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PhrasesOn the TrainMi porta qualcosa da mangiare? Ho dimenticato di comprare qualcosa in stazione.
B1

Mi porta qualcosa da mangiare? Ho dimenticato di comprare qualcosa in stazione.

Can you bring me something to eat? I forgot to buy something at the station.

Pronunciation

por-TA-re — stress on second syllable. di-men-ti-CA-to — stress on fourth syllable.

When to use it

When you realise you are hungry after boarding and the train has a trolley or bar service.

What it means

'Mi porta' (can you bring me) is a polite request using the formal imperative or present of 'portare'. 'Ho dimenticato di' + infinitive (I forgot to...). This is a natural explanation that invites sympathy. Train staff are generally helpful with food requests.

Variations

Quando passa il carrello dei bar?

When does the bar trolley come?

Trolley service times vary by train type and route

Dove è il vagone bar?

Where is the bar carriage?

Walk to the bar car rather than waiting for the trolley

C'è qualcosa di salato? Ho solo fame di cibo salato.

Is there anything savoury? I only feel like savoury food.

Specify preference when ordering from the train bar

Mini Dialogue

— Mi porta qualcosa da mangiare? Ho dimenticato di comprare in stazione. — Certo. Abbiamo panini, crackers, frutta e dolci. — Un panino al prosciutto, grazie. E un caffè. — Subito. Quattro euro e cinquanta in tutto.

— Can you bring me something to eat? I forgot to buy something at the station. — Of course. We have sandwiches, crackers, fruit, and sweets. — A ham sandwich, please. And a coffee. — Right away. Four euros fifty in total.

Cultural Note

Italian train bar service (servizio bar) includes sandwiches (panini), pastries (cornetti, paste), fresh fruit, and hot and cold drinks. The espresso on Italian trains is famously decent — Illy coffee is served on Frecciarossa trains. Prices are higher than at stations but reasonable by Italian standards.