Phrases › Bargaining at the Market › Questo è di seconda mano?

Questo è di seconda mano?

Is this second-hand?

Pronunciation

'Seconda' — 'se-KON-da'. Three syllables, stress on second.

When to use it

At flea markets ('mercatini delle pulci') or antique markets when you're not sure if something is new or used. The distinction affects both price expectations and negotiating power.

What it means

'Di seconda mano' = second-hand (literally 'of second hand'). Also: 'usato' (used), 'vintage' (Anglicism for curated second-hand), 'dell'usato' (from the second-hand category).

Variations

È usato?

Is it used?

'Usato' = used — the standard Italian word for second-hand

Quanti anni ha questo oggetto?

How old is this object?

Asking age — important for pricing second-hand goods

Ha qualche difetto nascosto?

Does it have any hidden defects?

Asking about hidden flaws — important for used items

Mini Dialogue

Cliente: Questa macchina fotografica è di seconda mano? Venditore: Sì — era di un fotografo professionista. Ha pochissimi scatti. Cliente: Come si dimostra? Venditore: Il contatore dice tremila scatti su un corpo buono per duecentomila.

Customer: Is this camera second-hand? Vendor: Yes — it belonged to a professional photographer. Very few shots taken. Customer: How do you prove it? Vendor: The counter says three thousand shots on a body good for two hundred thousand.

Cultural Note

Italian flea markets ('mercatini delle pulci') are excellent places for vintage photography equipment, old vinyl records, antique kitchenware and obsolete Italian technology. Portobello-style markets run regularly in most Italian cities.

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