FastItalian LearningSign in
PhrasesOn the TrainHo sbagliato vagone. Posso andare al vagone 3?
A2

Ho sbagliato vagone. Posso andare al vagone 3?

I got the wrong carriage. Can I go to carriage 3?

Pronunciation

sba-GLIA-to — stress on second syllable. va-GO-ne — stress on second syllable.

When to use it

When you board the wrong carriage and need to walk through the train to reach your assigned seat.

What it means

'Ho sbagliato' (I got wrong/I made a mistake) is passato prossimo of 'sbagliare'. 'Vagone' (carriage). On Italian trains you can walk between carriages during the journey. It is polite to inform the inspector when changing carriages so they know where to find you.

Variations

Posso camminare tra i vagoni?

Can I walk between carriages?

Yes — carriages are connected on all Italian trains

Il vagone 3 è in avanti o indietro?

Is carriage 3 forward or back?

Orientation helps before you start walking

Mi sono seduto nel vagone sbagliato per tutto il viaggio!

I sat in the wrong carriage for the whole journey!

Amusing situation if your seat was already taken in the right carriage

Mini Dialogue

— Ho sbagliato vagone. Posso andare al vagone 3? — Certo, vada avanti — è il terzo dall'uscita. — Grazie. È lontano? — No, tre vagoni in avanti.

— I got the wrong carriage. Can I go to carriage 3? — Of course, go forward — it's the third from the exit. — Thank you. Is it far? — No, three carriages forward.

Cultural Note

Walking between carriages on Italian trains is always permitted during the journey. The connection areas between carriages can be noisy. Each carriage door must be pulled manually on older trains; on high-speed trains they open automatically with a button. Carriage numbers are displayed above the doors at each carriage entrance.