Where can I consult a dictionary?
Stress 'di-zio-NA-rio'. 'Consultare' = con-sul-TA-re.
Ask this when you need to look something up in a reference work that you can't borrow. Reference books ('libri di consultazione') must be used in the library.
'Consultare' = to consult/look up in. 'Dizionario' = dictionary. 'Enciclopedia' = encyclopaedia. Reference books ('opere di consultazione' or 'libri di riferimento') typically cannot be borrowed and must be consulted in the library. These include: 'dizionari' (dictionaries), 'enciclopedie', 'atlanti' (atlases), 'annuari' (yearbooks).
Avete un dizionario italiano-inglese?
Do you have an Italian-English dictionary?
Bilingual dictionary.
Dove si trovano le enciclopedie?
Where are the encyclopaedias?
Finding reference works.
Posso portare il dizionario al tavolo?
Can I take the dictionary to the table?
Within-library use.
The 'Devoto-Oli' (full name 'Il Vocabolario della Lingua Italiana' by Giacomo Devoto and Gian Carlo Oli) is the most prestigious Italian language dictionary, equivalent to the Oxford English Dictionary in authority. The 'Zingarelli' and 'De Mauro' are other major Italian dictionaries. These reference works are essential in Italian libraries and are updated regularly.