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PhrasesAt the Petrol StationFaccia il pieno, per favore.
A1formal

Faccia il pieno, per favore.

Fill it up, please.

Pronunciation

'Pieno' — 'PYE-no'. Two syllables; 'ie' is a diphthong. The phrase literally means 'make it full'.

When to use it

Use with a pump attendant when you want the tank filled completely. This is the most common request at Italian petrol stations with attendants.

What it means

'Faccia' is the formal imperative of 'fare'. 'Il pieno' literally means 'the full one' — it is the standard Italian expression for filling up a tank. Always follow with 'per favore' for politeness.

Variations

Metta venti euro di benzina.

Put in twenty euros of petrol.

Specifies a monetary amount rather than filling up completely.

Trenta euro di diesel, grazie.

Thirty euros of diesel, please.

Specifies both amount and fuel type.

Mezzo pieno, per favore.

Half full, please.

Asks for a partial fill — less common but understood.

Mini Dialogue

— Faccia il pieno, per favore. — Benzina o diesel? — Benzina senza piombo. — Subito. Vuole anche il finestrino pulito?

— Fill it up, please. — Petrol or diesel? — Unleaded petrol. — Right away. Would you like the windscreen cleaned too?

Cultural Note

Italy has both self-service ('fai da te' or 'self') and attended service ('servito') pumps. The attended service costs more per litre but is standard at older or rural stations. Always check which mode is active.