Siete aperti?
The English phrase "are you open?" is translated into Italian as Siete aperti?
This phrase is a question used to ask if a business or shop is currently available for customers.
Which one should you use?
Siete aperti? is used when addressing multiple people or a business collectively, whereas È aperto? is used for a single entity or person.
How does it change in a sentence?
The default form Siete aperti? uses the second-person plural to address the staff or the business as a collective group. Use the singular form È aperto? if you are referring to a single shop or a specific establishment rather than a group of people or a large business.
Did you know?
- In Italy, if you ask Siete aperti? during the 'riposo' or 'pausa pranzo', you might find many shops closed for a few hours in the middle of the day.
- The word siete might look like the Spanish word for 'seven', but it actually comes from the Latin 'estis' and means 'you are'.
- While Siete aperti? asks if a shop is open, the word aperto also describes a 'half-open' door or a person who is emotionally candid and honest.
Examples in context
- Mi scusi, siete aperti?Excuse me, are you open?
- L'ufficio postale è aperto?Is the post office open?
- L'enoteca è aperta?Is the wine bar open?
Example conversation
Francesco arrives at a small bakery.
- FrancescoBuongiorno, siete aperti?Good morning, are you open?
- ChiaraSì, prego, entri pure.Yes, please, come on in.
- FrancescoGrazie, vorrei un cornetto.Thank you, I would like a croissant.
- ChiaraCertamente, Francesco.Certainly, Francesco.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries siete, CC BY-SA 4.0.
