioteconomiche') and are trained to provide expert reader guidance ('reference'). The Italian librarianship profession is represented by AIB (Associazione Italiana Biblioteche), founded in 1930.