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PhrasesOn the PlanePotete portarmi un bicchiere d'acqua?
A1

Potete portarmi un bicchiere d'acqua?

Can you bring me a glass of water?

Pronunciation

bic-CHIE-re — stress on second syllable. The double 'cc' creates a harder 'k' sound.

When to use it

During the flight when you are thirsty and want to ask cabin crew for water.

What it means

'Potete portarmi' (can you bring me) uses 'potere' in the second person plural — addressing the cabin crew collectively. 'Portarmi' is 'portare' + 'mi' (bring to me). 'Bicchiere d'acqua' (glass of water) is a very common request on any flight.

Variations

Posso avere del succo di frutta?

Can I have some fruit juice?

Common alternative to water — orange juice is most common

Avete caffè?

Do you have coffee?

Italians will seek coffee even at 30,000 feet

Una Coca-Cola, per favore.

A Coca-Cola, please.

Stating your order directly is also perfectly natural

Mini Dialogue

— Potete portarmi un bicchiere d'acqua? — Certo. Naturale o frizzante? — Naturale, grazie. Potete portarne anche ai miei figli? — Ovviamente. Sono in tre?

— Can you bring me a glass of water? — Of course. Still or sparkling? — Still, thank you. Can you bring some for my children too? — Of course. Are there three of them?

Cultural Note

Staying hydrated on flights is important as cabin air is very dry. Water is generally free of charge on most European flights, though budget carriers may charge. Italians have a strong preference for still water ('naturale') over sparkling ('frizzante'), though both are widely available.