38 phrases · Levels: A1A2B1B2
Quanto costa?
How much does it cost?
The most essential shopping phrase in Italian. Use it for any item — food at a market, clothing in a boutique, a ticket at a museum. Short, universal, and universally understood.
Posso pagare con la carta?
Can I pay by card?
Ask this before reaching the till, especially in smaller Italian shops. Despite EU rules, some small businesses in Italy still prefer cash. Checking avoids an embarrassing moment at the counter.
Mi dà lo scontrino, per favore?
Can you give me the receipt, please?
Always ask for the receipt in Italy — both for your own records and because it is legally required. The receipt is called 'scontrino fiscale' and its issuance is monitored by the tax authority.
Pago in contanti.
I'll pay cash.
State this at the till when you intend to pay cash. This avoids any confusion and allows the cashier to prepare the correct change.
Ha il resto?
Do you have change?
Ask before handing over a large banknote, especially early in the morning when shops may not have change yet. This is considerate and prevents an awkward refusal at the till.
Quant'è in tutto?
How much is it altogether?
Use at the till when buying multiple items to hear the total before paying. Natural and common in all shopping contexts.
C'è un supplemento per pagare con la carta?
Is there a surcharge for paying by card?
Ask before paying in small or independent Italian shops, where card surcharges sometimes still appear illegally. Knowing the surcharge allows you to decide whether to use cash instead.
Posso pagare a rate?
Can I pay in instalments?
Ask for larger purchases — furniture, electronics, appliances. Many Italian retailers offer interest-free instalments ('finanziamento a zero interessi') for purchases over a certain threshold.
Posso avere la ricevuta fiscale?
Can I have the fiscal receipt?
Use when you need a formal fiscal receipt for expense reimbursement, business accounting, or tax deductions. The 'ricevuta fiscale' includes the seller's VAT number and is legally different from a simple receipt.
Devo inserire il PIN?
Do I need to enter my PIN?
Ask when approaching a card reader if you are unsure whether to tap or insert and enter a PIN. In Italy, contactless payments are standard under €50 but amounts above may require a PIN.
Il pagamento non è andato a buon fine.
The payment did not go through.
Use when the card reader shows an error or declines. Stay calm — this can happen for many technical reasons unrelated to your account balance.
Ha prezzi fissi?
Do you have fixed prices?
Ask at markets, antique fairs, or artisan stalls where prices are often negotiable. In regular shops, prices are always fixed — but in informal settings, this question opens the door to bargaining.
Vorrei una fattura intestata a me.
I would like an invoice made out to me.
Use for business purchases, expense reports, or when you need an official invoice for tax purposes. The 'fattura' is a formal Italian legal document with specific fields required by tax law.
C'è uno sconto per gli studenti?
Is there a student discount?
Ask at museums, theatres, cinemas, transport, and some shops. Many Italian cultural institutions offer student discounts, often with an ISIC card or university ID.
Posso avere lo scontrino per il rimborso spese?
Can I have the receipt for expense reimbursement?
Use on business trips to collect receipts that your employer will reimburse. In Italy, both the scontrino fiscale and the fattura are accepted as expense documents, depending on employer requirements.
Accettate assegni?
Do you accept cheques?
Cheques are still occasionally used in Italy for large transactions (property, car purchases) or between businesses. Rare in retail, but worth knowing the phrase.
Emette anche la ricevuta digitale?
Do you also issue a digital receipt?
Ask when you prefer to go paperless or if you want a receipt that is easier to store and search. Digital receipts ('scontrini digitali') are increasingly available in Italian chain shops.
L'IVA è inclusa nel prezzo?
Is VAT included in the price?
Ask in business contexts or when comparing prices. In Italy, all consumer prices must display VAT included. However, in B2B quotes or online platforms, prices may be shown excluding VAT.
C'è uno sconto per pagamento in contanti?
Is there a discount for cash payment?
Ask at markets, small shops, or in negotiations for services (plumbers, builders, etc.). Cash discounts are common in Italy — partly legitimate (saving card processing fees) and partly informal economy.
Quando chiude la cassa?
When does the till close?
Ask near closing time to ensure you can complete your purchase. Italian shops have specific till-closing procedures and may stop accepting payments before the physical door closes.
Il prezzo in vetrina è diverso da quello al banco.
The price in the window is different from the one at the counter.
Use when you are charged more than the displayed price. In Italy, the displayed price is legally binding — if you are charged more, you can refuse to pay the difference.
Posso pagare metà con la carta e metà in contanti?
Can I pay half by card and half in cash?
Use when you want to split payment between two methods — common when you have limited cash or want to use up a gift card alongside a card. Most modern POS systems support split payments.
C'è un importo minimo per usare la carta?
Is there a minimum amount to use the card?
Ask in small Italian shops, cafes, or kiosks before paying for a small item by card. Many small businesses have informal minimum thresholds for card payments.
Tengo lo scontrino per la garanzia.
I'll keep the receipt for the warranty.
Say this out loud (or to yourself as a reminder) when completing a purchase of electronics, appliances, or any warranty-covered item. The scontrino is your proof of purchase for warranty claims.
Questo è già il prezzo scontato?
Is this already the discounted price?
Ask when you see a price tag and are not sure if it is the sale price or the original price. During Italian 'saldi' (official sales), both prices should be displayed — original crossed out and sale price shown.
Posso ricevere una copia dello scontrino?
Can I receive a copy of the receipt?
Ask when you lose a receipt or when you need a duplicate. In Italy, shops can reprint receipts from their fiscal register for recent transactions. For older receipts, they may need to check archival records.
Il mio telefono è scarico — non riesco a mostrare il pagamento.
My phone is dead — I can't show the payment.
Use when your phone's battery dies and you cannot access a digital wallet, QR code, or e-ticket. A common modern dilemma — knowing how to explain it in Italian saves embarrassment.
Come funziona la lotteria degli scontrini?
How does the receipt lottery work?
Ask if you are new to Italy or if a cashier mentions 'codice lotteria'. The receipt lottery was introduced to incentivise customers to request fiscal receipts, fighting tax evasion.
Quanto tempo ci vuole per vedere il rimborso sulla carta?
How long does it take to see the refund on my card?
Ask after a card refund is processed. Important to know so you can monitor your bank account and follow up if the refund does not appear within the stated time.
Pagate insieme o separatamente?
Are you paying together or separately?
This is what a waiter or cashier will ask when you are in a group. Know the answer in advance — either 'insieme' (together) or 'separatamente' (separately) or 'ognuno per sé' (each their own).
Ho bisogno di uno scontrino dettagliato.
I need an itemised receipt.
Request this for business expenses, medical deductions, or when you need to verify the breakdown of a bill. Restaurants and hotels can usually provide itemised bills ('conto dettagliato').
Credo che il conto sia sbagliato.
I think the bill is wrong.
Use politely when you suspect an error on your bill or receipt. Always check receipts in Italy — errors do occur. Approach this calmly — a mistake is usually quickly corrected without confrontation.
Accettate i buoni pasto?
Do you accept meal vouchers?
Ask at restaurants, supermarkets, and cafes when you have employer-issued meal vouchers. Meal vouchers are widely accepted in Italian restaurants and food shops.
Non ho spiccioli.
I don't have small change / coins.
Say this when you only have large notes and need to pay cash. Helps the cashier understand you cannot give exact change and alerts them to prepare to make change for you.
La transazione è in corso.
The transaction is in progress.
You will see or hear this phrase on card terminals during processing. Knowing it means you should wait — do not remove your card until 'transazione completata' or 'pagamento approvato' appears.
Posso avere una busta?
Can I have a bag?
Ask at the till after paying if you need a bag. In Italy, plastic bags are charged (by law) and many shops offer paper or reusable bags. This is often part of the payment transaction.
Quanto viene al chilo?
How much is it per kilogram?
Essential at food markets, cheese counters, deli counters, and fresh fish and meat shops where products are sold by weight. Use this before buying so you know what to expect to pay.
Accettate Satispay?
Do you accept Satispay?
Ask in Italian shops, restaurants, and bars whether they accept Italy's own mobile payment app. Satispay has grown enormously in Italy and is now accepted at hundreds of thousands of merchants.