È permesso fumare in camera?

Is smoking allowed in the room?

Pronunciation

per-MES-so — three syllables, stress on the second.

When to use it

Ask at check-in if you are a smoker who needs to know the hotel's policy. All Italian hotels must comply with national smoking laws.

What it means

'È permesso' means 'is it permitted/allowed'. The past participle 'permesso' acts as an adjective here. The negative form is 'non è permesso' or 'è vietato' (it is forbidden). Italy banned indoor smoking in public places including hotels in 2005.

Variations

Avete camere per fumatori?

Do you have rooms for smokers?

Most Italian hotels are entirely non-smoking — very few still have smoking rooms

C'è un'area fumatori?

Is there a smoking area?

Many hotels have a designated outdoor smoking area

C'è un balcone dove posso fumare?

Is there a balcony where I can smoke?

Balcony smoking policies vary by hotel

Mini Dialogue

— È permesso fumare in camera? — No, l'hotel è completamente non fumatori. C'è un'area fumatori in giardino. — Va bene. Dove si trova esattamente? — Uscendo dal bar, sulla sinistra.

— Is smoking allowed in the room? — No, the hotel is completely non-smoking. There is a smoking area in the garden. — That is fine. Where exactly is it? — Going out of the bar, on the left.

Cultural Note

Italy was actually ahead of many countries in banning indoor smoking, passing its comprehensive law in January 2005. Smoking in any enclosed public space, including hotel rooms, is illegal and can result in fines for both the guest and the hotel.

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C'è un bar nell'hotel?

Ha un adattatore elettrico?

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