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PhrasesTravel ProblemsHo perso il pullman.
A2

Ho perso il pullman.

I missed the coach.

Pronunciation

'Pullman' is an English loanword used in Italian, pronounced PULL-man with stress on the first syllable.

When to use it

Say this at the coach station (stazione degli autobus or autostazione) when your coach has departed without you. Or use it to explain why you need an alternative to a tour organiser.

What it means

'Pullman' (coach) is used in Italian for long-distance coaches, as opposed to 'autobus' (city bus). 'Ho perso il pullman' follows the same structure as 'ho perso il treno'. The interchangeable nature of 'perdere' for missing time-sensitive transport is a key Italian language pattern.

Variations

C'è un altro pullman per Siena?

Is there another coach to Siena?

Ask about the next service after missing one.

Il pullman ha aspettato?

Did the coach wait?

Ask if the driver delayed departure.

Posso prendere un treno invece?

Can I take a train instead?

Consider alternative transport.

Mini Dialogue

— Ho perso il pullman per Firenze, cosa faccio? — C'è un treno Italo tra mezz'ora da questo binario. — Costa molto di più? — Un po' sì, ma è più veloce.

— I missed the coach to Florence, what do I do? — There's an Italo train in half an hour from this platform. — Is it much more expensive? — A little yes, but it's faster.

Cultural Note

Italy has an extensive inter-city coach network operated by companies like FlixBus, Marino, and Baltour. Coaches are often cheaper than trains but slower. The main coach station in large Italian cities is usually near or adjacent to the main train station.