posso avere
The English phrase 'can I have' is translated to Italian as posso avere.
posso avere is a polite way to ask for something or request an item. However, when you are in a service setting like a restaurant and ordering food, Italians often use posso prendere (can I take) or vorrei (I would like) instead.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase posso avere is composed of the first-person singular present indicative of potere (to be able to/can) and the infinitive avere (to have).
How does it change in a sentence?
In Italian, questions are formed by changing the intonation rather than changing the word order. Therefore, posso avere is used for both the statement 'I can have' and the question 'Can I have?'
Did you know?
- Italian uses avere to express age. When asking 'how old are you', an Italian asks 'how many years do you have' using quanti anni hai.
- While posso avere asks for an item, Italians often use the verb prendere (to take) when ordering food. To an English speaker, saying 'can I take this pasta' might sound like you are stealing it, but in Italian it is the standard polite request.
- If you want to be even more formal than posso avere, you can use the conditional form potrei avere, which means 'could I have'. This is often used when speaking to strangers or people in high authority.
Examples in context
- Ne posso avere uno?Can I have one?This sentence shows how to ask for a single item using posso avere.Tatoeba #6571684 by Guybrush88, translation #2470629 by Hybrid
- Ehi, lo posso avere?Hey, can I have that?This sentence shows how to use posso avere when pointing to a specific object.Tatoeba #9039731 by Guybrush88, translation #3575383 by CK
- Posso avere da bere?Can I have a drink?This sentence shows how to use posso avere to request a drink.Tatoeba #9734836 by Guybrush88, translation #9718699 by ariarin
- Potrei avere un caffè per favore?Can I have a coffee, please?
- Potrei avere il menu, per cortesia?May I have the menu, please?
- Sarebbe possibile avere una copia del contratto?Would it be possible for me to have a copy of the contract?
- Sarebbe possibile avere il conto, per favore?Could I have the bill, please?
- Posso avere una penna, per favore?Can I have a pen, please?
- Posso avere del pane?Can I have some bread?
- Mi dai un pezzo di torta?Can I have a piece of cake?
- Mi dai i tuoi appunti?Can I have your notes?
- 103 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Giulia is ordering at a café.
- GiuliaBuongiorno, posso avere un caffè?Good morning, can I have a coffee?
- AlessandroCertamente, lo desidera macchiato?Certainly, would you like it with a splash of milk?
- GiuliaSì, e posso avere anche un cornetto?Yes, and can I also have a croissant?
- AlessandroSì, arrivano subito per lei, Giulia.Yes, they will be ready for you shortly, Giulia.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
