What does 'senso unico' mean?
'Senso unico' — SEN-so U-ni-co. Two separate words; the 'u' in 'unico' is close and rounded.
Ask when you see this sign on a street and are not sure whether you can drive or walk in both directions. It appears frequently in the narrow streets (vicoli) of Italian historic centres.
'Senso' means direction or sense. 'Unico' means unique or only. 'Senso unico' therefore means one-way (only one direction of travel). The opposite sign 'senso alternato' means one lane alternating two-way traffic, common on narrow mountain roads.
Posso passare da qui?
Can I pass through here?
Direct question about whether the route is accessible.
È vietato il transito?
Is transit prohibited?
Ask about a general prohibition sign.
Dove posso girare?
Where can I turn?
When you need to find a way around a one-way street.
Italian historic city centres are full of 'senso unico' streets. GPS navigation apps sometimes fail to account for recent changes to one-way systems in Italian towns. Local taxi drivers always know the current street rules better than any app.