A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "Could i see that one" in Italian
Ask to see an item in a shop with this polite and common Italian phrase.
Potrei vedere quello?
pot-RAY-eh veh-DEH-reh kwel-LOHneutral
Italian TTS · 0:01
Use this when you're in a shop and want to examine an item more closely. It's perfect for clothing stores, markets, or anywhere you're browsing.
Alternatives
- Posso vedere quello?Slightly more direct, but still very common and polite.
- Mi fai vedere quello?More casual, best used with shopkeepers you know or in very informal settings.
Ways to get it wrong
Potrei vs Posso
'Potrei' is conditional, 'Posso' is present tense; both work well here, but 'Potrei' is a touch more polite.
Vedere vs Vedo
You need the infinitive 'vedere' (to see) after 'potrei' or 'posso', not the first-person 'vedo' (I see).
A small cultural note
Italians often appreciate a bit of preamble before asking to see something, like a 'Scusi' (Excuse me) or a quick compliment on the item.
Frequently asked
How to say 'could I see this one' in Italian?
Use 'Potrei vedere questo?' for 'this one' or 'Potrei vedere quello?' for 'that one'. 'Quello' is generally more common when pointing or referring to something slightly further away.
Is 'Potrei vedere quello?' polite enough?
Yes, 'Potrei vedere quello?' is a perfectly polite and standard way to ask in shops. It uses the conditional tense which adds a layer of politeness.
What's the difference between 'quello' and 'questo'?
'Questo' means 'this' and refers to something close to you. 'Quello' means 'that' and refers to something further away or already indicated.
