A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "Can i try it on" in Italian
Ask to try on clothes or shoes in an Italian shop with this simple, direct phrase.
Posso provarlo?
POS-so pro-VAR-loneutral
Italian TTS · 0:01
Use this when you're in a clothing store or shoe shop and want to ask if you can try something on before buying. It's polite and gets straight to the point.
Alternatives
- Posso dare un'occhiata?Use this if you want to ask 'can I have a look?' before deciding to try something on.
- Posso metterlo?Slightly more casual, but still perfectly fine in most shops.
Ways to get it wrong
Confusing 'provare' with 'to prove'
'Provare' means 'to try on' or 'to try out', not 'to prove' (which is 'dimostrare').
Incorrect pronoun placement
The pronoun 'lo' (it) attaches to the infinitive 'provare', making 'provarlo'. Don't say 'provare lo'.
A small cultural note
Italians generally expect you to try on clothes before buying, so don't feel shy about asking. The fitting rooms are usually clearly marked.
Frequently asked
can i say 'vorrei provarlo' instead?
Yes, 'Vorrei provarlo?' is a slightly more polite way to ask, using the conditional 'I would like'. It's a good alternative if you want to be extra courteous.
