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PhrasesOn the TrainPuoi tenermi il posto? Vado al bagno.
A2informal

Puoi tenermi il posto? Vado al bagno.

Can you keep my seat? I'm going to the toilet.

Pronunciation

te-NER-mi — stress on second syllable. 'Bagno' is BA-gno.

When to use it

When sitting next to a friendly fellow passenger and needing to leave temporarily.

What it means

'Puoi tenermi' uses 'potere' in informal 'tu' form + 'tenermi' (keep for me). This informal question is appropriate after you've established a friendly rapport with the person next to you. 'Vado al bagno' (I'm going to the toilet) explains why you need the favour.

Variations

Può tenermi il posto? (formal)

Can you keep my seat? (formal)

The formal 'lei' version with 'può' instead of 'puoi'

Ci sei tu — torno subito.

You're here — I'll be right back.

Very informal — assuming the person will stay

Non si sieda nessuno qui — torno tra due minuti.

Don't let anyone sit here — I'll be back in two minutes.

Said to a stranger in an open seating context

Mini Dialogue

— Puoi tenermi il posto? Vado al bagno. — Sì, certo. Ma sbrigati — tra dieci minuti siamo a Bologna. — Velocissimo, grazie!

— Can you keep my seat? I'm going to the toilet. — Yes, of course. But be quick — we're in Bologna in ten minutes. — Very quick, thank you!

Cultural Note

Italians are generally helpful with small favours like keeping a seat. The informal 'tu' form is used with someone your age or younger, or after some friendly conversation. Use 'lei' (formal) with older passengers. It is considered impolite to leave your luggage on a seat for long periods on a crowded train.