50 phrases · Levels: A1A2B1B2
Quanto costa questo?
How much does this cost?
When you see a product without a price tag or want to confirm the price.
Un chilo di pomodori, per favore.
A kilo of tomatoes, please.
Ordering produce by weight at a fruit and vegetable stall.
Sono maturi?
Are they ripe?
Asking about the ripeness of fruit before buying.
Posso assaggiare?
May I try one?
Asking to taste a piece of fruit, cheese, or cured meat before buying.
Mi dia il più bello che ha.
Give me the best one you have.
Trusting the vendor's expertise to select the finest specimen — common for melon, truffle, or aged cheese.
Che verdura c'è di stagione adesso?
What vegetables are in season right now?
Asking the vendor what is at its best this time of year, rather than picking something specific.
È prodotto locale?
Is it locally produced?
Checking whether the product comes from the local area or was brought from elsewhere.
Ha prodotti biologici?
Do you have organic products?
Asking whether the stall carries certified organic produce.
Mi fa uno sconto?
Will you give me a discount?
Asking for a small price reduction, especially when buying in quantity or near closing time.
Me li mette nel sacchetto?
Can you put them in a bag for me?
Asking the vendor to bag your purchase.
Dov'è il banco del pesce?
Where is the fish counter?
Asking for directions within a large covered market.
È pesce fresco di oggi?
Is this today's fresh fish?
Verifying the freshness of fish before buying — an important food safety question.
Me lo può sfilettare?
Can you fillet it for me?
Asking the fishmonger to fillet the fish at the stall.
Quanto è stagionato questo pecorino?
How long has this pecorino been aged?
Asking about the ageing of cheese at a cheese stall.
Posso assaggiare il salame?
May I taste the salami?
Requesting a sample of cured meat at a salumeria or market stall.
Mezzo chilo di prosciutto crudo, tagliato fino.
Half a kilo of cured ham, sliced thin.
Ordering cured ham by weight with a specific slicing instruction.
Ha uova fresche di giornata?
Do you have today's fresh eggs?
Asking about the freshness of eggs at a market stall or farm stand.
Che tipo di miele è?
What type of honey is this?
Asking about the floral origin of artisan honey at a beekeeper's stall.
Ha erbe aromatiche fresche?
Do you have fresh aromatic herbs?
Asking for fresh culinary herbs at a greengrocer or herb stall.
Questi porcini sono freschi o secchi?
Are these porcini fresh or dried?
Clarifying whether mushrooms are fresh (seasonal) or dried (available year-round).
Ha tartufo fresco?
Do you have fresh truffle?
Asking about fresh truffle availability at a specialist market stall.
Questo olio è extravergine?
Is this oil extra virgin?
Verifying the quality category of olive oil at a producer's stall.
Vende vino sfuso?
Do you sell wine on tap?
Asking whether a market vendor sells wine by the litre in bulk, to be taken in your own container.
Ha lenticchie di Castelluccio?
Do you have Castelluccio lentils?
Asking for a specific protected variety of lentil at a dried legume stall.
Sono veri San Marzano?
Are these genuine San Marzano tomatoes?
Asking whether tomatoes sold as San Marzano are the authentic DOP variety.
Questo è aglio di Voghiera?
Is this Voghiera garlic?
Identifying a specific DOP garlic variety at a market stall.
Che farina mi consiglia per fare la pizza?
What flour do you recommend for making pizza?
Asking for flour advice at a specialty grain or mill stall at the market.
Ha peperoncino calabrese?
Do you have Calabrian chilli?
Asking for a specific regional spice at a dry goods or spice stall.
Questi sono agrumi siciliani?
Are these Sicilian citrus fruits?
Checking the provenance of citrus fruit at a market stall — Sicily is Italy's premier citrus region.
A che ora chiude il mercato?
What time does the market close?
Asking about closing time, useful for planning your market visit.
Si paga con la carta?
Can I pay by card?
Checking whether a market stall accepts card payments before selecting items.
Mi dà lo scontrino?
Can you give me a receipt?
Requesting a receipt at a market stall.
Torno domani — lo tiene da parte?
I'll come back tomorrow — can you set it aside for me?
Asking the vendor to reserve a product for collection the next day.
Qual è il migliore in questo momento?
What is the best one right now?
Asking which product is at peak quality at that particular moment in the season.
Me ne dà esattamente due etti?
Can you give me exactly two hundred grams?
Requesting a very precise weight, often for expensive items like cheese, truffle, or cured meat.
Come si cucina questo?
How do you cook this?
Asking the vendor for cooking advice — extremely common at Italian markets.
Questo è un prodotto tipico della zona?
Is this a typical local product?
Asking whether a product is authentically regional — important for food tourism.
Posso portare la mia sporta?
Can I bring my own shopping bag?
Confirming that you can use your own reusable bag at a stall.
Quando arriva la merce fresca?
When does the fresh stock arrive?
Asking about delivery schedules so you can plan your market visit accordingly.
Ne compro in grande quantità — mi fa un prezzo all'ingrosso?
I'm buying in large quantity — will you give me a wholesale price?
Negotiating bulk pricing when buying large quantities, e.g. for a restaurant or event.
Ha le verdure già pulite?
Do you have the vegetables already cleaned?
Asking whether a vendor sells pre-washed and prepared vegetables — a growing market offering.
Ha la ricotta fresca di pecora?
Do you have fresh sheep's ricotta?
Asking for a specific type of ricotta at a cheese or dairy stall.
È un mercato contadino?
Is this a farmers' market?
Asking whether the market sells only farm-direct produce from the growers themselves.
Questo era andato a male — posso cambiarlo?
This had gone bad — can I exchange it?
Returning to a vendor with a product that spoiled prematurely.
Sono un cliente abituale — mi conosce già.
I'm a regular customer — you already know me.
Reminding a vendor of your established relationship, often to receive preferential service.
Grazie — buona giornata a lei!
Thank you — have a nice day to you!
Saying goodbye warmly at the end of a market transaction.
Torna qui il mercato la settimana prossima?
Is the market here again next week?
Ask when visiting a town temporarily and want to plan a return market visit, or when you have missed something and want to come back.
Vendete anche prodotti trasformati?
Do you also sell processed products?
Ask at farm stalls to find out if the producer also makes preserves, jams, sauces, or cured products from their own produce.
Vorrei un mazzo di fiori, per favore.
I would like a bunch of flowers, please.
Italian markets often include flower stalls. Flowers are frequently bought as gifts for hosts or to bring colour to the home.
Il pesce è di giornata?
Is the fish caught today?
Ask before buying fish to confirm it is from today's catch. 'Di giornata' is the essential Italian freshness indicator for fish.