Do you live here in the city or are you just passing through?
'Abiti' = A-bi-ti, stress on first syllable. 'Passaggio' = pas-SAG-gio.
Use this to establish whether someone is a local or a visitor — an important distinction for how the friendship might develop. It opens conversations about local knowledge, travel plans, and how long someone will be in town.
'Abitare' (to live/reside) is a regular -are verb. 'Di passaggio' is an idiom meaning 'passing through' or 'in transit'. It is literally 'of passage' — a fixed expression that cannot be substituted with other words.
Sei qui per lavoro o per piacere?
Are you here for work or for pleasure?
Establishes the purpose of the visit
Da quanto tempo vivi qui?
How long have you been living here?
For people you have established are local
Sei in vacanza qui?
Are you on holiday here?
Simple, direct alternative
Italians are famously generous with local recommendations ('consigli'). If a local asks whether you are visiting, they will almost certainly offer restaurant tips, hidden gems, and warnings about tourist traps. This hospitality ('ospitalità') is a point of national pride and genuine cultural warmth.