Posso portare via quello che avanza?

Can I take away what is left over?

Pronunciation

a-VAN-za — three syllables, stress on the middle. 'Avanzare' here means 'to be left over'.

When to use it

At the end of a meal when you have not finished your dish and want to take the leftovers home.

What it means

The English term 'doggy bag' exists in Italian slang but the natural phrase is 'portare via quello che avanza' (to take away what is left over). The law on food waste (2016) obliges restaurants to provide containers for leftovers upon request — you have a legal right to ask.

Variations

Posso portarlo via?

Can I take it away?

Shorter — 'lo' refers back to the dish you have not finished

Mi dà un contenitore per il cibo?

Can you give me a container for the food?

More direct — asks explicitly for the container

Posso avere la doggy bag?

Can I have a doggy bag?

The English term is understood in tourist areas and by younger staff

Mini Dialogue

— Era buonissimo ma non riesco a finirlo. Posso portare via quello che avanza? — Certo! La legge lo prevede, gliene do volentieri un contenitore. — Grazie mille, un peccato sprecare. — Nessun problema, è la scelta giusta!

— It was delicious but I can't finish it. Can I take away what is left over? — Of course! The law provides for it, I'll happily give you a container. — Thank you so much, it would be a shame to waste it. — No problem, it's the right choice!

Cultural Note

Italy passed an anti-food-waste law in 2016 that encourages restaurants to offer containers for leftovers. Despite this, the practice is less common than in the US — but is growing, especially among younger Italians.

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Scusi, ho aspettato molto — quando arriva il mio piatto?

Ho una prenotazione a nome Ferrari.

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