A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "Could you repeat that" in Italian
Learn how to politely ask someone to repeat themselves in Italian with this essential phrasebook entry, featuring audio-ready phonetic spelling.
Potrebbe ripetere, per favore?
poh-TREB-beh ree-PEH-teh-reh pehr fah-VOH-rehformal
Italian TTS · 0:01
Use this phrase when you are interacting with a waiter in a restaurant, a ticket agent at a train station, or a shopkeeper and missed what they said. It strikes the perfect balance of politeness and clarity without sounding overly stiff. It is ideal for navigating everyday transactional encounters across Italy where you need a moment to catch up.
Alternatives
- Puoi ripetere?better when speaking to peers, children, or in highly casual social settings
- Come, scusa?a shorter, very informal way to say 'What was that?' among friends
- Come prego?a quick, polite shorthand used widely in shops and restaurants
Ways to get it wrong
Using 'Cosa?' abruptly
Saying 'Cosa?' (What?) can sound blunt or rude to Italian ears; always soften it with 'scusa' or use the full polite phrase instead.
Sticking to the informal 'puoi' with strangers
English speakers often default to the 'tu' form, but using 'Puoi ripetere?' with a barista or hotel clerk can sound accidentally presumptuous.
A small cultural note
In Italy, making eye contact and using a pleasant tone matters just as much as the words themselves; dropping a quick 'prego' or 'per favore' instantly signals goodwill and patience.
Frequently asked
how do you ask a waiter to repeat something in italian
The best phrase to use is 'Potrebbe ripetere, per favore?'. It shows respect to the staff while clearly signaling that you need them to say it one more time.
difference between puoi ripetere and potrebbe ripetere
'Puoi ripetere' uses the informal 'tu' for friends and peers, while 'potrebbe ripetere' uses the formal 'Lei' for strangers and professionals. Always default to 'potrebbe' in shops and restaurants to be safe.
is saying cosa rude in italy
Yes, simply barking 'Cosa?' when you don't hear someone can come across as impatient or uncultured. It is much better to use 'Come?' or the full polite phrase 'Potrebbe ripetere?'.
