What does the 'Give Way' sign mean?
'Precedenza' — pre-che-DEN-tsa. The 'c' before 'e' is soft; the 'z' at the end is 'ts'. Stress on the third syllable.
Ask when you see an inverted white triangle with a red border at an intersection. This sign means you must give way to traffic already on the road ahead.
'Dare precedenza' means give priority/right of way. 'Dare' (to give) + 'precedenza' (priority/precedence). This is the Italian equivalent of the UK 'Give Way' and the US 'Yield'. The sign shape — inverted triangle — is internationally standardised.
Chi ha la precedenza all'incrocio?
Who has right of way at the intersection?
General question about intersection rules.
Devo fermarmi o solo rallentare?
Do I need to stop or just slow down?
Yield means slow and look; stop sign means full stop.
C'è uno stop o una precedenza?
Is there a stop sign or a give way sign?
Distinguishes between the two obligation signs.
In Italy, without a specific sign, the rule is 'dare la precedenza a destra' — give way to vehicles coming from the right at unmarked intersections. This rule is widely observed in small towns and villages. In cities, traffic lights and roundabouts override this rule.