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PhrasesCalling PoliceC'è stato un furto.
A2

C'è stato un furto.

There has been a theft.

Pronunciation

FOOR-toh — short 'u', like 'foot' without the final consonant softness.

When to use it

Use to report a theft without specifying exactly what was stolen. Works well as an opening statement when you need immediate police presence.

What it means

'C'è stato' is the passato prossimo of 'c'è'. 'Furto' covers theft generally — pickpocketing, bag-snatching, and burglary all fall under this term.

Variations

Mi hanno rubato la borsa.

My bag was stolen.

More specific — names the item taken.

Ho subito un furto.

I have suffered a theft.

Formal phrasing often used in written reports.

Qualcuno ha rubato il mio zaino.

Someone stole my backpack.

Emphasizes an unknown perpetrator.

Mini Dialogue

— 113, ditemi. — C'è stato un furto nel mio appartamento. — Quando se n'è accorto/a? — Ho appena aperto la porta e ho visto tutto a soqquadro.

— 113, go ahead. — There has been a theft in my apartment. — When did you notice? — I just opened the door and saw everything ransacked.

Cultural Note

Police advise residents to avoid touching anything inside a burgled home before officers arrive, to preserve forensic evidence.