Phrases › At the Museum › Si possono fare fotografie?

Si possono fare fotografie?

Is it allowed to take photographs?

Pronunciation

see poh-SOH-noh FA-reh foh-toh-GRA-fee-eh. Note the plural 'si possono' because photographs (fotografie) is plural.

When to use it

Ask at the entrance or before photographing a specific piece. Rules vary greatly between museums and even between rooms within the same museum.

What it means

Si possono is the impersonal plural form — si può for singular subjects, si possono for plural. Fotografie is the plural of fotografia. Flash photography (il flash) is almost universally banned.

Variations

Posso fare una foto senza flash?

Can I take a photo without flash?

Often flash is banned even where photos are allowed.

È permesso fotografare questa sala?

Is it permitted to photograph this room?

Room-specific question using 'permesso'.

Posso usare il treppiede?

Can I use a tripod?

Tripods are usually banned or require special permission.

Mini Dialogue

— Si possono fare fotografie? — Sì, ma senza flash e senza treppiede. — E per uso personale o anche per pubblicazione? — Solo per uso personale, non commerciale. — Capito, grazie.

— Is it allowed to take photographs? — Yes, but without flash and without a tripod. — And for personal use or also for publication? — Only for personal use, not commercial. — Understood, thank you.

Cultural Note

The Vatican Museums prohibit photography in the Sistine Chapel, though this rule is widely ignored. Staff do announce the ban in multiple languages. In the Uffizi, photography is generally permitted without flash.

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Mi scusi, si può toccare?

A che ora chiude il museo?

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