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PhrasesTaking a TaxiPuò aspettare cinque minuti fuori?
A2formal

Può aspettare cinque minuti fuori?

Can you wait five minutes outside?

Pronunciation

'Fuori' — 'FWO-ri'. Two syllables; 'uo' is a diphthong pronounced in one beat.

When to use it

Ask when you need to quickly pick something up from a building while the driver waits outside rather than driving around the block.

What it means

'Fuori' means outside. Combined with 'può aspettare' (can you wait), this requests the driver to park and wait. The meter continues running, which is the standard Italian arrangement for waiting.

Variations

Parcheggi qui un momento.

Park here for a moment.

More direct; 'parcheggi' is the formal imperative of 'parcheggiare'.

Sono veloce, massimo tre minuti.

I'll be quick, three minutes maximum.

Reassures the driver with a specific timeframe.

Mette le quattro frecce?

Can you put on the hazard lights?

Practical request for safety when stopped outside a building.

Mini Dialogue

— Può aspettare cinque minuti fuori? — Certo. Metto le quattro frecce. — Grazie, sono velocissima. — Prenda il suo tempo, il tassametro va.

— Can you wait five minutes outside? — Of course. I'll put on the hazard lights. — Thank you, I'll be very quick. — Take your time, the meter's running.

Cultural Note

Double-parking ('doppia fila') is extremely common in Italian cities, especially in historic centres with no stopping space. Taxi drivers are very used to this and know where they can safely pause.