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PhrasesAt the TobacconistAvete cartine per sigarette?
A2

Avete cartine per sigarette?

Do you have rolling papers?

Pronunciation

car-TI-ne — three syllables; stress on the second. Do not confuse with 'cartine geografiche' (maps) — context will clarify.

When to use it

Use this when buying rolling papers for hand-rolled cigarettes. Tabaccherie always stock a range of rolling papers in different sizes.

What it means

'Cartine' is the plural of 'cartina'. In the context of a tabaccheria it always refers to rolling papers (cartine per sigarette). The most common sizes are normale (standard) and corta (short). Popular brands include OCB, Rizla, and Swan.

Variations

Vorrei le cartine OCB taglia normale.

I'd like OCB standard size rolling papers.

Specifying brand and size

Ha i filtri per le sigarette rollate?

Do you have filters for rolled cigarettes?

Slim cardboard or foam filters for hand-rolled cigarettes

Avete il tabacco per rollare?

Do you have roll-your-own tobacco?

Hand-rolling tobacco (also called trinciato) — looser cut than pipe tobacco

Mini Dialogue

— Avete cartine per sigarette? — Sì. Corte o lunghe? — Le King Size, grazie. — OCB o Rizla? — OCB. E se ha anche i filtrini... — Eccoli qui, tutto insieme.

— Do you have rolling papers? — Yes. Short or long? — King Size, please. — OCB or Rizla? — OCB. And if you also have the small filters... — Here they are, all together.

Cultural Note

Hand-rolled cigarettes (sigarette rollate) have seen a resurgence in Italy, partly for cost reasons and partly as an aesthetic or lifestyle choice. The tabaccheria remains the go-to place for rolling supplies. Some tobacconists also sell mechanical rolling machines.