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PhrasesOn the TrainHa sentito il mio nome? Penso ci sia un annuncio.
B1

Ha sentito il mio nome? Penso ci sia un annuncio.

Did you hear my name? I think there was an announcement.

Pronunciation

an-NUN-cio — stress on second syllable. 'Sentito' is past participle of 'sentire'.

When to use it

When you heard an announcement on the train but couldn't understand what was said.

What it means

'Ha sentito' (did you hear) is passato prossimo of 'sentire' in formal 'lei' form. 'Penso ci sia' (I think there is) uses the subjunctive 'sia' after 'pensare' — intermediate-level grammar. Train announcements in Italy are in Italian only on domestic routes.

Variations

Non ho capito l'annuncio — può ripetere?

I didn't understand the announcement — can you repeat it?

Ask the inspector or a fellow passenger to explain

Cosa ha detto il conducente?

What did the driver say?

'Conducente' = driver (on trains); 'macchinista' is also used

C'è un annuncio importante che non ho capito.

There was an important announcement I didn't understand.

Alert the inspector you missed information

Mini Dialogue

— Ha sentito l'annuncio? Non ho capito. — Dicevano che il treno fermerà anche a Reggio Emilia per un guasto. — Ah! Ritarderemo? — Di circa dieci minuti soltanto.

— Did you hear the announcement? I didn't understand. — They said the train will also stop at Reggio Emilia due to a fault. — Ah! Will we be delayed? — By about ten minutes only.

Cultural Note

Train announcements in Italy are made in Italian only on domestic routes. The language is often technical and delivered quickly over a crackling PA system. If you miss an important announcement, ask a fellow passenger — Italians are invariably helpful in these situations. The Trenitalia app also shows real-time train alerts.