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PhrasesAt the Post OfficeHo scritto l'indirizzo sbagliato sulla busta — posso annullare la spedizione?
B2formal

Ho scritto l'indirizzo sbagliato sulla busta — posso annullare la spedizione?

I wrote the wrong address on the envelope — can I cancel the shipment?

Pronunciation

an-nul-LA-re — four syllables; double 'l' is geminate; stress on the third syllable.

When to use it

Use this immediately after realising you've made an addressing error. Cancellation is only possible if the letter/parcel has not yet been processed or dispatched.

What it means

'Ho scritto' (I wrote) uses passato prossimo. 'Sbagliato' (wrong) is a past participle used as adjective. 'Annullare la spedizione' (to cancel the shipment). Cancellation is possible only if you catch the error very quickly — once the item enters the sorting stream it cannot be recalled without significant effort.

Variations

Il pacco non è ancora partito?

Has the parcel not left yet?

Urgent question to check if cancellation is still possible

Posso correggere l'indirizzo?

Can I correct the address?

If cancellation is impossible, you may be able to redirect

Come faccio a far tornare indietro un pacco già spedito?

How do I get a parcel that's already been sent back?

The recall (richiamo) process is complex and not always possible

Mini Dialogue

— Ho scritto l'indirizzo sbagliato sulla busta — posso annullare la spedizione? — Quando l'ha consegnata? — Cinque minuti fa. — Se non è ancora passata al sorting, posso fermarla. Vada allo sportello principale. — La prego!

— I wrote the wrong address on the envelope — can I cancel the shipment? — When did you hand it in? — Five minutes ago. — If it hasn't gone to sorting yet, I can stop it. Go to the main counter. — Please!

Cultural Note

Once a letter or parcel enters the Italian postal system, intercepting it becomes extremely difficult. The sorting machines process items within minutes of submission. The best outcome for a misdirected item is that it is returned by the recipient — Italian postal law requires recipients to facilitate returns of misaddressed mail. However, this relies on the goodwill of the unintended recipient.