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PhrasesChecking Into HotelMi può dare la chiave della camera, per favore?
A2formal

Mi può dare la chiave della camera, per favore?

Can you give me the room key, please?

Pronunciation

CHIA-ve — two syllables, stress on the first. The 'ch' is always hard in Italian, like 'k'.

When to use it

After completing check-in paperwork. Some older Italian hotels still use physical metal keys rather than cards.

What it means

'Mi può dare' uses the modal verb 'potere' in the third person formal (Lei form). This is the polite way to make requests at a hotel front desk. 'Mi' is the indirect object pronoun 'to me'.

Variations

Ha una chiave magnetica?

Do you have a key card?

Ask this if you prefer a card to a bulky metal key

Vorrei una seconda chiave, per favore.

I would like a second key, please.

Useful for couples sharing a room

Ho dimenticato la chiave in camera.

I left the key in the room.

What to say if you lock yourself out

Mini Dialogue

— Ecco la sua chiave, camera 302 al terzo piano. — Grazie. Mi può dare anche una seconda chiave? — Certamente. Siete in due? — Sì, mia moglie arriva più tardi.

— Here is your key, room 302 on the third floor. — Thank you. Can you give me a second key as well? — Certainly. Are there two of you? — Yes, my wife is arriving later.

Cultural Note

Many Italian hotels ask you to leave your key at reception when going out. This is both a security tradition and an energy-saving measure — older buildings often use the key to activate electricity in the room.