FastItalian LearningSign in
PhrasesOn the TrainQuesto è davvero il Frecciarossa? È enorme!
A1informal

Questo è davvero il Frecciarossa? È enorme!

Is this really the Frecciarossa? It's enormous!

Pronunciation

fre-ccia-ROS-sa — stress on third syllable. e-NOR-me — stress on second syllable.

When to use it

When boarding a high-speed train for the first time and being impressed by its size.

What it means

'Davvero' (really/truly) adds emphasis and genuine surprise. 'È enorme' (it's enormous) — 'enorme' is similar to English. The Frecciarossa 1000 is indeed an impressive machine — 202 metres long, travelling up to 300 km/h, with a distinctive red design by Italdesign.

Variations

È questo il treno più veloce d'Italia?

Is this the fastest train in Italy?

Yes — the Frecciarossa 1000 can reach 400 km/h in testing

L'interno è molto moderno e confortevole.

The interior is very modern and comfortable.

Complimenting the train design — Italians are proud of it

Quanto può andare veloce?

How fast can it go?

Commercial service: up to 300 km/h; tested at 400 km/h

Mini Dialogue

— Questo è davvero il Frecciarossa? È enorme! — Sì, è il Frecciarossa 1000 — il più moderno d'Italia. — Quanto va veloce? — Fino a trecento chilometri orari in servizio commerciale.

— Is this really the Frecciarossa? It's enormous! — Yes, it's the Frecciarossa 1000 — the most modern in Italy. — How fast does it go? — Up to three hundred kilometres per hour in commercial service.

Cultural Note

The Frecciarossa 1000 (ETR 1000) was built by a Bombardier-AnsaldoBreda consortium and entered service in 2015. It set a European speed record of 393 km/h. It holds up to 457 passengers across its four classes: Standard, Premium, Business, and Executive. Its design is by Italdesign, the firm behind many iconic Italian cars.