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PhrasesReading Signs and MapsCosa significa la freccia gialla?
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Cosa significa la freccia gialla?

What does the yellow arrow mean?

Pronunciation

'Freccia' — FRECH-cha. The 'cc' before 'i' is the 'tch' sound. Double 'c' is held briefly. Stress on the first syllable.

When to use it

Ask when you see coloured arrows in tourist areas, on hiking trails, or near construction diversions and are not sure which to follow.

What it means

'Freccia' means arrow. 'Gialla' agrees with 'freccia' (feminine) — an adjective following the noun, standard in Italian. This is a good model for describing signs: 'il cartello rosso' (red sign), 'la linea verde' (green line), 'il simbolo blu' (blue symbol).

Variations

Dove porta questa freccia?

Where does this arrow lead?

Asks the destination the arrow is pointing to.

Devo seguire le frecce o la mappa?

Should I follow the arrows or the map?

When arrows and map seem to contradict each other.

Le frecce bianche sono per i pedoni?

Are the white arrows for pedestrians?

Identifies who the arrows are aimed at.

Mini Dialogue

— Cosa significa la freccia gialla? — Indica la deviazione per i lavori. Segui quella. — E la freccia bianca? — Quella è per il percorso turistico normale.

— What does the yellow arrow mean? — It indicates the detour for the works. Follow that one. — And the white arrow? — That one is for the normal tourist route.

Cultural Note

Yellow arrows on Italian roads indicate temporary diversions (deviazioni) around construction zones. White arrows are permanent road markings. In the Camino de Santiago network that passes through northern Italy, yellow arrows mark the pilgrim route.