FastItalian LearningSign in
PhrasesFood ShoppingCome funziona il tre per due?
A2

Come funziona il tre per due?

How does the three-for-two work?

Pronunciation

KO-me fun-TSYO-na il TRE per DU-e

When to use it

Asking for clarification on how a promotional offer works at the checkout or in the aisle.

What it means

The tre per due (three for the price of two) offer is Italy's most common supermarket promotion. You take three identical items to the checkout and pay only for two — the cheapest item is free. Some stores apply it automatically; others require all three to be scanned. Understanding the mechanics prevents confusion.

Variations

Si applica automaticamente alla cassa?

Is it applied automatically at the checkout?

Asking whether the offer is applied without any action required

Devono essere tutti e tre uguali?

Do all three need to be the same?

Clarifying whether different varieties count

Quale dei tre è gratis?

Which of the three is free?

Asking which item (typically the cheapest) is deducted

Mini Dialogue

— Come funziona il tre per due sulla mozzarella? — Prende tre confezioni — alla cassa la meno cara è gratis. — Devono essere tutte dello stesso tipo? — No — qualsiasi mozzarella in offerta.

— How does the three-for-two on mozzarella work? — You take three packs — at the checkout the cheapest is free. — Do they all need to be the same type? — No — any mozzarella that's on offer.

Cultural Note

Italian supermarket promotions are so sophisticated that some shoppers use apps like VolantinoFacile.it to cross-reference multiple chains' weekly offers before deciding where to shop. Promotional strategy literacy is a genuine consumer skill in Italy.