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PhrasesOn the MetroQuesto posto è riservato.
A1

Questo posto è riservato.

This seat is reserved.

Pronunciation

'Riservato' — ri-ser-VA-to. Stress on the third syllable.

When to use it

Use this to inform someone that the seat they are about to take is a priority seat (for the elderly, pregnant, or disabled), or to hold a seat for someone.

What it means

'Riservato' is the past participle of 'riservare' used as an adjective. It means reserved or set aside. The phrase without a preposition implies reserved in a general sense; 'riservato a + noun' specifies for whom: 'riservato agli anziani' (reserved for the elderly).

Variations

Questo posto è per i disabili.

This seat is for people with disabilities.

More explicit statement of who the seat is for.

Stia attento, questo è un posto prioritario.

Be careful, this is a priority seat.

Warning someone politely before they sit.

Potrebbe cedere il posto?

Could you give up your seat?

Polite request to someone sitting in a priority seat.

Mini Dialogue

— [anziana alla persona seduta] Questo posto è riservato. — Oh, mi scusi, non avevo visto il cartello. — Non si preoccupi, grazie. — Prego, si accomodi.

— [elderly woman to seated person] This seat is reserved. — Oh, excuse me, I hadn't seen the sign. — Don't worry, thank you. — Please, sit down.

Cultural Note

Priority seats in Italian metros are marked with stickers showing a pregnant woman, an elderly person, a parent with a child, and a person with a disability. Giving up your seat is a social expectation, not just a courtesy.