Ciao! If you find yourself in Italy and you’re eager to order your favorite meal to go, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we’ll explore the different ways you can say “order to go” in Italian, whether you want to be formal or informal. We’ll also provide you with a variety of helpful tips and examples. So, without further ado, let’s dive right in!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say “Order to Go”
If you prefer a more formal approach when ordering your food to go, you can make use of the following phrases:
- Prendere da asporto – This expression translates directly to “to take away” and is widely used in restaurants and cafes.
- Portare via – This phrase literally means “to carry away” and is also commonly used when requesting food to go.
- Posso avere il cibo da portare via? – This sentence translates to “Can I have the food to take away?” and is another polite way of placing your order.
Tips:
When using these formal expressions, it’s important to be courteous and maintain a polite tone. Here are a few additional tips:
If you want to sound even more polite, you can add “per favore” (pronounced “pear fah-vo-reh”) at the end of your sentence. This means “please” and is always appreciated!
Remember to use the appropriate formal pronouns:
- Use “Lei” (pronounced “lay”) when referring to “you” in a polite way.
- Use the formal form of verbs, like “può” (can), when addressing someone politely.
Examples:
Let’s take a look at some examples of how to use these formal phrases:
Scusi, posso prendere il caffè da asporto? (Excuse me, can I have the coffee to go?)
Salve, può portare via la pizza per favore? (Hello, can you take away the pizza, please?)
Informal Ways to Say “Order to Go”
If you’re in a more casual setting or feel comfortable using informal expressions, you can use the following phrases:
- Da portar via – This is a shortened version of “prendere da asporto” and is commonly used among friends and younger individuals.
- Posso avere il cibo da asporto? – This phrase is similar to its formal counterpart but is used in a more relaxed setting.
- Posso prendere una pizza da asporto? – This sentence translates to “Can I get a pizza to go?” and is a common way of ordering takeout pizza.
Tips:
When using informal expressions, it’s important to remember the following:
Italians tend to appreciate a friendly tone, so a smile and a polite “per favore” can go a long way, even in informal situations.
Examples:
Here are a few examples of informal phrases you can use when ordering to go:
Hey, posso prendere la pasta da portar via? (Hey, can I get the pasta to go?)
Ciao, da asporto il gelato? (Hi, is the gelato available to take away?)
Regional Variations
Italian is known for its regional variations, and this includes different ways of saying “order to go” depending on the area you’re in. While the phrases mentioned earlier are widely understood throughout Italy, there are some regional alternatives worth mentioning:
In parts of Northern Italy, you may hear the phrase “prendere via” instead of “prendere da asporto.”
In Southern Italy, “porto via” can also be used instead of “portare via.”
These regional variations are not essential for everyday conversations, but they may come in handy if you find yourself in a specific location where they’re commonly used. Regardless, the standard phrases mentioned earlier will be perfectly understood across the country.
And that’s all you need to know about saying “order to go” in Italian! Whether you’re using a formal or informal approach, you’re now equipped with the right phrases and tips to confidently place your order. Buon appetito!
