A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "Could i have more water" in Italian
Politely ask for more water at an Italian restaurant.
Potrei avere dell'altra acqua, per favore?
po-TRAY ah-VEH-reh del-LAH-kwah pehr fah-VOH-rehneutral
Italian TTS · 0:01
Use this when your water glass is empty or nearly empty. It's a polite and standard way to signal you'd like a refill or a new bottle.
Alternatives
- Mi porta dell'altra acqua, per favore?Slightly more direct, asking the waiter to bring it.
- Ancora acqua, per favore.More concise, good if you've already established a rapport.
Ways to get it wrong
Confusing 'potrei' with 'could'
'Potrei' means 'I could,' but in this context, it's the most natural way to ask 'could I have.'
Omitting 'per favore'
Always add 'per favore' (please) to soften requests and show politeness.
A small cultural note
In Italy, water is often brought to the table in a bottle (bottled water) or a carafe (tap water, though this is less common in some areas). Specify if you have a preference, though 'acqua' alone usually implies bottled.
Frequently asked
How to ask for tap water in Italy?
You can ask for 'acqua del rubinetto' or 'acqua dal rubinetto'. However, be aware that many restaurants primarily serve bottled water.
What's the difference between 'acqua naturale' and 'acqua frizzante'?
'Acqua naturale' is still or non-sparkling water, while 'acqua frizzante' is sparkling or fizzy water.
Is it rude to ask for more water?
No, it's perfectly normal to ask for more water if your glass is empty. Using 'per favore' makes it polite.
