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PhrasesHiking in ItalyCome si attraversa il torrente?
B1

Come si attraversa il torrente?

How do you cross the stream?

Pronunciation

Attraversa: at-tra-VER-sah. Stress on the third syllable. Torrente: tor-REN-teh — a mountain stream or torrent.

When to use it

Use when you reach a river crossing and are unsure of the safest route. In spring and early summer, snowmelt can make Italian mountain streams dangerously fast.

What it means

Come si attraversa means 'how does one cross / how is it crossed' — impersonal reflexive construction. Torrente is a mountain stream, typically faster and wilder than a river.

Variations

C'è un ponte più avanti?

Is there a bridge further ahead?

Always ask about bridges before attempting a ford.

Il torrente è in piena?

Is the stream in flood?

In piena — in flood — critical safety question after rain.

È sicuro guadarlo adesso?

Is it safe to wade it now?

Guadare — to ford/wade. Only attempt calm streams.

Mini Dialogue

— Come si attraversa il torrente? — Più avanti ci sono dei massi. Si salta da uno all'altro. — E se c'è acqua alta? — Allora si torna indietro. Non si rischia mai con i torrenti in piena.

— How do you cross the stream? — Further ahead there are boulders. You hop from one to another. — And if the water is high? — Then you go back. You never take risks with streams in flood.

Cultural Note

Flash floods (piene improvvise) in Italian mountain streams are a serious danger, especially in narrow valleys (forre or gole). Several hikers die each year attempting to cross swollen streams. A clear trail morning can become impassable by afternoon after upland thunderstorms.