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PhrasesOn the MetroMi sono sbagliato di treno.
A2

Mi sono sbagliato di treno.

I got on the wrong train.

Pronunciation

'Sbagliato' — zba-LYA-to. Initial 'sb' cluster; the 'gli' sounds like 'ly'.

When to use it

Say this when you realise after boarding that you are on the wrong line or direction. You can say this to a fellow passenger while deciding what to do.

What it means

'Mi sono sbagliato' uses the reflexive passato prossimo of 'sbagliarsi' (to make a mistake). The phrase 'di treno' specifies what you got wrong. You could also say 'ho preso il treno sbagliato' (I took the wrong train) — both are natural.

Variations

Ho preso la direzione sbagliata.

I took the wrong direction.

Specifies that the direction was the error.

Devo scendere alla prossima e tornare indietro.

I need to get off at the next stop and go back.

States the solution after realising the mistake.

Dove posso invertire la rotta?

Where can I turn back?

Asks where the best place to reverse direction is.

Mini Dialogue

— Mi sono sbagliato di treno, vado nella direzione opposta! — Scendi alla prossima fermata e prendi quello dall'altro lato. — Quanto tempo mi costa? — Solo dieci minuti in più, niente di grave.

— I got on the wrong train, I'm going in the opposite direction! — Get off at the next stop and take the one from the other side. — How much time does it cost me? — Only ten minutes more, nothing serious.

Cultural Note

Making a directional mistake on an Italian metro is very easy for visitors because signs show the terminus name, not a compass direction. Locals navigate by knowing terminus names: 'Battistini' is west on Rome's line A, 'Anagnina' is east.