Phrases › Bargaining at the Market › Da dove viene questa merce?

Da dove viene questa merce?

Where does this merchandise come from?

Pronunciation

'Merce' — 'MER-che'. Two syllables. Soft 'c' before 'e'. Stress on first syllable.

When to use it

At markets where goods might be imported, second-hand or of uncertain origin. Important for antiques, textiles and food products.

What it means

'Merce' = merchandise/goods. 'Da dove viene' = where does it come from. 'Viene' from 'venire' = to come. A full, formal-sounding question that signals you're a serious, knowledgeable buyer.

Variations

È importata dall'estero?

Is it imported from abroad?

Asking if it's foreign goods

Da che regione proviene?

From which region does it come?

More specific — asking for the Italian region of origin

Chi ha fabbricato questo?

Who manufactured this?

Asking for the manufacturer — useful for artisan goods

Mini Dialogue

Cliente: Da dove viene questa merce? Questi tessuti. Venditore: Vengo dal Comasco — là dove si produce la seta italiana. Questi sono seta di Como, cento percento. Cliente: È la famosa seta di Como? Venditore: La stessa — esportata in tutto il mondo per l'alta moda.

Customer: Where does this merchandise come from? These fabrics. Vendor: I come from the Como area — where Italian silk is produced. These are Como silk, one hundred percent. Customer: Is it the famous Como silk? Vendor: The very same — exported worldwide for high fashion.

Cultural Note

Lake Como (Lago di Como) produces about 75% of Europe's silk fabric and supplies Gucci, Hermès, Prada and Versace. Local market vendors selling Como silk fabrics are selling something genuinely world-class — at prices far below boutique retail.

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