I need an interpreter.
in-TER-pre-teh — four syllables; stress on the second.
Use at the police station if your Italian is insufficient for a formal statement. Italian law guarantees the right to an interpreter during any official police procedure involving a foreign national.
Italian police are legally obligated to provide interpretation for foreign nationals who cannot communicate adequately in Italian. Request this right as soon as you arrive — do not give a statement without adequate language support.
Parla qualcuno inglese?
Does anyone speak English?
Informal first step before formally requesting an interpreter.
Posso avere un traduttore?
Can I have a translator?
'Traduttore' and 'interprete' are used interchangeably in everyday speech.
Non capisco abbastanza l'italiano per fare una dichiarazione.
I don't understand enough Italian to make a statement.
Explains your need clearly and triggers the legal obligation.
Major Italian city police stations increasingly have English-speaking officers, especially near tourist areas. However, a formal interpreter may need to be called for complex statements.