Is there a strike today?
'Sciopero' — SCHO-pe-ro. The 'sci' sounds like 'sh' in English.
Ask this when the metro seems unusually empty or services are disrupted. Strikes in Italy are announced in advance and are a regular feature of public life.
'Sciopero' comes from an old word related to idleness. The verb form is 'scioperare'. Strikes in Italy are called 'a singhiozzo' (hiccup strikes) when they alternate working and non-working hours, making planning very confusing for travellers.
Il metro è in sciopero?
Is the metro on strike?
Direct version naming the metro specifically.
I treni circolano normalmente?
Are the trains running normally?
Asks about general service regularity.
Fino a che ora dura lo sciopero?
Until what time does the strike last?
Useful once you know there is a strike — plan your timing.
Italy has some of the most frequent public transport strikes in Europe. Websites like 'scioperi.mit.gov.it' list all planned strikes. The government requires 10 days' advance notice for transport strikes.